Definition of Limulus polyphemus

1. Noun. Large marine arthropod of the Atlantic coast of North America having a domed carapace that is shaped like a horseshoe and a stiff pointed tail; a living fossil related to the wood louse.

Exact synonyms: Horseshoe Crab, King Crab, Xiphosurus Polyphemus
Generic synonyms: Arthropod
Group relationships: Genus Limulus, Limulus

Medical Definition of Limulus polyphemus

1. Now renamed Xiphosura, though Limulus is still in common usage as a name. The king crab or horseshoe crab, found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is more closely related to the arachnids than the crustacea and horseshoe crabs are the only surviving representatives of the subclass Xiphosura. Its compound eyes have been widely used in studies on visual systems, but it is probably better known from the Limulus amoebocyte lysate LAL) test, LAL is very sensitive to small amounts of endotoxin, clotting rapidly to form a gel and the test is used clinically to test for septicaemia. (04 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Limulus Polyphemus

limpsier
limpsiest
limpsy
limu
limule
limuli
Limulidae
limuloid
limuloidea
limuloids
limulus
Limulus
limuluses
limulus lysate test
Limulus polyphemus (current term)
Limulus polyphemus (current term)
limulus test
limy
LIM domain
LIM kinase
lim naea
Lin
linable
LINAC
linac
linaceae
Linaceae
linacs
linage
linages

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