Saturday, May 25, 2013

Tagged Horseshoe Crabs at Big Egg Marsh Queens NY...

While doing my shorebird survey, I always keep an eye out for Horseshoe Crabs because of their relationship to the arrival of shorebirds who fatten themselves on the eggs of Horseshoe Crabs before continuing their journey to wherever it is they are going. A few days ago during a windy high tide, I observed a number of tagged Horseshoe Crabs at Big Egg Marsh in Queens NY, 9 of them to be exact and I was able to document 6 of them.

Horseshoe Crab Tagging, is being coordinated by Maryland Fishery Resources Office since 1999 and is sort of like the banding of birds. Crabs have been tagged by researchers and biomedical companies conducting numerous studies on Horseshoe Crabs along the Atlantic Coast. Although all tags have a toll-free phone number for reporting the information, there is also an online form to report resightings. So you may be asking yourselves,how does a Horseshoe Crab get tagged?

Well, it involves some drilling, but don't worry the taggers are well trained and although some blood or eggs may result from drilling, the Horseshoe Crabs are generally in good health post banding...er tagging. The tags are attached to an area called the Prosoma (first section of the body), which due to the fibrous material minimizes bleeding. The tag is attached by drilling a 5/32 inch hole through the left side of the Prosoma and then the pin with the tag is pushed in as far as it would go without going through to the other side. See below photos of the tagged Horseshoe Crabs and if you find one yourself, document the tag number and report in your findings via the tool free number on the tag or post your findings online here.








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6 comments:

  1. Nancy CastilloMay 25, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    There's a definite joy in finding and being able to report banded/tagged wildlife, isn't there Andrew? Great job and thanks for the information!

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  2. BIRDINGDUDEMay 25, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    Thanks Nancy. Yes, I am like a kid (well still a kid at heart), when I find stuff like this. Makes my citizen science all the worth while.

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  3. AnonymousMay 30, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Hey Andrew. I was at Jamaica bay Sunday and watched fish and wildlife doing the tagging. It's quite the smooth operation and I would be happy to share some pics of it.

    Gordon

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  4. ArijaJune 7, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    An interesting and informative post. I'm glad I clicked on the 'next blog' button and found you.

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  5. meJune 10, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    I am a undergraduate student trying to tag horseshoe crabs in Singapore. I'm glad that they are citizen scientists like you!

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  6. obat asam urat alamiSeptember 5, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    i like you8r post and thank's for your information ^___^

    ReplyDelete