Classification
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Merostomata
Order: Xiphosura
Family: Limulidae
Genus: Limulus
Species: Limulus Polyphemus
Common Name: Horseshoe Crab
Class: Merostomata
Order: Xiphosura
Family: Limulidae
Genus: Limulus
Species: Limulus Polyphemus
Common Name: Horseshoe Crab
MOrphology
Horseshoe crabs have three primary parts of the body including the prosoma, opisthosoma, and the telson. The prosoma is the head region. While the opidthosoma is the abdominal and telson is the tail end region. Structure includes 2 compound eyes located on the top of the shell with a close distant range of only about 3 feet. The photoreceptor array often intimidates people but its harmless.
Biology
For adaptations of survival horseshoe crabs migrate in groups. The males accompany the females when the egg fertilization process begins. They help by escorting them to the shoreline, there is known to be 14 males to 1 female. What a great bodyguarding system! Horseshoe crabs can tolerate variations in temperature and high salintity levels. Another awesome factor of adaptation is burrowing. These are some of the largest orgainisms that can bury themselves in a sandy enviroment. Burrowing also protects the eggs and increases their survival.
Distribution of horseshoe crabs
importance
Horseshoe crab blood is highly economically important. Their blood is used in cancer research and a quart is worth $15,000. Instead of red blood like most other mammals, horseshoe crabs have blue blood. The reason their blood is blue is because it contains copper instead of iron. Horseshoe crabs also play an important role ecologically because many organisms feed on their eggs.
Interesting facts
1. In the early 1900s, horseshoe crabs were dried and used as fertilizer and poultry food supplements before the invention of artificial fertilizers.
2. Their blood not only is used for cancer research, but for testing the purity of medicines.
3. The horseshoe crab is more related to a spider than a crab.
4. Horseshoe crabs are living fossils.
5. Their population is declining.
2. Their blood not only is used for cancer research, but for testing the purity of medicines.
3. The horseshoe crab is more related to a spider than a crab.
4. Horseshoe crabs are living fossils.
5. Their population is declining.
vocabulary
1. Fossil- The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form as a mold or cast in rock.
2. Arachnid- an arthropod of the class Arachnida , such as a spider or scorpion. ( closely related to the horseshoe crab )
3. Carapace- the hard upper shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid.
4. Prosoma- another term for cephalothorax ( the fused head and thorax of spiders and other chelicerate arthropods )
5. Pedipalps- each of the second pair of appendages attached to the cephalothorax of most arachnids. They are variously specified as pincers in scorpions, sensory organs in spiders, and locomotory organs in horseshoe crabs.
2. Arachnid- an arthropod of the class Arachnida , such as a spider or scorpion. ( closely related to the horseshoe crab )
3. Carapace- the hard upper shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid.
4. Prosoma- another term for cephalothorax ( the fused head and thorax of spiders and other chelicerate arthropods )
5. Pedipalps- each of the second pair of appendages attached to the cephalothorax of most arachnids. They are variously specified as pincers in scorpions, sensory organs in spiders, and locomotory organs in horseshoe crabs.
Resources
arkive http://www.arkive.org/
bioweb https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/
a-z animals http://a-z-animals.com/animals/horseshoe-crab/
bioweb https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/
a-z animals http://a-z-animals.com/animals/horseshoe-crab/
Classification
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Astroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Acanthasteridae
Genus: Acanthaster
Common Name: Crown of Thorns
Class: Astroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Acanthasteridae
Genus: Acanthaster
Common Name: Crown of Thorns
Morphology
The Crown of Thorns Starfish has pentamerous radial symmetry. Pentamerous radial symmetry means the body can be divided into five segments that point outward from the central part of the body. All star fish are considered simple animals. They do not have a brain and special sensing organs. Its named for its venemous, long spikes that protrude from the upper portion of the body. Unlike the typical idea of Starfish the Crown of Torns species has anywhere between 7 to 23 arms.
Biology
Regeneration is the most striking form of adaptation. Starfish have no brain so they aren't injured in attack. The numerous amount of arms have a poisonous venemon that can inflict painful wounds that take a long time to heal. Also their tube feet can be considered an adaptation of survival because that is their way to migrate. Tube feet help in other ways too like gas functions and feeding.
Distribution in Crown of thorns
importance
The ecological importance of the Crown of Thorns is that they eat coral reefs allowing the slower growing coral to form colonies. It increases the diversity of the coral reefs as well. Economically these starfish play an outstanding role for places like Australia. Crown of Thorns is a great tourist attraction. People come from miles around to visit these colorful creatures. You can imagine the cost of booking flights and scuba diving trips.
facts
1. Most starfish have 5 arms, but this bad boy can have up to 30.
2. They can eat up to 6 meters of coral reef a day.
3. Crown of Thorns starfish is nocturnal.
4. They can move up to the speed of 20 km an hour.
5. It's the second largest starfish in the world.
2. They can eat up to 6 meters of coral reef a day.
3. Crown of Thorns starfish is nocturnal.
4. They can move up to the speed of 20 km an hour.
5. It's the second largest starfish in the world.
vocabulary
1. Regeneration- the ability to grow a body part that has been lost.
2. Nocturnal- sleeps during the day; awake during the night
3. Tube feet- Muscular extensions that are filled with water that produces locomotion
4. Evisceration- the expulsion of internal organs (stomach) that leaves the body to get food
5. Madreporite- a porous plate on the aboral surface
2. Nocturnal- sleeps during the day; awake during the night
3. Tube feet- Muscular extensions that are filled with water that produces locomotion
4. Evisceration- the expulsion of internal organs (stomach) that leaves the body to get food
5. Madreporite- a porous plate on the aboral surface
resources
gbrmpa
arkive
google images
wikipedia
arkive
google images
wikipedia