Invisible Oceans Founder's Collection: Invisible Oceans #1: Invisible Oceans #8: Stomatopoda IV

The eye of a needle perhaps best conveys some idea of the size of many planktonic animals. Here, the large, transparent, stalk-eyed, Alima larva of a species of Mantis Shrimp is seen beyond the needle eye. Many planktonic species are so small that many hundred could fit within the space of the needle's eye. Alima larvae are vicious predators and have wicked grasping forelimbs that snatch at passing prey.

Lizard Island, Australia (1998)

Nikon F3 | Custom Optics | Fuji Velvia