Post by Tara on Jan 22, 2005 19:11:34 GMT -5
Miracle Pets, the TV show was on and they were talking about how horseshoe crab blood (which is sapphire blue) is used to help test bacterial contamination in medicine. (check it out here)
I think that's so interesting. This stuff cannot be reproduced in a lab and so it's like we really need these things.
When I was smaller, I looked forward to going to local science centers to check out the horseshoe crab. This thing has quite a history.
From Horseshoecrab.org
Limulus polyphemus
For many, the horseshoe crab is a childhood acquaintance, first introduced by a fierce-looking shell on a sandy beach.
For ecologists, the horseshoe is an important creature — a vastly adaptable generalist that predates most species on the planet, with a lifecyle that is interlocked with other animals.
For the scientist, the limuli are an intriguing puzzle, offering insights into evolution, bacteria, vision and species- interdependence.
you can also learn about the (oh-no, an evil word in much of the religious community) evolution of the horseshoe crab.
Anyway, these things were cool to me...I guess because of their strange look. Other "crazy" creatures to me are the seahorse and the nautilus. Both the nautilus and the horseshoe crab are considered "living fossils".
Seahorse males are the ones that give birth. ;D
How about anyone else...did anyone around here have an interest in strange sea creatures?
I think that's so interesting. This stuff cannot be reproduced in a lab and so it's like we really need these things.
When I was smaller, I looked forward to going to local science centers to check out the horseshoe crab. This thing has quite a history.
From Horseshoecrab.org
Limulus polyphemus
For many, the horseshoe crab is a childhood acquaintance, first introduced by a fierce-looking shell on a sandy beach.
For ecologists, the horseshoe is an important creature — a vastly adaptable generalist that predates most species on the planet, with a lifecyle that is interlocked with other animals.
For the scientist, the limuli are an intriguing puzzle, offering insights into evolution, bacteria, vision and species- interdependence.
you can also learn about the (oh-no, an evil word in much of the religious community) evolution of the horseshoe crab.
Anyway, these things were cool to me...I guess because of their strange look. Other "crazy" creatures to me are the seahorse and the nautilus. Both the nautilus and the horseshoe crab are considered "living fossils".
Seahorse males are the ones that give birth. ;D
How about anyone else...did anyone around here have an interest in strange sea creatures?
