Animal/Gallery

The biodiversity of the animals is mind-boggling.

(CC) Photo: Richard Ling Smaller fish surround a grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) in an ocean reef cave.     The cells of this hermaphrodite nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) are stained so that their nuclei glow red.     (CC) Photo: Kenny Murray In one of the many unique ways animals obtain food, rancher ants drink sugary juice from aphids (Aphis fabae) in return for the aphids' protection, an example of symbiosis and mutualism.     (CC) Photo: Ken Ichi This red beard sponge (Microciona prolifera) washed up onshore. Sponges attach to the ocean floor and passively filter feed on plankton that pass through them.     (CC) Photo: Richard Ling This granulated sea star (Choriaster granulatus) is just one of the many animals that populate the Great Barrier Reef.