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ALT Natural History Museum researcher Inez Januszczak during fieldwork for the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
ALT Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) at its breeding grounds in Co. Monaghan, Ireland during June 2022. Credit: William O’Connor.
ALT Close-up photograph of a small moth resting on a white daisy with a yellow center. Text overlay reads: “For the Darwin Tree of Life project, specimens need to be identified while still alive — one of the most difficult parts of the workflow.” Additional text lists target groups from the field trip: psyllid bugs, ichneumonid wasps, and chrysomelid beetles. The image highlights the challenge of live specimen identification during biodiversity genomics sampling.
ALT A metallic blue-black oil beetle walks across leaf litter and low vegetation on a woodland floor. Text overlay explains that if a species has already been collected for the project, it is released, while only new, recollected, or supplementary specimens are retained for genome sequencing efforts. The image illustrates the Darwin Tree of Life programme's approach to minimizing specimen collection while obtaining material needed for genome sequencing.
ALT emerald green beetle, a Rose Chafer, on a gree stemmed flowering plant.
ALT A field biologist stands outdoors holding an insect net in a grassy landscape bordered by trees. Text overlay reads: “A day in the life of a biodiversity sampling team.” Additional text states: “Before a genome can be sequenced, someone has to find the species.” The image highlights the field collection stage that precedes biodiversity genome sequencing.
ALT A collage of images highlighting the ocean, and human partners. Text says Happy World Ocean Day 2026. The images are on a white background.
ALT Photograph of the Fragaria moschata specimen from which samples were taken for genome sequencing. Photo: Maarten J. M. Christenhusz
ALT Read the full Genome Note for Buteo buteo here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12481152/ Photograph by Björn Strey/Flikr
ALT Springtails can range in shape from the elongate entomobryomorphs to the rotund, globular symphypleonans. Macro-photography reveals details of the eyes, hairs, and patterns which are often crucial for identifying springtails to species level. Image credit: Tim Jonas, photographer.
ALT Close-up of a large butterfly perched on Sir David Attenborough's finger against a leafy background.
