2008 Woodie Awards
Professors receive grant to study horseshoe crabs
Research will show the effect horseshoe crabs have on the East Coast
Courtney Perlee
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
Many Sacred Heart University students who grew up along the East Coast have encountered American horseshoe crabs as elementary-school students. Their tell-tale outer shell and tail (or telson) made them easy to spot and seemed exotic compared to clam shells and rocks that usually cover the beaches.
Thanks to a federal grant, several Sacred Heart biology students, as well as three professors, will complete hands-on research experience concerning these Limulus (their scientific name).
Three Sacred Heart University scientists have been awarded a $30,000 federal grant to explore the links between horseshoe crabs and other species and better understand the effects they have on the Long Island Sound's ecosystem. The Connecticut Sea Grant was awarded to Department of Biology chair Jennifer Mattei and assistant professors Mark Beekey and Barbara Pierce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"I would say yes, this is a big deal to us because of how competitive the process was," said Mattei. "It took three years to get this grant, and we have been competing with many other universities along the coast."
Mattei, Beekey, and Pierce will study the dependency of shorebirds, fish, and crabs on horseshoe crab eggs in Long Island Sound. There is little data pertaining to horseshoe crab behavior in Long Island Sound; the last published study took place in 1952.
This study could reveal important information which would affect political policies concerning the number of horseshoe crabs fishermen can use as bait for fishing American eel and whelk. Although both industries have decreased since the 1970's, both American eel and whelk are popular exports, and therefore they are big industries in the United States. According to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, in 2005, over 427 metric tons of American eel were harvested off of the Atlantic coast.
In addition to the multi-million dollar industry horseshoe crabs play a role in, senior Matthew Laudicina finds their medical contributions most interesting.
Thanks to a federal grant, several Sacred Heart biology students, as well as three professors, will complete hands-on research experience concerning these Limulus (their scientific name).
Three Sacred Heart University scientists have been awarded a $30,000 federal grant to explore the links between horseshoe crabs and other species and better understand the effects they have on the Long Island Sound's ecosystem. The Connecticut Sea Grant was awarded to Department of Biology chair Jennifer Mattei and assistant professors Mark Beekey and Barbara Pierce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"I would say yes, this is a big deal to us because of how competitive the process was," said Mattei. "It took three years to get this grant, and we have been competing with many other universities along the coast."
Mattei, Beekey, and Pierce will study the dependency of shorebirds, fish, and crabs on horseshoe crab eggs in Long Island Sound. There is little data pertaining to horseshoe crab behavior in Long Island Sound; the last published study took place in 1952.
This study could reveal important information which would affect political policies concerning the number of horseshoe crabs fishermen can use as bait for fishing American eel and whelk. Although both industries have decreased since the 1970's, both American eel and whelk are popular exports, and therefore they are big industries in the United States. According to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, in 2005, over 427 metric tons of American eel were harvested off of the Atlantic coast.
In addition to the multi-million dollar industry horseshoe crabs play a role in, senior Matthew Laudicina finds their medical contributions most interesting.
Be the first to comment on this story