Conservation Status

Why they are important?

Horseshoe crabs are of important medical value. For over 50 years, they have been used in eye research because of their large compound eyes and large optic nerve. Besides, the blue blood of horseshoe crabs can be used for fast and effective drug testing. Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) found in their blood is used to test medical products for the presence of bacteria. Scientists keep finding new substances in the blood of horseshoe crabs that are valuable for different medical uses.

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