Some have a career in photography. Others do it as a hobby. However, for researchers in the field or in the lab, it is often a work hazard.

of Ecology and evolution of BMC Image contests make space each year to celebrate these super-close-up, super-detailed, or super-rare nominees. BioMed Central Ecology and Evolution, the winners and runners-up are made up of scientists from all over the world. The 2022 submissions were grouped into four categories: actual research, close-ups of life, threatened biodiversity, and nature’s relationships.

[Related: 8 award-winning photos of nature’s stranger things]

The overall winner (shown above) was photographed in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve by evolutionary biologist and professional photographer Roberto García-Roa.It depicts the spores of so-called “zombie” fungi (for example, the genus ophiocordyceps) infects arthropods by invading their exoskeleton and heart,” says Garciaroa in the contest description. Here they await death, at which point the fungus eats the host and produces a spore-filled fruiting body that is dumped to infect more victims – thousands of years of evolution Conquest shaped by

look pop scienceCheck out our selections from the final lineup below, and check out the journal’s website for information about the 2023 contest soon.