Cornelia Sattler’s image of an invasive orange pore fungus won the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Contest. The competition unites art and science, celebrating the wonders of nature across different categories.
A captivating image of an invasive orange pore fungus (Favoraschia Carocera), highlighting potential threats. seed It may affect Australia’s ecosystem, but it won the 3rd time Ecology and evolution of BMC image contest. This competition showcases the wonders of the natural world, past and present, and honors those who strive to understand them.
The overall winning image, which depicts a bright orange fruiting body growing on a dead tree in the Australian rainforest, was taken by Cornelia Sattler of Macquarie University, Australia. The orange pore fungus was first observed in Madagascar, but is now found worldwide. Previous studies have reported that 82% of Australia’s species are threatened with extinction due to invasive species such as European rabbits, root rot fungi and feral pigs. As a result, Australia has particularly strict rules for bringing plants, animals and organic matter into the country.
“Despite its innocent and beautiful appearance, the orange pore fungus is an invasive species that has replaced other fungi and is widespread throughout Australia’s rainforests,” Cornelia Sattler said. To protect against , it is important to closely monitor spores of this fungus, as they are often carried by humans.”
Senior Editor Arne Traulsen recommends the work, stating, “Cornelia Sattler’s photography offers a glimpse into the fascinating, underappreciated and understudied organisms of the world of fungi. ‘ said.
Other award-winning works
In addition to the main prize, the competition recognizes winners and runners-up in four different categories: Research in Action, Protecting the Planet, Plants and Fungi, and Paleoecology. I was.
The winning image in the Research in Action category was captured by Victor Huertas of James Cook University, Australia. This photo shows an underwater remotely operated vehicle being deployed in Australia’s Coral Sea Marine Park. The instrument is used to explore ocean depths beyond the reach of divers, discover new species on coral reefs, and expand the known geographic range of multiple fish species.
Senior Editorial Board member Luke Jacobus said: “This photograph captures the essence of ecological research.
The winning entry in the “Save Our Planet” category, photographed by Robert García Roa of Lund University, Sweden, features a sustainable beekeeping project launched by the Chimpanzee Conservation Center in Guinea. . The project aims to combat deforestation by encouraging locals to grow their own honey. A portion of the profits from this project will be donated to chimpanzee conservation efforts.
Senior Editor Joseph Settele said, “This picture shows how very different aspects of wildlife conservation come together to help both protect our planet and empower local communities at the same time.” It shows how we can create favorable conditions.”
The winning entry in the “Plants and Fungi” category depicts a fungus that parasitizes the fruiting body of a zombie ant fungus (a fungus that can relocate an infected ant to a suitable location for its growth) by Joanne Botanical Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden. Photographed by Araujo. Garden, New York, USA.
“Zombie ant fungi are found in forests around the world, but the forests they inhabit are also home to fungi that can parasitize, prey on, and even castrate zombie ants,” said Joao Araujo. Scientists have only recently begun cataloging and describing these fascinating fungi that can kill other fungi.”
The winning entry in the paleoecology category was submitted by Jordan Mallon, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada, and created by Wen Yulian, Beijing, China. This image shows a fetal hadrosaurid (duck-billed dinosaur) growing inside an egg taken from the upper reaches of China. Cretaceous A red layer that is said to be 72 to 66 million years old.
“The relatively small size of the eggs and the lack of specialization of the dinosaur embryos that develop in them suggest that early hadrosaurs were born immature and helpless,” Jordan Mallon said. ‘ said. Over time, hadrosaurs laid larger eggs, indicating that their offspring may be born at a more advanced stage of development and require less parental care than earlier hadrosaurs. Masu. ”
Celebrating the intersection of art and science
Now in its third year, Ecology and evolution of BMC The Image Competition was established to give ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists an opportunity to be creative and celebrate the intersection of research and art and science. The winning images will be selected by the editors. Ecology and evolution of BMC and a senior member of the journal’s editorial board.
Editor Jennifer Herrmann said: “It has been a rewarding and rewarding experience judging the many incredible images submitted to this year’s competition. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest and congratulations to the winners, readers will see these images and appreciate them as much as we do. We hope you enjoy exploring the story behind it.”