The health of horseshoe crabs returned to the wild after being bled for biomedical product testing has long been a concern. Previous studies have estimated survival at 90%. However, until this study there has been no attempt to measure the rates of blood regeneration in surviving animals. We designed a 10 week field study on mortality and blood cell regeneration. The study showed higher mortality than previously reported; more importantly, blood cell counts of survivors always peaked above initial levels.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• LaPointe, Stephanie
• Hinkley, Michelle E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 06D333M

Advisor

• Gibson, Daniel G.

Year

• 2006

Sponsor

• Associates of Cape Cod, Inc

Date created

• 2006-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright