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GLOSSARY
Horseshoe crab ( kabutogani)
Despite its name, the kabutoganiis not a true crab; it is a marine aanthropod (limulus) closely related to scorpions and spiders. In fact, it is a "living fossil" dating back to the Gotlandian period of the Paleozoic era (c. 400 million years ago). Only five species are known. The Japanese species is about 60cm long including the hard, spiked tail. The body is protected by a leathery "shell" and the rounded front section completely covers the creature's five pairs of legs and its pincers. On the upper surface of the "shell" are two small median eyes and, behind and to the side, a larger pair of compound eyes.Kabutogani breed in the Seto Inland Sea and in Hakata Bay where they lay their eggs on the sandy shoreline in mid-July They are a natural monument of Okayama Prefecture. The literal meaning of the Japanese name, kabutogani is "helmet crab":.