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Homepage > Living Laboratory Cape Cod > What we do at BCWC > The Living Fossil of the Ocean

The Living Fossil of the Ocean

November 25, 2020 In What we do at BCWC

What species has been roaming the earth for more than 445 million years and still has significant importance in today’s modern society? They have the word crab in their name but actually are more closely related to spiders. If you have already figured out that we are talking about the infamous Horseshoe crab, you are now probably wondering why they are so important in today’s world besides, the fact that they are a major piece in the coastal water food chain.

Well the short answer is that they are the Sterile Kings and Queens! If you have ever received injections, vaccinations, or had a surgery then you have received help from the horseshoe crabs. This is how it works: medical labs have figured out that they can use a substance in a horseshoe crab’s copper-based bloom called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate. This is then used to ensure that all medical equipment is sterile before being used on patients. So the next time you see this “old” friend along the shoreline, give them a wave and say thank you for their blood donation!

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Barnstable Clean Water Coalition

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Recent Posts

  • Want to know more about PFAS? Drop in for a community forum in Barnstable on Saturday (3/23/23) Friday, 24, Mar
  • For the first time, EPA moves to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water (3/14/23) Tuesday, 14, Mar
  • Proposed septic tax credit would save Cape and Islands residents thousands. Here’s how. (3/7/23) Tuesday, 7, Mar
  • Barnstable Clean Water Coalition needs help counting fish. Why, and what you can do. (3/7/23) Tuesday, 7, Mar
  • Ban bill aims to slow spread of PFAS damage (3/4/23) Saturday, 4, Mar

Popular Posts

  • Proposed septic tax credit would save Cape and Islands residents thousands. Here’s how. (3/7/23) posted 3 weeks ago
  • PFAS are everywhere. Removing them from the Cape’s water supply will not be easy. (3/2/23) posted 4 weeks ago
  • Barnstable Clean Water Coalition needs help counting fish. Why, and what you can do. (3/7/23) posted 3 weeks ago
  • Ban bill aims to slow spread of PFAS damage (3/4/23) posted 3 weeks ago
  • For the first time, EPA moves to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water (3/14/23) posted 2 weeks ago

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