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How are horseshoe crab larvae different from adult horseshoe crabs?
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horseshoe crab
Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).
Horseshoe crab larvae differ from adults in several key developmental stages following their hatching from eggs:1
- First Larval Stage: Newly hatched larvae are approximately 5 mm (0.2 inch) long, lack a tail-spine (telson), and survive by consuming a stored supply of yolk.1
- Second Larval Stage: Individuals develop a short telson, begin to swim for brief periods, and start feeding on small organisms.1
- Third Larval Stage: At this stage, the larvae begin to resemble miniature versions of the adult horseshoe crab.1
Throughout these stages, the larvae undergo molting, where the cuticle splits and is shed to allow for growth. It takes approximately 16 molts and 9 to 12 years for a horseshoe crab to reach sexual maturity.1