Warted sealeech, Pontobdella verrucata

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Warted sealeech, Pontobdella verrucata

Warted sealeech, Pontobdella verrucata. 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 23210396

© Florilegius/Mary Evans

Creature Elford Leach Miscellany Nodder Parasite Polydore Zoological

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisitely detailed hand-colored copperplate engraving depicts the intriguing Warted Sealeech, or Pontobdella verrucata. Drawn and engraved by the skilled hand of Richard Polydore Nodder, this illustration was published in William Elford Leach's Zoological Miscellany in 1815. The Warted Sealeech is a parasitic marine creature, belonging to the class Polychaeta. It attaches itself to the gills of various fish species, particularly those in the family Serranidae, and feeds on their mucus and tissue. Its wart-like projections, visible in the engraving, serve as anchors, allowing the sealeech to cling tightly to its host. The meticulous craftsmanship of this engraving is evident in the intricate details of the sealeech's body, from the undulating waves of its body to the individual warts adorning its surface. The hand-coloring adds a vibrant and lifelike quality to the image, making it a stunning addition to any natural history collection. This illustration, taken from Leach's Zoological Miscellany, was a significant contribution to the scientific record of marine life in the early 19th century. Leach was a renowned British naturalist and zoologist, and his publication was a respected source of information on various species, both common and obscure. The Warted Sealeech may be a parasitic creature, but its inclusion in Leach's Miscellany highlights the importance of documenting all aspects of the natural world, even those that may be considered unwelcome or unsightly. This beautiful engraving serves as a reminder of the intricate and diverse ecosystems that exist beneath the waves, and the importance of preserving and studying them for future generations.

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