natural history

European lobster Homarus gammarus with eye detail showing curved lens Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

European lobster Homarus gammarus Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)  

Common or Peleides blue morpho butterfly Morpho peleides with colour top wash.  Butterfly is on a leaf with magnified detail of the structure of the wing scales.  These ridges cause iridescence.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Reef Manta ray Manta alfredi showing two animals swimming with mouths open, filter-feeding. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Arapaima with scales Arapaima gigas Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Arapaima gigas fish showiung its distinctive scales and “etched” head Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Venus’s Flower basket Euplectella aspergillum with inset showing the lattice work of structural details. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Cow (Red Devon breed) Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Diagram line drawing of cow showing its four stomachs Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Variable kingsnake Lampropeltis Mexicana thayeri extending its head and neck Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Trunk cross section showing muscle bundles, set within the head of the African Elephant head Loxodonta africana.  (See also “Adrican elephant head” for the accompanying illustration) Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

African elephant head with trunk raised.  (See also “Trunk cross section with African Elephant” for the accompanying illustration.) Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Thorny devil Moloch horridus showing spines and a surly expression. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Great White shark Carcharodon carcharias showing denticles and skin, and the Sharklet anti-bacterial material that is has inspired. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Flipper of Humpback whale Megaptera novaeanglicae showing tubercles

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeanglicae shown side on. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus woth details of Dactyl club anatomy and composition Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus with dactyl club tucked in under thorax. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Anatomy of Bombardier beetle focussed on the glands that produce the explosive chemicals. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Bombardier beetle Pheropsophus species shown emitting high temperature explosive substance to deter predators. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Stenocara Fog or Handstand beetle.  Beetle is shown in its typical 45 degree position, facing incoming wind and fog to collect water vapour on the bumps of its elytra. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Spine cross section from a hedgehog Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

European Hedgehog Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Soldier Termite, generic image of this isopteran Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).