Narrative

Horseshoe Crabs (Class Xiphosura or class Merostomata) are an ancient group of marine creatures that are probably more closely related to spiders than crustaceans. The genus Limulus was found as far back as the Triassic period. The only species found in the Atlantic Ocean is Limulus polyphemus, which is found from Maine to Texas, along the Mexican coast, and further south. Horseshoe crabs can be quite large; females reach two feet in length. Horseshoe Crabs crawl along sand bottoms, and are protected by their large dorsal shells.

Taxonomy

References