Context:
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), in collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, has initiated a project to tag Horseshoe Crabs. This initiative aims to preserve this ancient species by tagging hundreds of crabs to study their population patterns and identify potential threats to their survival.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Horseshoe Crabs
- Horseshoe crabs belong to the family Limulidae and are the sole surviving members of the order Xiphosura.
- They thrive in marine and brackish waters.
- Known as one of the oldest living creatures on Earth, horseshoe crabs first appeared around 250 million years ago, earning them the title of “living fossils.”
Species Distribution
- Global Species: There are four recognized species of horseshoe crabs.
- Tachypleus gigas: Found in Odisha and West Bengal, India.
- Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda: Located in the Sundarbans mangroves of West Bengal.
- Limulus polyphemus: Native to the eastern coast of the USA and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Tachypleus tridentatus: Inhabits the Indo-Pacific region.
Threats and Conservation
- Current Threats: They face risks from destructive fishing practices and illegal smuggling.
- Legal Protection: In India, species are safeguarded under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- IUCN Status:
- American horseshoe crab: Vulnerable.
- Tri-spine horseshoe crab: Endangered.
- The status of the other two species has not yet been evaluated.
Medical Significance
- Medicinal Applications: The carapace is used traditionally to treat scars.
- Scientific Use: Their blood is vital in biomedicine due to its unique blue color and immune cells sensitive to bacterial toxins. These properties are exploited in the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test, crucial for ensuring the safety of vaccines.
Cultural Impact
- Awareness and Conservation: International Horseshoe Crab Day is observed annually on June 20th, highlighting global conservation efforts to protect these ancient mariners.
-Source: The Hindu
