Horseshoe Crab
Limulus polyphemus
Horseshoe crabs are often referred to as living fossils, as they have changed little in the last 445 million years
The blue blood of the horseshoe crab is used extensively in medical research and testing.
Enzymes from horseshoe crab blood are used by astronauts in the International Space Station to test surfaces for unwanted bacteria and fungi.
Limulus has been extensively used in research into the physiology of vision.
There is a large compound eye on each side of the prosoma with monochromatic vision, five simple eyes on the carapace, and two simple eyes on the underside, just in front of the mouth, making a total of nine eyes.
The tail has a series of light-sensing organs along its length.
The blue blood of the horseshoe crab is used extensively in medical research and testing.
Enzymes from horseshoe crab blood are used by astronauts in the International Space Station to test surfaces for unwanted bacteria and fungi.
Limulus has been extensively used in research into the physiology of vision.
There is a large compound eye on each side of the prosoma with monochromatic vision, five simple eyes on the carapace, and two simple eyes on the underside, just in front of the mouth, making a total of nine eyes.
The tail has a series of light-sensing organs along its length.
