Nest-Site Selection in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus

• DOI: 10.2307/1542294
• Publication Date: 2007-01-23T05:25:27Z
• Authors: D. Penn; H. J. Brockmann
• Keywords: Horseshoe crab; Polyphemus; Elevation (ballistics)

Like a number of other species, horseshoe crabs lay their eggs on beaches in the intertidal zone. The elevation beach which they nest differs among populations. We examined two factors that potentially affect egg survival at different elevations: erosion and rate development. found no evidence buried elevations incur risks by wave action. However, optimal for development differed between our study sites, Florida Delaware, difference was related to morphology. Rate increased with oxygen concentration, redox potential, temperature, all three these changed elevation. nests lower failed develop, especially Florida, where fine-grained poorly drained. upper were prone dessication, course-grained well-drained. This means differencces sites location coincided crab preferences nestsite selection. suggest synchronize nesting tides reach aerobic sediments beach, resulting patterns differ differences tidal regimes