Project Limulus

Project Limulus is:

  • A Study Examining the Ecology of the Long Island Sound Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) population.
  • A Community-Based Research Program Providing Opportunities for All People to Become Active Contributors to On-Going Scientific Research.
  • A Data-Gathering Network to Potentially Direct Conservation Programs for the Horseshoe Crab
  • An Educational Tool to Increase Public Awareness of Limulus and its connection to the Long Island Sound Ecosystem and Human Health
  • Part of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group

 


Jennifer MatteiDr. Jennifer H. Mattei

Founder & Past Director of Project Limulus

In 1997, Dr. Jennifer Mattei started Project Limulus in response to the declining horseshoe crab population in Long Island Sound (LIS). Mattei’s vision for the project was to use scientific research to study horseshoe crabs in LIS to inform management of the population and to educate the public about the importance of horseshoe crabs to ecosystem and human health. Through the project Mattei has mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate research students, given public lectures to thousands of people and helped tag over 98,000 horseshoe crabs. She served as a member of the IUCN Horseshoe Crab Specialists group working to protect and conserve horseshoe crabs globally. She also spearheaded initiatives to restore habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and other marine organisms.

Recently, Mattei wrote the article, Our Natural World.