Kendrapada, May 1 (UNI) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has sought the help of scientists of the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography(NIO)to protect and research the endangered marine species horseshoe crabs spotted in the Orissa coast.

The horseshoe crab, popularly called 'Ram Laxman' is considered one of the oldest marine species on earth. Their number, however has been dwindling over the years in absence of any conservation measures.

NIO scientist S. Lokanatha Dora who recently visited the Orissa coast to undertake a survey on the crabs, the blue blood of the marine species, said it has been used to rid spacecrafts of any earthly microbes before heading for space and other planets.

Though the horseshoe crabs and outer space exploration have no logical connection, scientists of NASA in the US had accorded much attention on this specie during their preparation for an expedition to Mars in 2003.

Mr Dora said NASA was interested in using horseshoe crabs' blue blood to ensure that space craft did not bring earth microbes into space. The DRDO, he said, decided to conserve and conduct research on the endangered marine as it would be a major contributor to the next space expedition and for its medicinal value.

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