Washed Up Horseshoe Crab
by Carolyn Derstine
Title
Washed Up Horseshoe Crab
Artist
Carolyn Derstine
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Horseshoe crabs live primarily in and around shallow coastal waters on soft sand and muddy bottoms. Unfortunately, this horseshoe crab met its fate by being washed up on the shores of Ocean City, New Jersey. . .upside down. While beachgoers are familiar with their horseshoe-shaped shell and pointed tail, this upside down viewpoint allows a rare look at the underside anatomy of this marine arthropod. The horseshoe crab has five pairs of legs with claws on the ends, except for the last pair which are used more for pushing along the seafloor. The mouth is located in the center of the legs, whose bases are referred to as gnathobases and have the same function as jaws and help grind up food. Behind its legs, the horseshoe crab has book gills, which exchange respiratory gases, and are also occasionally used for swimming. Cartilaginous plates help support the book gills. Because of their origin 450 million years ago, horseshoe crabs are considered living fossils.
Uploaded
October 30th, 2018
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