Microscopic beauty: Prize-winning photos

20th place: "Embryos of the species Molossus rufus, the black mastiff bat. These images formed part of an embryonic staging system for this species."

The Nikon International Small World photography contest shines a light on the very small. For decades, the contest has showcased the beauty of photomicrography -- photographs taken through a microscope. Out of 2,000 submissions, the contest chose twenty standouts to honor.

Credit: Dorit Hockman/ Nikon Small World