Friday, September 24, 2010

Horseshoe Crab Decline

A decline in horseshoe crab numbers has occurred, relating to changes that took place at the end of the last ice age. The new research, which uses genomics to assess trends in population sizes, it also indicates that these crabs may continue to decline because of predicted climate change. While the current decline in horseshoe crabs is attributed in great part to excessive harvesting, the new research suggests climate change also has played a role in reducing the number of crabs. More importantly, predicted future climate change, with its accompanying sea-level rise and water temperature changes may limit the amount of crabs resulting in localized and regional population declines, such as happened after the last Ice Age.

Opinion-
I do not particularly care to much that the population of horseshoe crabs is declining. I do care that with the decline of the horseshoe crabs many other species that depend on horseshoe crabs may start declining . With the loss of horseshoe crabs several types of species may start declining which could lead to large extinction. However that most likely won't happen but you never know.
http://www.macroevolution.net/horseshoe-crab.html

No comments:

Post a Comment