This post documents the behaviour of juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) based on observations made at an inter-tidal mudflat at Ha Pak Nai, Deep Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong.
All observable juvenile horseshoe crab activity on the mudflat appears to be synchronized with the tides. When the tide comes in, the juveniles bury themselves in the substrate. When the tide recedes, they emerge to forage.
In terms of juvenile horseshoe crab locomotion, two principal types of locomotion are observed – foraging in the substrate and walking on the substrate. This post covers both foraging and walking activity, which result in tail mark impressions being left in the substrate.
An examination of many of these marks highlights the importance of the tail (telson) in navigation, showing how the tail is used in changing direction and turning.
Even a juvenile (1.5 cm prosoma width) with a reduced tail can leave a substantial tail mark, highlighting the important role the tail has in turning. See below:
Images to highlight the role of the tail in turning. See below:
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