Horseshoe crabs (family Limulidae, order Xiphosura or Xiphosurida) are arthropods
that live primarily in and around shallow ocean waters on soft sandy or
muddy bottoms. They occasionally come onto shore to mate. They are
commonly used as bait and in fertilizer.
In recent years, a decline in
the number of individuals has occurred as a consequence of coastal
habitat destruction in Japan and overharvesting along the east coast of
North America. Tetrodotoxin may be present in the roe of species inhabiting the waters of Thailand.[2]
Horseshoe crabs are considered living fossils.[3]
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