2002 Winners Category 2: Science close-up

Winner

Enlarged view Photographer: Jaco Klok Title: Centipede spiracle Description: The spiracle (breathing opening measuring 0.25 mm in length) of the southern African centipede species, Cormocephalus morsitans (Scolopendromorpha). Most scolopendromorph species have nine pairs of spiracles on every alternate body segment. Through the opening (the spiracular ostium) and between the fringes of yellow trichiae lining the opening, the three septa of the spiracular valve are visible.

Highly commended entries

Enlarged view Photographer: Maya Rösch Title: Woodcutting 1 Description: Cross-section of wood seen through a microscope. Enlarged view Photographer: Glynis Goodman Title: Cineraria does it in style Description: The papillose style tips of a floret of the daisy Cineraria cyanomontana, which is endemic to the Blouberg Mountain in Limpopo Province. Enlarged view Photographer: Ronald Natale Heath Title: Rising pycnidia Description: A pycnidia of the asexual state of the fungus Cryphonectria cobensis rising from a piece of bark. This pathogen leads to major losses in the Eucalyptus forestry industry. Enlarged view Photographer: Verena Meyer Title: Genetics in action Description: Duplication of a Bacillus spp cell. Enlarged view Photographer: Martina Meincken Title: Chromosome 2 Description: A chromosome in metaphase, just before division. The spread "legs" are clearly visible.

Enlarged view Photographer: Miranda Waldron Title: Silver leaves Description: Fingers of silver paint, air dried and viewed with a scanning electron microscope (magnification approx 7 000 x). Enlarged view Photographer: D. Michael Lang Title: Xenopus Oligodendrocytes - Beauty in a frog's brain No.3 Description: Detail of a cultured myelin-forming cell (oligodendrocyte) from the Xenopus central nervous system. Enlarged view Photographer: Miranda Waldron Title: Diatom Description: A microfossil of a diatom viewed with a scanning Electron microscope (magnification approximately 10 000 x). Enlarged view Photographer: Ronald Natale Heath Title: Flowering fungi Description: A fungus in the order myxomycetes with conidia on conidiophores.