Solvin Zankl,Solvin Zankl / Giant deep-sea isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) Picture was taken in cooperation with the Zoological Museum University of Hamburg

Paul D Stewart / Illustration of Giant Octopus (Octopus dofleini) attacking a ship, 1815 copperplate engraving from Bertuch's 'Bilderbuch fur kinder' 16 plate 5. with contemporary colour. 'Colosal Polypus' (octopus) a...

Juergen Freund / Ancient pictographs (rock / cave paintings) of fish and sea creatures on karst limestone formations. Sunmalelen area, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, January 2010

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) juvenile on a kelp frond, Sula Sgeir, Western Isles, Scotland, UK, February.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Long spined scorpion fish (Taurulus bubalis) camoflouged, Sula Sgeir, Scotland.

David Fleetham / Painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus) with first dorsal spine and lure extended to attract prey. Dumaguete, Philippines.

Michael Pitts / Jellyfish (Versuriga anadyomene) with fish finding protection among its tentacles, Palau, Pacific.

Michael Pitts / Maldives anemone fish (Amphiprion nigripes) hiding in anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Maldives.

Michael Pitts / Maldives anemone fish (Amphiprion nigripes) hiding in anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Maldives.

Michael Pitts / Yellow-margined moray (Gymothorax flavimarginatus) with accompaning cleaner shrimp. Maldives.

Michael Pitts / Maldives anemone fish (Amphiprion nigripes) hiding in anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Maldives.

Michael Pitts / Reef whitetip shark (Triaenodon obesus) pup hiding in the reef. Maldives

Michael Pitts / Maldives anemone fish (Amphiprion nigripes) hiding in anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Maldives.

Willem Kolvoort / Anse de Mais beach with tracks of the Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the beach which is nesting site for these turtles. Aldabra, Seychelles, April 2005

Willem Kolvoort / Anse de Mais beach seen from underneath arch, with tracks of the Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the beach which is nesting site for these turtles. Aldabra, Seychelles, April 2005

Alex Mustard / Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) resting under Coral head, covered in orange soft corals. Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Alex Mustard / Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) resting under coral, covered in orange soft corals. Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) resting under coral, covered in orange soft corals. Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / A close up of the eye of a Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) illuminated with light from a snoot tube, Batanta Island, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Alex Mustard / The skin of a Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon), showing the rough placoid scales, commonly called denticles. These scales have the same structure as the shark's teeth and are as roug...

Alex Mustard / Unborn squid, probably bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) inside a sausage shaped egg case. Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi Sea.

Alex Mustard / Female ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) with eggs clasped between her pelvic fins. Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi Sea.

Alex Mustard / Female Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) broods her eggs, wrapped in her arms, while she lies protected in an old giant clam shell. Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) using two halves of a coconut as a home. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) using two halves of a coconut as a home. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) shelters in an empty clam shell. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) shelters in an empty clam shell. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) shelters in an empty clam shell. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) crosses the sand to take shelter in an empty clam shell. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molucca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Backlit photo of a Robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) reveals a small fish that it has just eaten in its stomach. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Molluca Sea.

Alex Mustard / Male Yellow-headed jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) blows out the clutch of eggs he is incubating in his mouth to oxygenate them. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Caribbea...

Alex Mustard / Egg sacs of a female lionfish (Pterois volitans). Females can produce two large sacs filled with 1000s of eggs every 3-4 days. A large, well-fed, female lionfish can produce 2 million eggs per year. L...

Alex Mustard / Skin of a nurse shark (Ginglymostom cirratum) showing the rough placoid scales, commonly called denticles. These scales have the same structure as the shark's teeth and are as rough as sandpaper when...

Alex Mustard / Partly disected female lionfish (Pterois volitans) showing stomach contents of nine small reef fish and a shrimp. Two large egg masses are also visible. Although native to the Indo-Pacific, this lionf...

Alex Mustard / Tiny Arrow Blenny (Lucayablennius zingaro) tail cocked ready to send its streamlined body shooting forward to catch its prey. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Carib...

Alex Mustard / Lionfish (Pterois volitans) fritters offered as an after dive snack. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, but introduced to the Caribbean Sea from aquariums, they are now widespread, abundant and...

Alex Mustard / Group of smaller male Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) rub along the flanks of a larger female during courtship as they swim over Coral reef. George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies...

Claudio Contreras / Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) preening on top of cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei), El Requeson beach, Bahia Concepcion, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) juvenile and White sea urchin (Tripneustes depressus), Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Graybar grunt (Haemulon sexfasciatum) with Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) for cleanup, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Mexican goatfish (Mulloidichthys dentatus) with Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) which act as cleaner fish, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Graybar grunt (Haemulon sexfasciatum) asking Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) which act as cleaner fish, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) feeding on fish, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Yellow legged gull (Larus livens) preening, Santispac beach, Bahia Concepcion, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, May

Claudio Contreras / Yellow legged gull (Larus livens) drinking water, Santispac beach, Bahia Concepcion, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, May

Claudio Contreras / Yellow legged gull (Larus livens) bathing, Santispac beach, Bahia Concepcion, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, May

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in front of guano covered rocks with Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of Californ...

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in front of guano covered rocks with Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of Californ...

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in front of guano covered rocks with Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of Californ...

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) on rocky coast, with one calling, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus) calling on rocky coast, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus) calling on rocky coast, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus) calling on rocky coast, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus) calling on rocky coast, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus) calling on rocky coast, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) preening, Espiritu Santo Island National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, April

Claudio Contreras / Brown crested flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) eating fruit, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Brown crested flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) eating fruit, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea), IUCN Vulnerable, yellow morph, and Graybar grunt (Haemulon sexfasciatum), Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Claudio Contreras / Yellowfin surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus) with Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) in the background, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Juan Carlos Munoz / White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in flight, Norway, April

Markus Varesvuo / Large flock of Guillemots (Uria aalge) flying over the sea in falling snow, Vardo, Norway, March.

Markus Varesvuo / Guillemot (Uria aalge) flying over the sea in falling snow, Vardo, Norway, March.

Markus Varesvuo / Large flock of Guillemots (Uria aalge) flying over the sea in falling snow, Vardo, Norway, March.

Markus Varesvuo / Flock of Guillemots (Uria aalge) flying over the sea, Vardo, Norway, March.

Ben Cranke / Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) relaxing and preening in low tide pool on shoreline, Petermann Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. Highly commended in the Single Species Portfolio of the Terre...

Ben Cranke / Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) preening in low tide pool on shoreline, Petermann Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ben Cranke / Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua) squabbling, Petermann Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ben Cranke / Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) group resting and preening intide pool on shoreline, Petermann Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ben Cranke / Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) nesting near the sea, Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Pyjama shark (Poroderma africanum) curling into itself as a defensive, protective posture when thrown back into the sea. Kommetjie, Western Cape, South Africa.

Franco Banfi / Common Cuttlefish, (Sepia officinalis) The Cave diving site, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Slope close to wreck of the cargo boat 'Vassilios T' with Bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) with Sea star (Hacelia attenuata) Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Spider crab (Maja squinado) and Yellow cluster anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) Stupiste Out dive site, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Wall covered with Sponges (Verongia / Aplysina cavernicola) and Red gorgonia (Paramuricea clavata) Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Catshark egg (Scyliorhinus sp) on Red sea fan (Paramuricea clavata) Stupiste In dive site, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Red sea fan (Paramuricea clavata) and Yellow cluster anemones (Parazoanthus axinellae) Wall of Bisevo, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Black coral (Gerardia savaglia) and Red sea fan (Paramuricea clavata) Wall of Bisevo, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) with eggs, Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) and Yellow cluster anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) Punta Sant'Angelo dive-site, Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) and fish, Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) and Yellow cluster anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean

Franco Banfi / Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) Yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini), Yellow sponges (Aplysina cavernicola) and Yellow cluster anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) Punta Sant'Angelo dive-site, Ischia Is...

Franco Banfi / Scuba diver and Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) Yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) and Yellow Cluster Anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae), Punta Sant'Angelo dive-site, Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenia...

Franco Banfi / Red seafan (Paramuricea clavata) Yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) and Yellow Cluster Anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) Punta Sant'Angelo dive-site, Ischia Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterran...

Franco Banfi / Camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion) Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Nudibranch (Thecacera picta) Friwinbonda Point, Kri island, Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Eye detail of Tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) Cendana Jetty, Waigeo island, Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Crinoid (Crindoea) spawning large quantities of eggs in water, Cendana Jetty, Waigeo island, Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Eyespot blenny (Ecsenius ops) Cendana Jetty, Waigeo island, Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Orang-utan crab (Achaeus japonicus) on anemones, Waigeo island, Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Nudibranch (Nembrotha cristata) Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Blenny (Parablennius pilicornis) male at 'Punta Madonna' dive-site, Ponza Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea.

Franco Banfi / Blenny (Parablennius pilicornis) female at 'Punta Madonna' dive-site, Ponza Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea.

Franco Banfi / Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) mother and calf, Pico Island, Azores, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean

Franco Banfi / Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) mother and calf, Pico Island, Azores, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean