Guest Editors
Anthony L. Dellinger
Kepley Biosystems, Inc.
<p>Anthony Dellinger is a motivated scientist that is dedicated to improving public, societal, ecological, and economic outcomes in all of his research endeavors. Anthony is currently the Chief Scientist, Founding Member and President for Kepley BioSystems Inc. (Greensboro, N.C., U.S.A.). Kepley BioSystems is an emerging biotech company that practices scholarship, invention, and technology development towards critical global solutions with public good and stewardship. After completing a BSc in Forensic Molecular Biology with a Minor in Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dellinger began working at the Medical College of Virginia and developed a passion for immunology and nanoscience. Later, Anthony returned to academia and completed a PhD in Nanoscience at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University). Dellinger was named the inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year for 2015 at his alma mater and has held several prestigious National Science Foundation grants working towards sustainable solutions for horseshoe crabs. He contributes to the education of emerging scholars in his role as adjunct professor at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering and is member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group.</p>
Kit Yue Kwan
Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, China
<p>Dr. Kit Yue Kwan is a marine ecologist based at Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, China and has a long-standing interest on finding workable solutions to tackle issues of biodiversity conservation in Asian regions. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Management at City University of Hong Kong, he continued his PhD study on the biology and ecology of Asian horseshoe crabs. His findings contributed to the conservation and management of juvenile populations in Hong Kong waters, as well as the exploration of the use of juvenile hemolymph constituents as a health indicator for wild populations. Dr. Kwan is now a steering committee member of the horseshoe crab specialist group under the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Recently, he has organized the 4th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in China, assisted the establishment of International Horseshoe Crab Day, and is now leading the Asian Horseshoe Crab Observation Network program. His recent research work focuses on developing minimum standards for collecting/reporting juvenile population information and conceptual frameworks for responsible stock enhancement programs for Asian horseshoe crab conservation.</p>
Collection Overview
Horseshoe crabs are invaluable to both the larger oceanic ecosystem and the overall health and wellbeing of humanity through its contribution to the biomedical industry. The population of extant species of horseshoe crabs, in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, are facing immense pressures from habitat decline owed to climate change and to society’s increasing demand, whether for use as food, bait, or as the primary source for a specialized pathogen detecting component contained within its blood. This material is the foundation for the Limulus (or Tachypleus) amebocyte lysate assay that is utilized worldwide to ensure pathogen-free sterility of drugs, vaccines, and medical implants for human medicine. As horseshoe crab global population levels flatten in the Atlantic and diminish in the Pacific, it becomes crucial to implement innovative and practical approaches to ensure the survival of this vital species. The following articles propose and describe studies that seek to reduce pressures on horseshoe crab populations through responsible field and aquaculture solutions. These include population and migration tracking, juvenile rearing and restocking, and sustainable blood extraction. The goal of this collection is to demonstrate standardized protocols for aquaculture of horseshoe crab species, including procedures for extended husbandry and dietary maintenance, for the purpose of wider dissemination of methods to a broader audience.