Konrad Wothe / Tropical rainforest at the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, northern Ecuador.

Konrad Wothe / Tropical rainforest at the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, northern Ecuador.

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) portrait, cleared and stained by scientists, showing cartilage in blue and bones in red. Clearly visible in this picture are the pharyngeal jaws...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) portrait, cleared and stained by scientists, showing cartilage in blue and bones in red. Clearly visible in this picture are the pharyngeal jaws...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) portrait, cleared and stained by scientists, showing cartilage in blue and bones in red. Clearly visible in this picture are the pharyngeal jaws...

Solvin Zankl / Amphipod (Streetsia challengeri) portrait, showing unique eye structure where the left and right eyes have fused into a single cylindrical photoreceptor. This structure, occupying the basal half of a...

Solvin Zankl / A marine biologist taking a water sample from a Rosette water sampler. This crucial activity forms part of the research conducted during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic, specifically in...

Solvin Zankl / A marine biologist retrieving the the multinet with samples from the deep sea catch. This catch was sourced from a depth of 1000 meters. Such research activities are a crucial part of expeditions con...

Solvin Zankl / Amphipod (Themisto gaudichaudii) portrait. A dominant predator in plankton communities, frequently ranking third in abundance after copepods and krill. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South At...

Solvin Zankl / Hatchetfish (Maurolicus walvisensis) close up of photophores beneath its body, emitting bioluminescent light. This glow, directed downward through light-guides, likely serves as counterillumination vi...

Solvin Zankl / Hatchetfish (Maurolicus walvisensis) ventral view portrait, showing photophores beneath its body, emitting bioluminescent light. This glow, directed downward through light-guides, likely serves as cou...

Solvin Zankl / Deep-sea hatchetfish (Maurolicus walvisensis) portrait, showing bioluminescent organs along the underside of its body. These fish inhabit the mesopelagic zone of the open sea, typically at depths of 1...

Solvin Zankl / Lanternfish (Lampadena pontifex) portrait. Typically found at depths of 700 to 1,500 m during the day and 20 to 200 m (70 to 660 ft) at night. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic, B...

Solvin Zankl / Bigscale deep sea smelt (Melanolagus bericoides) portrait, showing small mouth and specially adapted eyes with receptors consisting solely of light-sensitive rods and robust visual pigments, enable it...

Solvin Zankl / Bigscale deep sea smelt (Melanolagus bericoides) portrait, showing small mouth and specially adapted eyes with receptors consisting solely of light-sensitive rods and robust visual pigments, enable it...

Solvin Zankl / Bigscale deep sea smelt (Melanolagus bericoides) portrait, showing specially adapted eyes with receptors consisting solely of light-sensitive rods and robust visual pigments, enable it to detect even...

Solvin Zankl / Brachyuran crab, megalopa larva stage, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic, Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa and Namibia. Captive.

Solvin Zankl / Brachyuran crab, megalopa larva stage, resting on top of a Jellyfish, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic, Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa and Namibia. Capti...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) female, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic Ocean, in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa a...

Solvin Zankl / Marine biologist sorting fish by species and placing on ice. This ensures that their DNA remains intact for subsequent dissection in the laboratory and tissue collection for future DNA analysis. Obser...

Solvin Zankl / Marine biologists using the Rectangular Midwater Trawl (RMT) net, with an opening of 8m2, used to collect deep-sea organisms. It features a measurement unit at the top end, allowing the depth of the n...

Solvin Zankl / Marine biologists using the Rectangular Midwater Trawl (RMT) net, with an opening of 8m2, used to collect deep-sea organisms. It features a measurement unit at the top end, allowing the depth of the n...

Solvin Zankl / Globehead grenadier (Cetonurus globiceps) portrait, residing in the bathypelagic zone at depths of 1,000-4,000 m. It is characterized by a massive gelatinous head, a very short trunk, and a long, tape...

Solvin Zankl / Globehead grenadier (Cetonurus globiceps) portrait, residing in the bathypelagic zone at depths of 1,000-4,000 m. It is characterized by a massive gelatinous head, a very short trunk, and a long, tape...

Solvin Zankl / Hudson's lanternfish (Diaphus hudsoni) portrait, known for their bioluminescence, exhibiting a display of light through organs on their head, chest, and abdomen, complemented by reflective scales...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) female, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic Ocean, in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa a...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) female, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic Ocean, in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa a...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) female, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic Ocean, in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa a...

Solvin Zankl / Mead's lanternfish (Diaphus meadi) portrait. Typically found at depths of 700 to 1,500 m during the day and 20 to 200 m at night. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic, Benguela...

Solvin Zankl / Deep sea amphipod (Cystisoma neptuni) portrait, showing transparent body, with the exception of the stomach and its compound eyes. The segments of its highly-specialised compound eyes collect rays of...

Solvin Zankl / Deep sea amphipod (Cystisoma neptuni) portrait, showing transparent body, with the exception of the stomach and its compound eyes. The segments of its highly-specialised compound eyes collect rays of...

Solvin Zankl / Barbeled dragonfish (Astronesthes caulophorus) portrait, showing bioluminescent barbel under its lower jaw and a luminous organ beneath the eye. A series of light organs runs along its lower body, emi...

Solvin Zankl / Johnson's abyssal seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) female, portrait. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic Ocean, in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa a...

Solvin Zankl / Ram's horn squid (Spirula spirula) portrait. This species has an internal, chambered, endogastrically coiled shell in the shape of an open planispiral. The shell functions to control buoyancy. O...

Solvin Zankl / Ram's horn squid (Spirula spirula) portrait. This species has an internal, chambered, endogastrically coiled shell in the shape of an open planispiral. The shell functions to control buoyancy. O...

Solvin Zankl / Ram's horn squid (Spirula spirula) portrait. This species has an internal, chambered, endogastrically coiled shell in the shape of an open planispiral. The shell functions to control buoyancy. O...

Solvin Zankl / Pacific hatchetfish (Argyropelecus affinis) portrait exhibiting bioluminescence. It resides in the mesopelagic zone. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic's Benguela upwelling re...

Solvin Zankl / Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) portrait, found at depths over 500 metres, uniquely adapted to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the ocean. Its body is equipped with bioluminescent organs. Ob...

Solvin Zankl / Ridgehead (Scopelogadus sp.) portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, South Atlantic's Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa and Namibia. Captive.

Solvin Zankl / Scaly dragonfish (Stomias boa) head portrait, showing distinctive long barbel under the lower jaw, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic, specifically in the Benguela upwelling...

Solvin Zankl / Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) portrait, found at depths over 500 metres, uniquely adapted to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the ocean. Its body is equipped with bioluminescent organs. Ob...

Solvin Zankl / Smalltooth dragonfish (Pachystomias microdon) portrait, showing barbel and bioluminescence. One of the three deep-sea fish capable of producing red light bioluminescence. Pachystomias can produce and...

Solvin Zankl / Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) portrait, found at depths over 500 metres, uniquely adapted to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the ocean. Its body is equipped with bioluminescent organs. Ob...

Solvin Zankl / Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) portrait, found at depths over 500 metres, uniquely adapted to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the ocean. Its body is equipped with bioluminescent organs. Ob...

Solvin Zankl / Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) portrait, found at depths over 500 metres, uniquely adapted to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the ocean. Its body is equipped with bioluminescent organs. Ob...

Solvin Zankl / Amphipod (Hyperiidea) portrait. Ranging from 2 to 35 mm in size, characterized by their large eyes, often dominating the head, and their spherical-like shape. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, i...

Solvin Zankl / Ridgehead (Scopelogadus sp.) portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic, Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa and Namibia.Captive.

Solvin Zankl / A marine biologist taking a water sample. This activity is part of the research conducted during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic, specifically in the Benguela upwelling region off the co...

Solvin Zankl / Barbeled dragonfish (Melanostomias tentaculatus) head portrait, showing barbel and bioluminescence. Inhabiting depths of 30-950m. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the Atlantic, Benguela upwe...

Solvin Zankl / Cock-eyed squid (Histioteuthis bonnellii) portrait. This squid has different sized eyes, the right eye is normal-sized; whereas the left eye is at least twice the diameter of the right eye and bulges...

Solvin Zankl / Spangled tubeshoulder (Persparsia kopua) portrait. It has a unique shoulder organ - a sac filled with luminescent fluid located behind the gills. When threatened, this fish can release the fluid to di...

Solvin Zankl / Cock-eyed squid (Histioteuthis bonnellii) portrait. This squid has different sized eyes, the right eye is normal-sized; whereas the left eye is at least twice the diameter of the right eye and bulges...

Solvin Zankl / Cock-eyed squid (Histioteuthis bonnellii) portrait. This squid has different sized eyes, the right eye is normal-sized; whereas the left eye is at least twice the diameter of the right eye and bulges...

Solvin Zankl / Planktonic copepod (Euchirella sp.) portrait. These copepods are known for their characteristic body structure with long, sideways-directed antennae and are vital in the marine food chain, linking phy...

Solvin Zankl / Group of Brachyuran crabs, zoea larvae stage, portrait, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic, specifically in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South Africa and N...

Solvin Zankl / Goosefish (Lophius sp.) larval stage, laterally flattened with elongated dorsal and pectoral fin rays. Common in the Atlantic's ichthyoplankton community, their transition from larval to juvenile...

Solvin Zankl / Goosefish (Lophius sp.) larval stage, laterally flattened with elongated dorsal and pectoral fin rays. Common in the Atlantic's ichthyoplankton community, their transition from larval to juvenile...

Solvin Zankl / Spiny lobster (Panulirus sp.) pueruli larva stage, portrait. This stage marks the transformation of the pelagic swimming phyllosoma into a puerulus, signaling a shift from a pelagic to a benthic lifec...

Solvin Zankl / Pelagic polychaete (Alciopa reynaudii) portrait. These pelagic worms are known for their fragile, thin, transparent bodies and large, complex spherical eyes with an internal lens. Observed during RV S...

Solvin Zankl / Spiny lobster (Panulirus sp.) pueruli larva stage, portrait. This stage marks the transformation of the pelagic swimming phyllosoma into a puerulus, signaling a shift from a pelagic to a benthic lifec...

Solvin Zankl / Warming's lanternfish (Ceratoscopelus warmingii) portrait, showing bioluminescence. It occupies depths of 700 to 1,500m during the day and rises to 20 to 200m at night. Observed during RV Sonne,...

Solvin Zankl / Sea butterfly (Diacavolinia limbata) portrait. These creatures flutter through the water with their foot divided into two paddles. By storing carbon in their calcareous shells, they help the ocean abs...

Solvin Zankl / Barbeled dragonfish (Melanostomias tentaculatus) portrait, showing barbel and bioluminescence, Inhabiting depths of 30-950m. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the Atlantic, Benguela upwelling...

Solvin Zankl / Piglet squid (Helicocranchia sp.) portrait.These squids start their life near the surface as paralarvae and gradually descend to lower mesopelagic depths as they approach near-adulthood. Observed duri...

Solvin Zankl / Sea butterfly (Limacina bulimoides) portrait, a swimming predatory sea snail, characterized by their wing-like parapodia allowing them to move through water like butterflies in the air. Observed durin...

Solvin Zankl / German research vessel SONNE at night shining huge spotlight on the ocean, during an expedition Cruise SO285 in the South Atlantic, specifically in the Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South...

Solvin Zankl / Piglet squid (Helicocranchia sp.) portrait. These squids start their life near the surface as paralarvae and gradually descend to lower mesopelagic depths as they approach near-adulthood. Observed dur...

Solvin Zankl / Pram bug amphipod (Phronima sp.) portrait, inhabiting the pelagic zone of the deep ocean. These creatures are known for their semi-transparent bodies. Observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the So...

Solvin Zankl / Rosette water sampler (also known as a CTD-rosette or carousel) equipped with a CTD system for measuring conductivity, temperature and depth, being brought aboard the German research vessel SONNE, Cru...

Solvin Zankl / Dumeril's lanternfish (Diaphus dumerilii) portrait, showing bioluminescence, observed during RV Sonne, Cruise SO285, in the South Atlantic's Benguela upwelling region off the coast of South...

Solvin Zankl / Deep sea squid (Liocranchia reinhardtii) portrait, inhabit depths up to 1,000 metres, it undergoes a gradual descent from near the surface as paralarvae to lower mesopelagic depths as near-adults. Obs...

Solvin Zankl / Piglet squid (Helicocranchia sp.) portrait. These squids start their life near the surface as paralarvae and gradually descend to lower mesopelagic depths as they approach near-adulthood. Observed dur...

Solvin Zankl / Rosette water sampler (also known as a CTD-rosette or carousel) equipped with a CTD system for measuring conductivity, temperature and depth, being brought aboard the German research vessel SONNE, Cru...

Solvin Zankl / Rosette water sampler (also known as a CTD-rosette or carousel) equipped with a CTD system for measuring conductivity, temperature and depth, being brought aboard the German research vessel SONNE, Cru...

Solvin Zankl / Sea butterfly (Cymbulia peronii) portrait, a pelagic sea snail which instead of an external calcareous shell, it has a pseudoconch made of conchioline, a cartilaginous tissue. They have also lost thei...

Solvin Zankl / Rosette water sampler (also known as a CTD-rosette or carousel) equipped with a CTD system for measuring conductivity, temperature and depth, being brought aboard the German research vessel SONNE, Cru...