Leptolida Collection

Physalia pelagica, Portugese-man-of-war
Illustration by Rene Primevcre Lesson from Voyage of the Coquille (1826-1338)

Physalia pelagica, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physophora hydrostatica, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physophora hydrostatica, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physalia pelagica, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physalia physalis, Portuguese man-of-war
Ff. 38 Vol 3. Watercolour painting by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage to explore the southern continent 1768-1771

Physalia physallis, Portuguese man-of-war
Portuguese man-of-war painting by Pieter de Bevere. From the Loten Collection (dated 1754-57) held at the Natural History Museum, London

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Leptolida, also known as the Portuguese man-of-war or Physalia pelagica, is a fascinating marine creature that often gets mistaken for a jellyfish. However, it is not actually a single organism but rather a colony of specialized individuals called zooids working together to survive in the open ocean. With its vibrant blue and purple hues, Leptolida resembles an alien spacecraft floating on the water's surface. Its long tentacles can extend up to 165 feet below the surface, equipped with venomous cells that deliver painful stings to prey and potential threats alike. Despite its beauty, encountering Leptolida in the wild can be dangerous. The sting from this "floating terror" can cause excruciating pain and even lead to severe allergic reactions in some cases. It's crucial for beachgoers to stay vigilant and avoid touching these creatures if spotted along shorelines. Scientists have created intricate models of both Physalia pelagica and another related species called Physophora hydrostatica to study their unique anatomy and behavior. These models help researchers understand how these organisms navigate through currents using their gas-filled float or pneumatophore. The life cycle is equally intriguing. After mating occurs between male and female colonies, females release thousands of tiny eggs into the water where they develop into larvae before settling onto various substrates like seaweed or driftwood. While Leptolida may seem mysterious and otherworldly, it plays an important role in marine ecosystems by providing food for certain fish species who are immune to its venomous sting. Next time you spot what appears to be a jellyfish washed ashore or floating at sea, take a closer look – it might just be one of nature's most captivating creations: Leptolida - the enchanting Portuguese man-of-war.