#roberto garcia roa

“Defeated”

“In August 2021, I found this spider near a small river in the Peruvian Tambopata rainforest. It was infested with a parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungus. This so-called “zombie fungus” infects arthropods by penetrating their exoskeleton. The fungus is able to control the behavior of its host. In this case, the spider was “compelled” to seek a location favorable for the growth of the fungus. After killing the host, the fungus fully metabolizes the inner organs of the spider and produces fruiting bodies that release spores to infect new victims.”

by Roberto Garcia Roa (Spain).

Up close and personal category winner: Roberto García Roa. Anolis lizard changing skin.

Photograph: Roberto García Roa/University of Valencia/British Ecological Society

The Art of Ecology

A small scorpion glows under UV light. 

Photo by Roberto García Roa

The Art of Ecology

A Malagasy tree boa perches in a tree. The Malagasy tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) is a non-venomous snake species endemic to Madagascar.

Photo by Roberto García Roa