Xiphosura

The Xiphosura are an Order of marine chelicerates that include the Horseshoe crabs (sometimes known as King crabs).

Xiphosurans have five pairs of legs and compound eyes. The group has changed little in millions of years and living species still closely resemble those in the fossil record.

A photograph of an adult horseshoe crab.
Photograph by Shura007

Other names for (or types of) Xiphosura include:

• Horseshoe crab
• King crab

Related terms

• Chelicerae
• Chelicerata

See other words beginning with X