Living fossils in the laboratory

Often referred to as a living fossil, the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is among the most-studied invertebrate animals in the world. It has served as a model in Nobel Prize–winning eye research, and has helped researchers study invertebrate molting and regeneration, cellular phagocytosis, and embryology. In addition, researchers use a component of its blood to detect bacterial contamination in medical devices and drugs. Smith and Berkson discuss Limulus anatomy and development and review the conditions necessary for housing these animals in the laboratory, touching on topics including optimal water quality parameters and proper nutrition. See page 27

Building quake-resistant facilities

Because earthquakes cannot be accurately predicted, there is no time to immediately prepare for or to evacuate an animal facility in advance of their occurrence. To determine the extent to which a facility should be reinforced to better protect research animals during these unpredictable events, a risk analysis should be performed that includes an evaluation of the seismic hazard risk at the proposed building site balanced against the estimated consequences of losses. Vogelweid et al. emphasize the risk analysis process and discuss various ways to build a facility to better withstand seismic disturbances. See page 35