DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (AP) - Alabama’s sea laboratory is starting a program to track American horseshoe crabs.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab describes its new tagging program as the first of its kind on the northern Gulf Coast to investigate populations of the odd-looking creatures.
Marine scientist Ruth Carmichael of the University of South Alabama is beginning the study with an undergraduate student from Colorado College, Sean Carter.
They’re testing the idea that salinity levels around Mobile Bay result in fewer horseshoe crabs on the Alabama coast compared to adjacent areas.
Animals will be tagged with identifying information before being released back into the wild.
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