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Skate-sucker or spinulose sealeech, Pontobdella spinulosa
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Skate-sucker or spinulose sealeech, Pontobdella spinulosa
Skate-sucker or spinulose sealeech, Pontobdella spinulosa. 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 23210400
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Creature Elford Leach Miscellany Nodder Parasite Polydore Zoological
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1. Title: "Skate-sucker or Spinulose Sealeech: A Fascinating Parasitic Marine Creature" This handcoloured copperplate engraving showcases the intriguing figure of the Skate-sucker, scientifically known as Pontobdella spinulosa. Engraved by the skilled hand of Richard Polydore Nodder and published in William Elford Leach's Zoological Miscellany in 1815, this illustration offers a detailed and accurate representation of this unique marine creature. The Skate-sucker, also referred to as the Spinulose Sealeech, is a parasitic eel-like organism that attaches itself to the underside of stingrays and skates. Its elongated body is covered in small, spinulose (spinous) projections, which provide a firm grip on its host's body. These projections not only help the Skate-sucker cling on but also serve as a protective camouflage, making it difficult for predators to distinguish it from the host's skin. The Skate-sucker feeds on the mucus and tissue of its host, which it extracts by means of a proboscis. This parasitic relationship is essential for both the Skate-sucker and the host, as it benefits the former by providing a stable living environment and a constant food source, while the host remains relatively unaffected. This illustration not only showcases the beauty and intricacy of the natural world but also highlights the fascinating interdependence between different marine organisms. The Skate-sucker, with its unique adaptations, is a testament to the wonders of evolution and the complex relationships that exist within the marine ecosystem.
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