A Holistic Approach to Horseshoe Crab Biology by Studying Easily-reared Larvae

 

Kathleen Nolan, Mamuna Faizi, Alina Zhyvotovska, Lauren Clark, James Foo, Neeti Bathala, Sixto Portilla, John Tanacredi, & Mark Botton

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2013, Volume 34

Supplemental Materials:

Abstract

During this workshop, participants will explore recording the body contractions of horseshoe crab larvae that have been placed in five salinities ranging from 0-50 ppt. This will be conducted in petri dishes under a dissection scope. This experiment will set the tone for studying horseshoe crab biology. Background information will be provided on the horseshoe crab, including medicinal uses and their decline due to overharvesting. Sources of larval horseshoe crabs will be suggested. This workshop is part of a holistic approach to learning about an ancient species in decline. We suggest to the students that the results are important in lieu of increased harvesting pressure and possible ecological changes in salinity due to climate change. For example there may be a decrease in salinity over time due to increased rains that could result from climate change. We also discuss selective pressure and evolution with them. We invite them to explore additional experiments that could be conducted to further fine-tune our knowledge of the horseshoe crab and its biology.

Keywords:  horseshoe crab larvae, inquiry-based experiments, invertebrates

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2012)