Horseshoe Crabs

Smith, Stephen A.

doi:10.1002/9780470960806.ch10

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…KCl, xylazine, or ketamine injection into the hemolymph sinus) are either controversial or expensive (Leary et al, 2013). Published recommendations for euthanasia specific to horseshoe crabs include pentobarbital injection (390 mg, 1-2 ml/animal) into the cardiac sinus or destruction of the dorsal ganglion located on the dorsal midline between the eyes (Smith, 2012). Success of the dorsal ganglion method is very dependent on proper user technique and time to death after crushing is unknown.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Success of the dorsal ganglion method is very dependent on proper user technique and time to death after crushing is unknown. Respiratory, cardiac, and cerebral arrest occurs within 30 seconds after pentobarbital injection (Smith, 2012), but the controlled drug is not always readily available.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species-specific medical practices allow clinicians to provide the optimal quality of care for each patient. There are limited published research or review articles regarding best practices for caring for the American Horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, despite this marine invertebrate's common use as a laboratory animal and in public aquaria (Smith et al, 2002;Leibovitz and Lewbart, 2004;Smith and Berkson, 2005;Gore et al, 2006;Smith, 2012;Tuxbury et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peer Review #2 of "Histological evaluation of five suture materials in the telson ligament of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) (v0.1)"

2019

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An ideal suture material supports healing, minimizes inflammation, and decreases the likelihood of secondary infection. While there are published recommendations for suture materials in some invertebrates, there are no published recommendations for Limulus polyphemus or any chelicerate. This study evaluates the histological reaction of horseshoe crabs to five commonly used suture materials: monofilament nylon, silk, poliglecaprone, polydioxanone, and polyglycolic acid. None of the materials were superior with regards to holding nor was there any dehiscence. Nylon evoked the least amount of tissue reaction. This work also provides a histopathological description of the soft membrane at the hinge area between the opisthosoma and telson (telson ligament) and comments on euthanasia with intracardiac eugenol.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peer Review #2 of "Histological evaluation of five suture materials in the telson ligament of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) (v0.1)"

2019

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“…The American horseshoe crab is commonly used in touch tank exhibits in public aquaria, and captive husbandry guidelines have been published (Smith & Berkson 2005, Smith et al 2011. Non-infectious diseases of captive horseshoe crabs include traumatic injuries, nutritional deficiencies leading to hypoprotein emia, and ammonia toxicity secondary to poor water quality (Smith 2012). Infectious agents reported in both wild and captive individuals include bacteria, parasites, algae (Leibovitz & Lewbart 1987), and cyanobacteria (Leibovitz 1986), with shell or carapace disease being a common problem (Smith 2012).…”

Section: Abstract: Limulus Polyphemus • Fusarium Solani • Branchitismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Non-infectious diseases of captive horseshoe crabs include traumatic injuries, nutritional deficiencies leading to hypoprotein emia, and ammonia toxicity secondary to poor water quality (Smith 2012). Infectious agents reported in both wild and captive individuals include bacteria, parasites, algae (Leibovitz & Lewbart 1987), and cyanobacteria (Leibovitz 1986), with shell or carapace disease being a common problem (Smith 2012). Fungal disease has only been reported in captive animals (Leibovitz & Lewbart 2003, Densmore et al 2005, Allender et al 2008, Smith 2012.…”

Section: Abstract: Limulus Polyphemus • Fusarium Solani • Branchitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Fusarium solani species complex associated with carapace lesions and branchitis in captive American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus

Tuxbury¹,

Shaw²,

Montali³

et al. 2014

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Captive American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus housed at the National Aquarium presented with a variety of shell and gill lesions over a 3 yr period. Carapace lesions were located on both the dorsal and ventral prosoma and opisthosoma and included multifocal circular areas of tan discoloration, ulcerations, and/or pitting lesions, extending from superficial to full thickness. Gill lesions involved both the book gill cover (operculum) and individual book gill leaflets and included multifocal circular areas of tan discoloration, tan to off-white opaque proliferative lesions, and/or areas of black discoloration. Histopathology revealed fungal hyphae, with variable morphology throughout the thickened and irregular cuticle of the carapace and occasionally penetrating into subcuticular tissues, with associated amebocytic inflammation. Book gill leaflets were infiltrated by fungal hyphae and contained necrotic debris and amebocytes. Thirty-eight of 39 animals (97%) evaluated via histopathological examination had intralesional fungal hyphae. Fungal cultures of carapace and gill lesions were attempted in 26 tissue samples from 15 individuals and were positive in 13 samples (50%), with 10 cultures (77%) yielding identification to genus. Fusarium sp. was identified in 8 of the 10 cultures (80%) via culture morphology. The Fusarium solani species complex was confirmed in 6 of these 8 (75%) via polymerase chain reaction amplification of 2 different ribosomal-specific sequences of isolated fungal DNA. Ante-mortem systemic and topical treatments were performed on some affected individuals, but no appreciable change in lesions was observed. Mycotic dermatitis and branchitis are serious health issues for captive American horseshoe crabs.

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