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  • Head-on view of a large female Joro spider (Nephilia clavata), a type of golden silk orb-weaver spider common in Japan during the autumn. From this angle, the spider’s chelicerae, or jaws, are clearly visible. These deliver a neurotoxin similar to that of a black widow spider, but not as potent.
    nephilia-clavata-joro-spider-japan-2...tif
  • A large sea spider brought up in a fishing net from a depth of 300 to 400 meters in Suruga Bay off the west coast of the Izu Peninsula, Japan. The sea spider was alive and active, crawling back toward deep water when I released it.
    deep-sea-spider-ascorhynchus-japonic...tif
  • These spider crabs are relatively common throughout Southeast Asia. They resemble another type of undescribed Oncinopus sp., which is hairy and are commonly referred to as orangutan crabs (often incorrectly identified as Achaeus japonicus, which is a different species). These crabs do not have hair, however. They appear spongy, ranging from pale red to yellow in color. In addition, their eyes are white, whereas the eyes of orangutan crabs are red. These crabs also tend to be out in the open, while orangutan crabs are most often found in association with bubble coral or anemones. The stance, demeanor and gait of these crabs remind me of King Kong, hence my nickname for them, King Kong crabs.
    undescribed-oncinopus-crab-king-kong...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) moving across the ocean bottom, with the larger female in front and the male clasped onto the rear. The tips of some of the animals’ legs are visible.<br />
<br />
The female is searching for a location to spawn. Once she finds a place that she likes, she burrows partially into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Such spawning occurs repetitively. When searching in this manner, horseshoe crabs can travel at a relatively rapid pace. Otherwise, they tend to move slowly, as evidenced by the gastropod that has crawled on top of the male’s head.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a top-down view of a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is clasped onto the rear of the female, preparing to fertilize eggs that she will deposit. Seen here, the female is still burrowing into the substrate. She will dig deeper, until her primary compound eyes and most of her prosoma is buried. The bubbles are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation.<br />
<br />
Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that substantial quantities of air are present in the sediment. It is also the reason that the water is murky and somewhat hazy, as there is mixing of fresh water flowing in from land.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is clearly visible, clasped onto the rear of the female. He is fertilizing eggs being deposited by the female, whose head is buried in the substrate.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
Note the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other similar passengers seem relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The larger female in front has just started to burrow into the substrate to deposit eggs, with the smaller male attached to the rear.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air, which were sometimes released when the horseshoe crabs became active. Such liberated gas sometimes passes through the carapace of the female, resulting in the illusion of exhalation. Here it appears almost as if the female crab is venting air.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The male stays attached in this manner throughout the reproductive season, going wherever the female goes.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is visible in his entirety, attached to the rear of the female. The female (much larger than the male) has burrowed into the substrate, with her head and most of her torso buried. She is in the process of depositing eggs, with the male fertilizing them.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air. Digging and other activity by the female releases the trapped air, which bubbles up as seen in this image.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The larger female is in front, the smaller male attached to the rear. <br />
<br />
During spring high tide, pairs like this move to shallow water. They remain largely motionless. When the time comes for spawning, the female digs into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning occurs repetitively.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air, which were sometimes released when the horseshoe crabs became active. The escaped gas bubbled up and emerged from the muck, sometimes passing through the carapace of the female, resulting in the illusion of exhalation, as pictured here.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) preparing to spawn. The larger female in front has chosen a place to deposit eggs. She has just commenced digging. The bubbles are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation. Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that air is present in the sediment. The smaller male is firmly affixed to the female’s opisthosoma. He will fertilize the eggs she deposits, and then the pair will move on to find another location to spawn again.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. They are walking along the ocean bottom in shallow water, with the larger female in front searching for a place to deposit eggs, which will be fertilized by the smaller male attached to the rear.<br />
<br />
The tips of the horseshoe crabs’ legs are visible in this image. These animals have five pairs of legs used for locomotion—the pedipalps first, followed by three pairs of legs in the middle, and a pair of pusher legs at the end. The male’s pedipalps are modified into a pair of claspers used to grasp the female as seen here. <br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
In the shallow intertidal area where this photograph was taken, pockets of air were trapped in the gravel and mud. Digging by female horseshoe crabs sometimes releases some of the air, as seen in this image. Note also the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other passengers seem to be relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) moving across the ocean floor together prior to engaging in spawning. The larger female is in front, the smaller male attached to the rear. <br />
<br />
During spring high tide, pairs like this move to shallow water. They remain largely motionless, though they do move from time to time as depicted here. When the time comes for spawning, the female digs into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning occurs repetitively.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) preparing to spawn. The larger female in front has chosen a place to deposit eggs. She has just commenced digging. The bubbles streaming up from between her prosoma and opisthosoma are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation. Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that air is present in the sediment. The smaller male is firmly affixed to the female’s opisthosoma. He will fertilize the eggs she deposits, and then the pair will move on to find another location to spawn again.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a close-up view of a male tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) that is in the process of fertilizing eggs being deposited by the female in the substrate beneath the male. The female has burrowed into the mud and gravel, with her head and most of her torso buried.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
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