Images Dated 8th January 2003

Blowfly pupa hatching, SEM

Blowfly pupa hatching. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Calliphora vicina blowfly adult emerging from its pupa. A blowfly lays its eggs on dead bodies and this behaviour is studied by forensic entomologists. Eggs generally hatch within 24 hours. A Calliphora larva (maggot) feeds on the decaying flesh for 2-3 weeks, and then lies dormant in its pupa, slowly developing into the adult winged form. The head with its compound eyes (blue) is emerging from this pupa. The adult form generally lives for a few weeks. After mating, the females lay eggs and continue the cycle. Hatching (by incubation) of pupae found by a dead body can pinpoint the time of death. Magnification unknown

© VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Prepared neanderthal bones for DNA extraction

MODEL RELEASED. Neanderthal genetics. Technician prepares a sample of bone from a fossil of a Neanderthal human, Homo sapiens neanderthalis, for an analysis of its DNA genetic material. Neanderthals were early humans who lived in Europe and the Middle East from 100, 000 to 30, 000 years ago. Compared to modern humans, Neanderthals had a relatively large face with a sloping forehead, brow ridge and no chin. It has been suggested that Neanderthals were the ancestors of modern Europeans. Comparisons of DNA extracted from Neanderthal fossils with modern DNA have shown that this is unlikely. Photographed in Svante Paabo's laboratory at Munich University, Germany

© VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY