Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda
Family Limulidae
Size: up to 40 cm in length (plus tail)
The horseshoe crab is a survivor unlike other mangrove animal alive today. It is what biologists call a 'living fossil' an organism which has remained basically unchanged for millions of years! In fact, fossils of horseshoe crabs over 400 million years old look almost identical to the species alive today. Slow and steady nonetheless, they have withstood the ultimate challenge Mother Nature has thrown at them - the test of time!Mangrove horseshoe crabs are basically scavengers, but they also feed on bivalves. They are found throughout Southeast Asia. The telson or tail is used to right itself up when overturned and not as a weapon as some believe!Their large eggs, which hatch into miniature versions of the adults, are laid in the upper parts of the mangroves. Males (usually much smaller than females), cling on to and follow their potential mates around for long periods before egg-laying. Not surprisingly, some locals identify this crab with matrimonial fidelity.
The eggs of these crabs are eaten in some areas, with locals cutting open the body and eating the unlaid eggs directly after cooking. There have been some reports, however, of the crabs being toxic. The blood of the crab is important in the biomedical world as a purified version can help detect baterial toxins, important in disease detection as well as ensuring the cleanliness of equipment.Edited From: http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/2076.htm
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.
- Steve Jobs
No comments:
Post a Comment