Sparring saigas on the steppe by Andrey Giljov. Overall Winner.
Researchers from around the world entered their best imagery into the BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology image competition. These scientific images are not only aesthetically pleasing; they also show the ways in which wildlife fights to survive. From clever camouflage to battling for resources, these images show both the beauty and struggle of life on Earth.
With his beautifully framed photo of two saigas engaged in battle, Andrey Giljov won the competition. Giljov, who is a a senior lecturer at Saint Petersburg State University, took the image from a camoflauged hide deep in Central Asia’s steppes. Saigas, a type of antelope known for its oversized nose, are tough animals that defend large harems of females. While the battles can be vicious, Giljov was able to capture a quieter moment.
“Saiga fights in spring, outside of the tournament season, are quieter and more about training than determining status,” he shares. “However, the males take every opportunity to practice.”
His photograph, where the sandy colored saigas blend into their environment, is a fascinating look at the Eurasian animal’s social behavior. And this was just one of many interesting images in the compeition, which also awarded winners in four categories: Collective and Social Behavior, Life in Motion, Research in Action, and Colorful Strategies.
Particularly interesting is an image by Dr. Abhijeet Bayani, a biologist from the Indian Institute of Science. His photograph of a black and yellow beetle won the Colorful Strategies category. The photo is certainly beautiful, but it becomes all the more fascinating when Dr. Bayani recounts the story of its coloration.
“When I first found the beetle, it appeared to be just a drab-looking insect without any evident pattern,” he recalls. “But as I began spending time photographing it from the front, the beetle seemed to perceive my camera lens as a predator. It suddenly turned jet black and bright yellow, developing black spots that created a bull-like face, out of nowhere.”
Scroll down to see even more winners from the contest and head over to BMC Ecology and Evolution to read all of the stories behind the images.
Researchers from around the world entered their best imagery into the joint 2025 BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology competition.
Deimatic Beetle’s Eye for an Eye by Abhijeet Bayani, Indian Institute of Science. Winner, Colorful Strategies
Nymphs and nature: A Close-Up Journey by Sritam Kumar Sethy. Winner, Collective and Social Behavior
Jump! by Alwin Hardenbol. Runner-Up, Life in Motion
Pterosaurs in flight over the Jurassic Hebridean Basin by Natalia Jagielska. Winner, Life in Motion
Radio-Tagging to study one of the UK’s rarest beetles by Nick Royle, University of Exeter, UK. Winner, Research in Action
The photos highlight the beauty and struggle of life looking to survive—and thrive—on Earth.
Mastering the art of camouflage by Sritam Kumar Sethy. Runner-Up, Colorful Strategies
Galliform Guard Duty by Jack Bamber. Runner-Up, Research in Action
The lookout by Alwin Hardenbol. Highly Commended, Collective and Social Behavior
Saving my catch in flight by Delip K. Das. Highly Commended, Collective and Social Behavior
Spot me if you can by Jonathan Goldenberg. Highly Commended, Colorful Strategies
BMC Ecology and Evolution: Website
All images via BMC Ecology and Evolution.
Related Articles:
20 Incredible Nominees for the BigPicture Natural World People’s Choice Award
15 Otherworldly Finalists of the 2025 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest
Rare Red Sprites and Glowing Scorpions Win the 2025 Capture the Dark Photo Contest
Cute Bioluminescent Marsupial Is a Standout Finalist of Tasmania’s Science Photography Prize