Dr. Mark L. Botton ([email protected]) is Professor of Biology (Emeritus) in the Department of Natural Sciences at Fordham University – Lincoln Center in New York City. He received his Bachelor’s ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group
Overview and description
Description:
The four extant species of horseshoe crabs are imperilled, because of overfishing for use as food, bait, production of biomedical products derived from their blood, and because of habitat loss or ...
Group leadership
Prof Mark BOTTON
Co-Chair
Dr. Mark L. Botton ([email protected]) is Professor of Biology (Emeritus) in the Department of Natural Sciences at Fordham University – Lincoln Center in New York City. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Stony Brook University, his Master’s degree in Biology from Brooklyn College, and his Ph.D. in Zoology from Rutgers University. Botton has published over 70 articles and book chapters on various aspects of horseshoe crab biology, including feeding ecology, mating behavior, the effects of pollution on developmental success, and population and conservation biology. He is Co-Editor of three books, “Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs,” Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management,” and “International Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Research Efforts: 2007- 2020,” all published by Springer. He is the Co-Chairman of the IUCN) Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group.
More about the Specialist Group
Horseshoe crabs are protected by the IUCN SSC's Horseshoe Crab Specialist group through cooperative efforts to conserve their populations and habitats, and by advocating for public awareness of their importance in the study of evolution, marine coastal ecology, and biomedicine.
IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group
Specialist Group work
The American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is listed as Vulnerable, there are three Asian species, the tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) is Endangered, the coastal horseshoe crab (T. gigas) and mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda), are listed as Data Deficient. We expect that our current activities will lead to a change in this status.
HCSG on the IUCN Red List
To inform conservation efforts, HCSG assesses species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
HCSG Annual Report
Learn about HCSG’s work and results in 2023.
Previous reports:
2022 HCSG Annual Report
2021 HCSG Annual Report
2020 HCSG Annual Report
2018 HCSG Annual Report
2016-2017 HCSG Annual Report
American HSC spawning in New York City. Credit IUCN
Celebration of 1st International Horseshoe Crab Day at Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, China. Credit: Credit Billy Kwan.
Photo: Billy Kwan
Stage 20 embryos of Limulus. Credit IUCN
HSC SSG Steering Committee at 2019 Workshop. Credit: IUCN
