Melanesia Collection (page 2)

Schmidts wrinkled ground frog (Cornufer schmidti / Platymantis schmidti), endemic to the Bismarck Arpichelago, Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December

RF - Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or royalty free.)

Portrait of a Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) on a large Yellow elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta). Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Portrait of a large female Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) swimming over a coral reef. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Free swimming mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus). Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) viewed from above, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. Indonesia

Crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii) close up eye, captive, occurs in New Guinea

Soft corals (Dendronephthya sp) in coral reef, West Papua, New Guinea

Indonesian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas) with tongue extended, captive, from Papua New Guinea

Gorgonian / Sea whip coral (Ellisella ceratophyta) with Ring tailed cardinalfish (Apogon aureus) swimming in front, West Papua, Indonesia

RF - Soft coral (Dendronephthya sp. ) growing on sea bed. West Papua, Indonesia
RF - Soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.) growing on sea bed. West Papua, Indonesia

Flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp. ), Triton Bay, near Kaimana, West Papua
Flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp.), Triton Bay, near Kaimana, West Papua, Indonesia

Magnificent bird of paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus) male, Lower montane highlands near Mount Hagen, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. Endemic

A climber plant in the montane rainforest, near FakFak, Mainland New Guinea, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

Close up of leaf from montane rainforest with distinct veins, Mainland New Guinea, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

Blue and gold fusilier / Scissor tailed fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) school swimming through shafts of sunlight, West Papua, Indonesia

Sargassum fish (Histrio histrio) near the surface on floating Sargassum seaweed, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules) recently emerged in montane rinforest. Ambua Lodge, Tari, Hela Province, Papua New Guinea. June

Oxbow lake adjacent to the Karawari River, Papua New Guinea, August

Montane rainforest orchid, near FakFak, Mainland New Guinea, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea, on the Science et Images " Expedition Papua, in the footsteps of Wallace, by Iris Foundation

A small dive boat is anchored off the coast of Papua New Guinea. This tropical area is part of the Coral Triangle due to its high marine biodiversity

Aerial view of reef and island in Papua New Guinea. The remote, tropical islands in this region are home to extraordinary marine biodiversity

Sunrise illuminates a remote island and lagoon off the coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. This area is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity

A gorgeous, tropical island is surrounded by reef in Papua New Guinea. This remote area is part of the Coral Triangle due to its marine biodiversity

Lush jungle on a remote tropical island is fringed by a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Rainforest covers the remote Mary Island which is fringed by a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This country is home to amazing marine biodiversity

A bright rainbow appears behind a remote tropical island in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Lush, tropical islands are fringed by diverse coral reefs in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

A coral reef surrounds idyllic islands near New Britain in Papua New Guinea. This area is part of the Coral Triangle due to its biodiversity

A coral reef surrounds idyllic, tropical islands off the coast of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. This area is part of the Coral Triangle

A lush, tropical island is fringed by a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Tropical islands are fringed by coral reefs in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful South Pacific country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

A healthy, robust coral reef surrounds a scenic bay in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Lush, tropical islands are fringed by robust coral reefs in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

The first light of day illuminates clouds drifting above remote islands in the Solomon Islands. This scenic area is home to high marine biodiversity

A scenic tropical island is fringed by a healthy coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

The last light of day illuminates clouds drifting above remote islands in the Solomon Islands. This country is home to high marine biodiversity

Storm clouds dump rain near a remote tropical island in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Extensive coral reefs fringe rainforest-covered islands in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

A scenic mangrove forest is fringed by a healthy coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

A beautiful coral reef surrounds a scenic island in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Coral reefs fringe convoluted, tropical islands found in a remote part of the Solomon Islands. This country harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity

Seen from a bird's eye view, a healthy coral reef thrives in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful country is home to spectacular marine biodiversity

Seen from a bird's eye view, the thick, green canopy of a healthy rainforest hides the understory of a remote, tropical island in Papua New Guinea

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) swimming close to surface with islands in background, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae), detail, Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Large whip goby (Bryaninops amplus) with a parasitic copepod (with two trailing egg ribbons) perched on Red whip coral. Whale Rock. Fiabacet Islands, Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) peering out from amongst the coral, Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

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Melanesia, a captivating region in the South Pacific, is home to an array of breathtaking wonders. Among them is the magnificent Ornithoptera alexandrae, also known as Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly. Its vibrant colors and graceful flight make it a true gem of Melanesian biodiversity. Venturing into the rainforests of New Caledonia, one may encounter the striking Kagu with its crest erect. This unique bird species showcases its beauty amidst lush greenery, reminding us of the rich diversity found within these pristine habitats. Exploring beneath Melanesia's azure waters reveals another fascinating creature—the Bull Shark in Fiji. Known for their formidable presence and adaptability to both saltwater and freshwater environments, they command respect as one of nature's most impressive predators. In West Papua, Indonesia lies an underwater spectacle that seems straight out of a discotheque—the Electric fileclam or Disco clam (Ctenoides ales). Its mesmerizing light display captivates all who witness it, adding yet another layer to Melanesia's natural marvels. The Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) finds solace among the tentacles of the Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica), forming a symbiotic relationship that exemplifies harmony in this aquatic paradise. Delving deeper into Melanesian waters unveils an enigmatic creature—the Bigfin squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Hovering effortlessly above open water, its portrait evokes wonder and curiosity about what other mysteries lie hidden below. Beyond its awe-inspiring wildlife, Melanesia boasts historical significance too. With cartography at heart—represented by compass roses on maps—it has been intricately linked to navigation across vast oceans like the Indian Ocean. The Mercator projection aids our understanding of this vast region's geography while highlighting Melanesia's place on Earth’s tapestry. Melanesia's cultural tapestry is equally captivating.