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New images:
May 2026

2621734 © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
112 images

From abyssal fauna to large vertebrates: an outstanding natural history selection combining scientific rigor with the beauty of life.

This new selection of natural history images illustrates the diversity of life, from soil microfauna to large vertebrates, with a consistent focus on scientific accuracy. The macrophotography work of Philippe Lebeaux highlights discreet organisms such as springtails Sminthurus viridis and Arrhopalites, which play a key role in terrestrial ecosystems. In the same approach, Stéphane Vitzthum documents numerous insect and arachnid species, including Coccinella septempunctata and Thomisus onustus, shown in direct interaction with their habitats.

The series also gives significant space to birds and mammals, featuring behavioral scenes observed in the field. For example, the Eurasian pygmy owl Glaucidium passerinum photographed by Emile Barbelette, or the roe deer Capreolus capreolus captured in a forest environment. The images by Christophe Perelle and Régis Cavignaux further expand this selection with species such as Alcedo atthis and Astrapia mayeri, illustrating a wide range of ecological contexts, from Europe to Papua New Guinea.

Finally, this collection extends to more specific environments, particularly marine and abyssal ecosystems, through the contributions of Gilles Martin in collaboration with IFREMER. The depictions of nematodes, polychaetes, and tardigrades, such as Neostygarctus oceanopolis, highlight the still largely unknown diversity of meiofauna. Altogether, this collection provides a rigorous and well-documented visual resource, suitable for editorial, educational, and scientific uses.

Biosphoto | 2621186 | Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet (Zygaena lonicera) on flower, protected limestone coast, Lorry-Mardigny, Lorraine, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2621186 RM
Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet (Zygaena lonicera) on flower, protected limestone coast, [...]
Biosphoto | 2621029 | Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri),male, Papua New Guinea | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2621029 RM
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri),male, Papua New Guinea
Biosphoto | 2621028 | Speckled dasyure (Neophascogale lorentzii), searching food on a branch, Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2621028 RM
Speckled dasyure (Neophascogale lorentzii), searching food on a branch, Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée
Biosphoto | 2621026 | Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri),male in flight, Papua New Guinea | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2621026 RM
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri),male in flight, Papua New Guinea
Biosphoto | 2621001 | Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri), Papua New Guinea | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2621001 RM
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri), Papua New Guinea
Biosphoto | 2621602 | European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) male on a stump in the forest, France. | © Christophe Perelle / Biosphoto
2621602 RM
European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) male on a stump in the forest, France.
Biosphoto | 2620957 | Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), male, Lorraine, France | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2620957 RM
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), male, Lorraine, France
Biosphoto | 2621765 | Green Hairstreak = thecla of the bramble (Callophrys rubi) aged butterfly foraging on a spurge flower, Massargues, municipality of Orgnac-l'Aven, Ardèche, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2621765 RM
Green Hairstreak = thecla of the bramble (Callophrys rubi) aged butterfly foraging on a spurge [...]
Biosphoto | 2620952 | Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos), male singing, Lorraine, France | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2620952 RM
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos), male singing, Lorraine, France
Biosphoto | 2620948 | Green Long-horn moth (Adela reaumurella) nuptial flight, Lorraine, France | © Régis Cavignaux / Biosphoto
2620948 RM
Green Long-horn moth (Adela reaumurella) nuptial flight, Lorraine, France
Biosphoto | 2620003 | Jaguar (Panthera onca) killing a caiman on the riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil. | © Gilles Martin / Biosphoto
2620003 RM
Jaguar (Panthera onca) killing a caiman on the riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil.
Biosphoto | 2620913 | European kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male perched to fish in a marsh, Normandy, France. | © Christophe Perelle / Biosphoto
2620913 RM
European kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male perched to fish in a marsh, Normandy, France.
Biosphoto | 2620001 | Jaguar (Panthera onca) killing a caiman on the riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil. | © Gilles Martin / Biosphoto
2620001 RM
Jaguar (Panthera onca) killing a caiman on the riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil.
Biosphoto | 2620015 | Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica | © Gilles Martin / Biosphoto
2620015 RM
Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica
Biosphoto | 2620012 | Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica | © Gilles Martin / Biosphoto
2620012 RM
Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica
Biosphoto | 2620011 | Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica | © Gilles Martin / Biosphoto
2620011 RM
Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas), Costa Rica
Biosphoto | 2621698 | Black domestic bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), a local indigenous subspecies of Western Europe, on a rose family flower, Massargues, municipality of Orgnac-l'Aven, Ardèche, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2621698 RM
Black domestic bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), a local indigenous subspecies of Western Europe, on [...]
Biosphoto | 2620392 | Female Anopheles (Anopheles atroparvus) hibernating in diapause on a blockhouse wall, Fort d'Ecrouves, Lorraine, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2620392 RM
Female Anopheles (Anopheles atroparvus) hibernating in diapause on a blockhouse wall, Fort [...]
Biosphoto | 2620643 | Coleoptere larva in a pond, city of Couffy, Loir et Cher, France | © Bruno Guénard / Biosphoto
2620643 RM
Coleoptere larva in a pond, city of Couffy, Loir et Cher, France
Biosphoto | 2620639 | Water mite in a pond, Prairies du Fouzon, France | © Bruno Guénard / Biosphoto
2620639 RM
Water mite in a pond, Prairies du Fouzon, France
Biosphoto | 2620633 | Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) female inviting the male to mate (composite of 2 images), Regional Natural Park of the Northern Vosges, France. | © Michel Rauch / Biosphoto
2620633 RM
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) female inviting the male to mate (composite of 2 images), [...]
Biosphoto | 2620923 | Grass snake (Natrix natrix) slithering through the vegetation near a wetland, France. | © Christophe Perelle / Biosphoto
2620923 RM
Grass snake (Natrix natrix) slithering through the vegetation near a wetland, France.
Biosphoto | 2620911 | European kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male perched on a willow, waiting to fish in a marsh, Normandy, France. | © Christophe Perelle / Biosphoto
2620911 RM
European kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male perched on a willow, waiting to fish in a marsh, Normandy, [...]
Biosphoto | 2620026 | Overview of the small abyssal fauna. (Namatoda, poluchaeata, ostracoda, copépoda, kinorhyncha). Optical microscope. 
The ambitious project « Pourquoi pas les abysses ? » aims to increase knowledge of deep water biodiversity. It will help study on a large scale the marine biodiversity patterns in the deep ocean trenches and will enable progress toward the identification of these lesser-known species.The AMIGO2018 mission between Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Brest is part of a cycle of missions to fuel marine biodiversity inventories. The purpose is to take samples that are then processed to extract the DNA. This allows the new molecular “Barcode” methods to take stock of local species. The Pourquoi Pas ? is an oceanographic research vessel named in homage to the Commandant Charcot. This famous French sailor and oceanographer made his polar expeditions aboard four exploration ships of the same name. Nowadays the Pourquoi Pas ? is part of the deep-sea ships of the IFREMER fleet. The ship is in service since September 27th, 2005. With a length of almost 110 m, this ship enables the IFREMER to lead several missions such as hydrography, cartography and the deployments of exploration submarines like the Nautile. The French Navy borrows the ship 150 days per year.

 | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620026 RM
Overview of the small abyssal fauna. (Namatoda, poluchaeata, ostracoda, copépoda, kinorhyncha). [...]
Biosphoto | 2620062 | Nematode - Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning Electron Microscopy Opitcal microscope, Focus stacking | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620062 RM
Nematode - Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning Electron [...]
Biosphoto | 2620135 | Marine fauna; Collection of IFREMER; Brest, Brittany, France. | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620135 RM
Marine fauna; Collection of IFREMER; Brest, Brittany, France.
Biosphoto | 2620117 | Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, optical microscope | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620117 RM
Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, optical microscope
Biosphoto | 2620052 | Brittle-star (Ophiuroidea sp), Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620052 RM
Brittle-star (Ophiuroidea sp), Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, [...]
Biosphoto | 2620021 | Polychaete worm (Nereididae sp) living near hydrothermal springs. This polychaete worm uses its tentacles to bring food to its mouth. His two eyes are actually palps that have a sensory role. Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620021 RM
Polychaete worm (Nereididae sp) living near hydrothermal springs. This polychaete worm uses its [...]
Biosphoto | 2620290 | African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) family along waterhole with reflection in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa | © Patrice Correia / Biosphoto
2620290 RM
African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) family along waterhole with reflection in Greater Kruger [...]
Biosphoto | 2620298 | White fronted Bee eater (Merops bullockoides) taking off side view in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa | © Patrice Correia / Biosphoto
2620298 RM
White fronted Bee eater (Merops bullockoides) taking off side view in Greater Kruger National park, [...]
Biosphoto | 2620330 | L'île Plaza Sud (South Plaza Island). Falaise donnant sur l'océan pacifique sous un ciel d'orage. Les falaises et les rochers noirs sont formés de lave basaltique, témoignant de l'origine volcanique de l'archipel. Le ciel chargé et l'écume blanche des vagues se fracassant contre la roche sombre sont typiques des côtes sauvages de ces îles. Le tapis de végétation rouge et orangé est composé de Sesuvium (pourpier de mer). Cette plante change de couleur selon la saison : elle est vert vif pendant la saison des pluies et vire au rouge intense pendant la saison sèche pour conserver son humidité. Galapagos | © Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto
2620330 RM
L'île Plaza Sud (South Plaza Island). Falaise donnant sur l'océan pacifique sous un ciel d'orage. [...]
Biosphoto | 2620341 | Santa Fe Island is home to an endemic species of giant cactus (Opuntia echios), known for its wide trunks that can exceed 12 meters in height. These prickly pears have evolved to resemble trees with a woody trunk, allowing their edible parts to be out of reach of land iguanas and tortoises. They grow amidst a carpet of Sesuvium, a low-growing plant that turns bright red during the dry season. Galapagos. | © Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto
2620341 RM
Santa Fe Island is home to an endemic species of giant cactus (Opuntia echios), known for its wide [...]
Biosphoto | 2620325 | Trois otaries des Galápagos (Zalophus wollebaeki), Les otaries sont des animaux extrêmement sociaux. Elles passent une grande partie de leur journée à dormir sur les plages de sable blanc ou sur les rochers de lave pour réguler leur température corporelle après avoir chassé dans les eaux froides. Si elles paraissent un peu gauches et lourdes sur le sable, elles sont d'une agilité incroyable dans l'eau, capables de nager à des vitesses atteignant 25 km/h. Elles sont endémiques aux îles Galápagos. Elles sont classées comme espèce en danger à cause de leur vulnérabilité aux changements climatiques qui réduit leurs ressources alimentaires. Galapagos | © Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto
2620325 RM
Trois otaries des Galápagos (Zalophus wollebaeki), Les otaries sont des animaux extrêmement [...]
Biosphoto | 2620314 | Santa Fe Island is home to an endemic species of giant cactus (Opuntia echios), known for its wide trunks that can exceed 12 meters in height. These prickly pears have evolved to resemble trees with a woody trunk, allowing their edible parts to be out of reach of land iguanas and tortoises. They grow amidst a carpet of Sesuvium, a low-growing plant that turns bright red during the dry season. Galapagos. | © Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto
2620314 RM
Santa Fe Island is home to an endemic species of giant cactus (Opuntia echios), known for its wide [...]
Biosphoto | 2620312 | Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger hoodensis), known as the  saddleback  tortoise, has a distinctly elevated shell at the front. This evolutionary adaptation allows the tortoise to extend its long neck high to reach vegetation at greater heights, such as cacti. Its robust, scaly legs are well-suited for navigating the rugged volcanic terrain of the islands. The Charles Darwin Research Station plays a crucial role in conservation efforts. These tortoises are emblematic of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Their morphology varies from island to island based on the available food sources, which helped the naturalist understand how species adapt to their environments. Here, the social interaction between two tortoises is governed by a simple rule: dominance by height. When they encounter each other, they stretch vertically by extending their necks to the maximum and opening their mouths. The tortoise that manages to raise its head the highest is considered the dominant one. The  smaller  tortoise (or the one that cannot reach that height) withdraws its head, lowers itself, and moves away, signaling its submission. This behavior generally helps avoid violent physical confrontations. | © Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto
2620312 RM
Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger hoodensis), known as the "saddleback" tortoise, has a [...]
Biosphoto | 2620307 | Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) perched on a branch and watching. Canada | © Philippe Henry / Biosphoto
2620307 RM
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) perched on a branch and watching. Canada
Biosphoto | 2620303 | Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) chased by red fox and running, Botanical garden, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | © Philippe Henry / Biosphoto
2620303 RM
Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) chased by red fox and running, Botanical garden, [...]
Biosphoto | 2620397 | Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) glance, Sainte Croix animal park, Rhodes, Lorraine, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2620397 RM
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) glance, Sainte Croix animal park, Rhodes, Lorraine, France.
Biosphoto | 2620399 | Marmelade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) on a purple flower of Dusky Cranesbill (Geranium phaeum), in the botanical garden in front of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2620399 RM
Marmelade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) on a purple flower of Dusky Cranesbill (Geranium phaeum), [...]
Biosphoto | 2620137 | Marine fauna, Collection of IFREMER, Brest, Bretagne, France | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620137 RM
Marine fauna, Collection of IFREMER, Brest, Bretagne, France
Biosphoto | 2620060 | Nematode - (Oncholaimidae). Microorganisms (symbionts): Bacteria: Gammaproteobacteria Host animal: Metoncholaimus albidus (male individual, corkscrew tail) Nematodes of the Oncholaimidae family adapt to extreme environments by associating with colonies of sulfur-feeding bacteria, which form long filaments around the worms. Category: coastal; anoxic zone Location: Atlantic Fluorescence microscopy (FISH); IFREMER | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620060 RM
Nematode - (Oncholaimidae). Microorganisms (symbionts): Bacteria: Gammaproteobacteria Host animal: [...]
Biosphoto | 2620057 | Nematode (Metoncholaimus albidus). The nematodes of the Oncholoaimidae family adapt to extreme environments by associating with colonies of bacteria that feed on sulphur. These form long filaments around the worms. | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620057 RM
Nematode (Metoncholaimus albidus). The nematodes of the Oncholoaimidae family adapt to extreme [...]
Biosphoto | 2620050 | Polychaete worm (Ampharetidae sp) living near hydrothermal springs. This polychaete worm uses its tentacles to bring food to its mouth. Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620050 RM
Polychaete worm (Ampharetidae sp) living near hydrothermal springs. This polychaete worm uses its [...]
Biosphoto | 2620043 | Crustacean Cumacea, Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, optical microscope. Far from the image we have had for a long time, the abysses are home to a great diversity of species. | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620043 RM
Crustacean Cumacea, Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, optical [...]
Biosphoto | 2620036 | Polychaete Worm (Polynoidae sp). Here we see a detail of the proboscis, a trunk with sharp teeth that allows him to grasp his food. Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620036 RM
Polychaete Worm (Polynoidae sp). Here we see a detail of the proboscis, a trunk with sharp teeth [...]
Biosphoto | 2620025 | Polychaete Worm (Polynoidae sp). Here we see a detail of the proboscis, a trunk with sharp teeth that allows him to grasp his food. Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620025 RM
Polychaete Worm (Polynoidae sp). Here we see a detail of the proboscis, a trunk with sharp teeth [...]
Biosphoto | 2620023 | Tardigrade - Neostygarctus oceanopolis is a new tardigrade species discovered in 2010 by IFREMER researchers at a depth of 1,000 m off the Azores. Naturally transparent, it was artificially colored. Meiofauna of the abyss, Pourquoi pas les abysses ?, IFREMER, optical microscope | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620023 RM
Tardigrade - Neostygarctus oceanopolis is a new tardigrade species discovered in 2010 by IFREMER [...]
Biosphoto | 2620027 | Overview of the small abyssal fauna. (Namatoda, poluchaeata, ostracoda, copépoda, kinorhyncha). Optical microscope. 
The ambitious project « Pourquoi pas les abysses ? » aims to increase knowledge of deep water biodiversity. It will help study on a large scale the marine biodiversity patterns in the deep ocean trenches and will enable progress toward the identification of these lesser-known species.The AMIGO2018 mission between Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Brest is part of a cycle of missions to fuel marine biodiversity inventories. The purpose is to take samples that are then processed to extract the DNA. This allows the new molecular “Barcode” methods to take stock of local species. The Pourquoi Pas ? is an oceanographic research vessel named in homage to the Commandant Charcot. This famous French sailor and oceanographer made his polar expeditions aboard four exploration ships of the same name. Nowadays the Pourquoi Pas ? is part of the deep-sea ships of the IFREMER fleet. The ship is in service since September 27th, 2005. With a length of almost 110 m, this ship enables the IFREMER to lead several missions such as hydrography, cartography and the deployments of exploration submarines like the Nautile. The French Navy borrows the ship 150 days per year.

 | © Gilles Martin / IFREMER / Biosphoto
2620027 RM
Overview of the small abyssal fauna. (Namatoda, poluchaeata, ostracoda, copépoda, kinorhyncha). [...]
Biosphoto | 2620369 | Soulange magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), flower - a remarkable 117-year-old tree (planted in 1909) in Parc Sainte-Marie, an urban park in the Greater Nancy Metropolis, Lorraine, France. | © Stéphane Vitzthum / Biosphoto
2620369 RM
Soulange magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), flower - a remarkable 117-year-old tree (planted in [...]