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Horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus Near threatened
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Horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus Near threatened
Horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. Near threatened.. Handcolored copperplate zoological engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, 1792
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Media ID 14218248
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Crab Crustacean Frederick Horseshoe Limulus Miscellany Naturalist Near Nodder Polyphemus Shaw Threatened Zoological
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This exquisitely handcolored copperplate engraving depicts the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus, a Near Threatened crustacean species native to the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The image is taken from George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's "The Naturalist's Miscellany," published in 1792. The Horseshoe Crab, named for its distinctive horseshoe-shaped body and large, bulbous eyes, is not a true crab but rather a close relative of the spider crabs and the true crabs. The Horseshoe Crab plays an essential role in the food chain as a predator and scavenger, feeding on worms, mollusks, and other marine invertebrates. Its blue, copper-based blood is also of great importance to modern medicine, as it is used in the production of Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), a compound that detects bacterial endotoxins in medical and pharmaceutical products. Despite its ecological significance and historical importance, the Horseshoe Crab population has been declining due to habitat loss, overexploitation, and incidental capture in commercial fisheries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the Horseshoe Crab as Near Threatened, with populations continuing to decline. This beautiful and intricately detailed engraving not only serves as a historical record of the Horseshoe Crab but also highlights the importance of preserving this fascinating and ecologically significant species for future generations. The Naturalist's Miscellany, with its high-quality illustrations, was a significant contribution to the scientific community during the late 18th century, providing a record of various species and expanding the collective knowledge of the natural world.
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