The "English Lady Crab" is a colloquial term used to refer to the Limulus polyphemus, more commonly known as the Atlantic horseshoe crab. It is a marine creature belonging to the arthropod class Merostomata and is found along the eastern coast of North America, particularly in the English Channel and the surrounding waters.
The English Lady Crab is renowned for its unique appearance, featuring a large horseshoe-shaped carapace and a long, pointed tail. Its body is covered in a hard exoskeleton and is typically brown or greenish-blue in color. Females are larger than males, growing up to 24 inches in length, while males tend to reach around 19 inches. Despite being called a crab, the English Lady Crab is more closely related to spiders and scorpions.
These crabs typically reside in shallow coastal waters, where they prefer sandy or muddy substrates. The English Lady Crab is a primarily nocturnal species, feeding on various bottom-dwelling organisms such as clams, worms, and small crustaceans. It is also known for its impressive ability to regenerate its body parts, including its limbs and carapace.
The English Lady Crab is of ecological importance as it serves as a vital part of the food chain. Its eggs provide sustenance for a variety of marine species, including migratory shorebirds. Additionally, its blue-colored copper-based blood contains a powerful antibacterial agent called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which is used to test for bacterial contamination in medical applications. Consequently, these crabs are often harvested for their blood for this purpose, contributing to their conservation concerns. Overall, the English Lady Crab plays a crucial role in both the marine ecosystem and medical field.
