Journal of Emerging Scholarship

Horseshoe Crabs (HSC), Limulus Polyphemus, are arthropods that have existed for millions of years. These animals play an important role in the ecosystem as they are a food source for a variety of species, including sharks, sea turtles, and bony fish. Additionally, their eggs provide a crucial food source for migratory shorebirds and their blood contains a compound Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) that is used in biomedical research to test injectable drugs for bacterial contamination. HSCs have undergone very little structural change throughout evolution, but are now exposed to a variety of factors including pollution and changing water chemistry due to human activity and climate change. A number of studies have tracked spawning behaviors in nature, but there is still much to learn about other behaviors and how they respond to various environmental changes. The ability to conduct studies in a controlled environment is an important tool in studying these ancient organisms. In this study, HSCs have been successfully established and maintained in laboratory culture, a stable diet established and initial feeding studies have been conducted.