According to Volz (2008) the Atlantic horseshoe crab has a of pair compound eyes that sit amongst its head. These are its lateral eyes; they are used to help the Atlantic horseshoe crab find a mating partner. The Limulus polyphemus is the only animal from the subphylum chelicerata with these compound eyes. The Atlantic horseshoe crab has an additional five eyes located on top of its shell. The first two are the median eyes. The median eyes have the ability to see ultraviolet light and have special cells that are sensitive to visible light. Since the Atlantic horseshoe crab can see ultraviolet this allows them to see during the night, therefore they can watch out for lurking predators. The Limulus polyphemus also has two rudimentary eyes that function as soon as the Atlantic horseshoe crab hatches. Lastly, the Atlantic horseshoe crab has two eyes located on its underside. These ventral eyes allow it to see below itself when swimming so it can watch out for predators (Horseshoe crab, n.d.). The existence of the Limulus polyphemus eyes have been a great adaptation because it has allowed the horseshoe crab to be aware of its surroundings and stay away from
According to Volz (2008) the Atlantic horseshoe crab has a of pair compound eyes that sit amongst its head. These are its lateral eyes; they are used to help the Atlantic horseshoe crab find a mating partner. The Limulus polyphemus is the only animal from the subphylum chelicerata with these compound eyes. The Atlantic horseshoe crab has an additional five eyes located on top of its shell. The first two are the median eyes. The median eyes have the ability to see ultraviolet light and have special cells that are sensitive to visible light. Since the Atlantic horseshoe crab can see ultraviolet this allows them to see during the night, therefore they can watch out for lurking predators. The Limulus polyphemus also has two rudimentary eyes that function as soon as the Atlantic horseshoe crab hatches. Lastly, the Atlantic horseshoe crab has two eyes located on its underside. These ventral eyes allow it to see below itself when swimming so it can watch out for predators (Horseshoe crab, n.d.). The existence of the Limulus polyphemus eyes have been a great adaptation because it has allowed the horseshoe crab to be aware of its surroundings and stay away from