Fungal-mediated decay of European common newt.
For a few weeks I held my breath as this image passed through the first round of Wildlife Photographer of Year and I imagined it posted at the Natural History Museum. Alas it was not to be but I post it to show how they look for the unusual. The legend is below.
Early in the winter of 2016 I found a European common newt that had for whatever reason, not survived its hibernation under bricks. Fungal decay had already started so I put the brick into a lidded tub above water to maintain humidity. 3 weeks later the newt was just a skeleton and a mucor strain of fungus had become the dominant beneficiary. A macabre subject but illustrative of the manner in which animal tissue is recycled.
Fungal-mediated decay of European common newt.
For a few weeks I held my breath as this image passed through the first round of Wildlife Photographer of Year and I imagined it posted at the Natural History Museum. Alas it was not to be but I post it to show how they look for the unusual. The legend is below.
Early in the winter of 2016 I found a European common newt that had for whatever reason, not survived its hibernation under bricks. Fungal decay had already started so I put the brick into a lidded tub above water to maintain humidity. 3 weeks later the newt was just a skeleton and a mucor strain of fungus had become the dominant beneficiary. A macabre subject but illustrative of the manner in which animal tissue is recycled.