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Λ G Λ T Λ S O M Λ Z Z • Art & Science for Conservation

@agatasomazz

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𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿
Aquatic Fauna
Art guided by research,
observation and care.
Available upon inquiry.

• Brazil

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

The art of noticing... by @agatasomazz

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3 days ago

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮.

Along the shore, I found the empty egg case of a skate — a small remnant of a life cycle that often goes unnoticed.

Unlike many fishes, skates reproduce by laying eggs enclosed in protective capsules. These structures, sometimes called mermaid’s purses, protect the developing embryo while it grows within.

Their form is remarkably distinctive: a flattened, leathery case framed by elongated projections. Once the young animal emerges, the empty capsule may continue its journey through the marine environment, becoming a surface for other organisms to settle upon.

There is something extraordinary about encountering such a structure outside the water. What once sheltered a developing life becomes an invitation to observe, question, and understand.

Science begins with attention. Wonder follows.

#MarineBiology #Rajiformes #MarineEcology #ScientificIllustration #OceanLife by @agatasomazz

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4 days ago

☕ Coffee.

A small ritual before the work begins.

A few pages, a quiet morning, a cup of coffee — and time to observe.
Because creation does not always begin with the pencil. Sometimes, it begins with a moment of stillness.

Happy International Coffee Day!

— Agata Somazz by @agatasomazz

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16 days ago

Studio notes —
𝗙𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗶𝗷𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗶

Initial layers in colored pencil.
Work in progress.

#Chondrichthyes
#NaturalHistory
#ArtAndScience by @agatasomazz

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6 months ago

𝗥𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀
Preliminary anatomical rendering.

This study focuses on the dorsal morphology of R. brasiliensis, with particular attention to the bilobed cephalic structure and the broad, rhomboidal pectoral disc characteristic of Rhinopteridae. Subtle tonal transitions are used to articulate surface continuity and underlying structure, emphasizing the species' adaptation to benthic foraging.

Colored pencil on paper.
Ongoing work.

#RhinopteraBrasiliensis
#Myliobatiformes
#Elasmobranchii by @agatasomazz

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7 months ago

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗮
2026
Colored pencil on paper

• No longer available. by @agatasomazz

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7 months ago

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗮
The "Discus Stingray",
an Amazon freshwater stingray.

A cartography of camouflage across a nearly perfect disc. An elasmobranch that chose the river — and refined itself within it.

Original artwork.
Colored pencil on paper.

#ParatrygonAiereba
#FreshwaterStingray
#Potamotrygonidae
#Elasmobranch
#ContemporaryNaturalist by @agatasomazz

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7 months ago

𝗚𝘆𝗺𝗻𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮 — 𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆.
Surface mapping still in progress.

#ButterflyRay
#Batoidea
#Elasmobranch
#FineArtDrawing by @agatasomazz

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8 months ago

Para sempre, Amor. by @agatasomazz

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8 months ago

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲.

A clasper is a paired reproductive structure found in male rays and sharks, adapted from the pelvic fins and essential for internal fertilization.

Graphite allows for a slower, more precise anatomical observation.

#AnatomicalStudy
#ArtAndScience
#Batoidea
#MarineBiology by @agatasomazz

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8 months ago

Scientific studies indicate that venoms from marine and freshwater stingrays contain bioactive compounds with antiproliferative and potential antitumor activity, demonstrated in in vitro assays.

These substances are part of a complex chemical system evolved for defense and include peptides, enzymes, and other biologically active molecules. Due to the high toxicity of crude venom to humans, current research focuses on the isolation, characterization, and modification of specific compounds for possible pharmacological applications.

Although research in this field remains at an early stage, these findings underscore the scientific value of biodiversity and the importance of conserving species whose biochemical properties may contribute to future therapeutic research.

#ConservationScience
#EvolutionaryBiology
#ScienceAndArt
#Potamotrygonidae
#Elasmobranch by @agatasomazz

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8 months ago

Freshwater stingrays are part of the global elasmobranch crisis.

In 2025, over 70 shark and ray species received enhanced protection under CITES CoP20 in response to population declines driven by a US$1 billion annual international trade. Yet species like the white-spotted river stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi) remain under pressure. Endemic to Brazil’s Xingu River basin, this freshwater ray is especially vulnerable due to its restricted range, slow life history, and demand in the ornamental fish trade.

Despite international regulations, illegal and unreported trade persists, fueled by weak enforcement and inconsistent reporting—masking the true scale of exploitation.
Protecting freshwater rays means strengthening enforcement, improving traceability, and reducing consumer demand.

Conservation doesn’t stop at the ocean. It flows through rivers too.

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Illustration:
𖤘 No longer available

• 2026
• Watercolor on paper
• Paper size:
11,69 in x 15,74 in
(29,7 cm x 40 cm)
• Original painting
signed by the artist

_____

References:

• IFAW — Which sharks and rays need protection and why
Slee, B. (2025, October 30). Which sharks and rays are in need of protection—and why? International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). https://www.ifaw.org/uk/journal/which-sharks-rays-need-protection-and-why

• New York Times. (2025, December 2). Wildlife trade at CITES highlights declining shark and ray populations and rising protections. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/science/wildlife-trade-cites-sharks-rays.html

• TRAFFIC — Missing Sharks II (inconsistent trade reporting)
TRAFFIC International. (2024, July 20). CITES study reveals inconsistent reporting of shark and ray trade (Missing Sharks II). https://www.traffic.org/news/missing-sharks-ii/

#FreshwaterRays #ElasmobranchConservation #RiverBiodiversity
#CITES #BrazilianBiodiversity by @agatasomazz

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8 months ago