Areolated sealeech, Pontobdella areolata

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Areolated sealeech, Pontobdella areolata

Areolated sealeech, Pontobdella areolata. Handcoloured copperplate engraving drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder from William Elford Leachs Zoological Miscellany, McMillan, London, 1815

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Media ID 23210392

© Florilegius/Mary Evans

Creature Elford Leach Leech Miscellany Nodder Parasite Polydore Zoological

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisitely detailed hand-coloured copperplate engraving depicts the Areolated Sealeech, Pontobdella areolata, a fascinating marine parasite that once captivated the curiosity of naturalists in the early 19th century. The illustration was drawn and engraved by the skilled hand of Richard Polydore Nodder, based on observations made by the renowned British zoologist, William Elford Leach. The Areolated Sealeech is a unique and intriguing creature, with a distinctively patterned body covered in small, circular depressions or 'areolae'. These depressions are not random, but rather serve a specific purpose: they house the sealeech's tiny, parasitic offspring, known as 'pedicellarians'. These pedicellarians attach themselves to the gills of fish, feeding on their mucus and blood. The illustration showcases the sealeech's elongated body, adorned with rows of small, sucking discs that enable it to attach itself to its host. Its head is large and bulbous, with two prominent eyes and a pair of small antennae. The delicate, hand-coloured details bring out the intricacies of the sealeech's body, from the tiny, waving tendrils at the end of its body to the intricate patterns on its dorsal surface. This beautiful illustration is taken from William Elford Leach's Zoological Miscellany, published in London in 1815. Leach was a leading figure in the field of marine zoology, and his work was instrumental in advancing our understanding of the marine world. The illustration not only serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of marine life, but also to the skill and artistry of the naturalists and illustrators of the time.

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