Asian Horseshoe Crabs Biology, Ecology, Conservation, and Utilization

About this book

Asian Horseshoe Crabs: Biology, Ecology, Conservation, and Utilization provides the most updated and comprehensive knowledge on this mysterious family of crustaceans, which are often described as "living fossils". As overfishing and environmental stressors have caused these species to become endangered, this is a timely and necessary book to ensure the protection of horseshoe crabs from extinction.

Written by international experts, this book focuses on the three most endangered species: Tachypleus tridentatus (tri-spine horseshoe crab), Tachypleus gigas (Indo-Pacific horseshoe crab), and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (mangrove horseshoe crab). It provides readers with an initial understanding of their evolution, reproduction, physiological development, and behaviours, going on to discuss their genomics and current population dynamics. The book then examines horseshoe crabs' role in human consumption and biomedical research, such as the use of its unique blue blood and chitin in human disease treatments. It also covers current conservation efforts and practices to ensure that horseshoe crabs do not become extinct.

Asian Horseshoe Crabs: Biology, Ecology, Conservation, and Utilization is a vital resource for marine biologists and ecologists interested in conservation efforts. Students and academics can also find this useful in learning about these unusual marine animals and how to protect them.

Contents

1. Biology and physiology
2. Ecology and evolution
3. Population and genetics
4. Exploitation and utilization
5. Conservation and management of Asian horseshoe crab resources
6. What we know and do not know about Asian horseshoe crabs

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Biography

Dr. Menghong Hu is an Associate Professor in the College of Fisheries and Life Science at Shanghai Ocean University. She received her MSc in Aquaculture from Huazhong University and later her PhD in Marine Biology from the City University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on the utilization of aquatic animal resources, physiological and ecological responses and adaptability of aquatic organisms to environmental stressors, and conservation of endangered marine animals. She currently serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Physiology and Frontiers in Marine Science. Dr. Paul K.S. Shin is an Emeritus Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry (formerly the Department of Biology and Chemistry) at the City University of Hong Kong. He is a benthic community ecologist. His research focuses on the composition and structure of marine benthic communities in response to environmental perturbations, ranging from events of pollution, dredging, bottom trawling, to hypoxia. He is also interested in the functioning and trophodynamics of benthic ecosystems, the ecology of artificial reefs, and marine conservation, especially of "living fossils" in the sub-tropics, including lancelets and horseshoe crabs. Dr. Shin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, UK, and has extensive experience in environmental consulting for the government and international funding agencies such as the World and Asian Development Banks. Currently, he serves as the Co-Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group. He is an Associate Editor of the Marine Pollution Bulletin published by Elsevier. Dr. Kit Yue "Billy" Kwan is a Professor in the College of Marine Sciences at Beibu Gulf University. He received his PhD in Marine Ecology and Conservation from the City University of Hong Kong. His research and teachings focus on conservation biology, aquaculture, and marine biology and ecology. Dr. Kwan is a co-chair for the IUCN Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group. He also serves as a guest editor for the Journal of Ocean University China and a guest associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Sciences and Journal of Visualized Experiments.