Isopoda Photo stories Strange but true Fluorescent scorpions
Fluorescent scorpions

By Francesco Tomasinelli 

Scorpions shine in ultra-violet (UV) light. They are the only creature to do so. Researchers can find them in the dark UV light because they look like jewels when lit.
The mechanism is still not completely clear but involves beta-carboline molecules, studied because they could be useful in healing some eye diseases in humans. This adaptation can shield scorpion from noxious UV radiation typical of deserts.

A special thanks to Fabio Pupin and Emanuele Biggi for their precious help.

 

 

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16-12-2011 Two new short stories in "Strange but true" with tiger beetles and devil flower mantis. Updated Quirimbas Islands reportage 

30-4-2011 New scientific exhibition Predatori del microcosmo at Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, until 27-6-2011 

25-02-2011 New photo gallery on fireflies, Il ritorno delle lucciole.

03-02-2011 New scientific exhibition Copioni e copiati for Arte e Scienza in Piazza 2011, in Bologna, until 13-02-2011.

08-1-2011 New photo gallery on Iran and persian architecture

05-12-2010 New scientific exhibition Predatori del microcosmo at Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, Trento, until 13-2-2011 

29-11-2010 New gallery Professione naturalista, on people working in natural sciences

28-10-2010 New scientific exhibition Copioni e copiati, for Festival della Scienza 2010, at Castello d'Albertis, Genova, until 5-12-2010

22-10-2010 New pictures exhibition until 11-06-2011 at Museo di Storia Naturale di Torino: Taxon, with pictures by F. Tomasinelli and P. Richaud

13-09-2010 New gallery on Valley of Butterflies, Rhodes, Greece

About this site

Welcome to Isopoda.net, website of Italian biologist and science photographer Francesco Tomasinelli. My favourite photographic subjects are unusual animals, travels and scientists at work, but I shoot many other topics, like sports, events and corporate pictures. I work as scientific consultant too, mainly on ecology topics.

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