scholarly journals Computed Microtomography (Micro-CT) in the Anatomical Study and Identification of Solenogastres (Mollusca)

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Martínez-Sanjuán ◽  
Kevin Kocot ◽  
Óscar García-Álvarez ◽  
María Candás ◽  
Guillermo Díaz-Agras
Keyword(s):  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
The Family ◽  
Computed Microtomography ◽  
Anatomical Characters ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Non Destructive

Solenogastres are vermiform marine molluscs characterised by an aculiferous mantle, a longitudinal ventral pedal groove and a terminal or subterminal pallial cavity. Their classification is based in part on the type of mantle sclerites, but identification to even the family level generally requires the study of internal anatomical characters. Taxonomically important internal characters include those related to radular structure, the type of ventrolateral glandular organs of the pharynx and the reproductive system, among others. In order to study their internal anatomical organisation, according to the classical reconstruction method, serial histological sections of specimens are made, from which the 2D internal anatomy of the specimen can be reconstructed manually. However, this is a time-consuming technique that results in destruction of the specimen. Computed microtomography or micro-CT is a non-destructive technique based on the measurement of the attenuation of X-rays as they pass through a specimen. Micro-CT is faster than histology for studying internal anatomy and it is non-destructive, meaning that specimens may be used for e.g., DNA extraction or retained as intact vouchers. In this paper, the utility of micro-CT for studying taxonomically important internal anatomical structures was assessed. Results of the 3D anatomical study of the soft parts of four specimens of three species using micro-CT are presented: Proneomenia sluiteriHubrecht, 1880, Dorymenia menchuescribanaeGarcía-Álvarez et al., 2000 and Anamenia gorgonophilaKowalevsky, 1880. Micro-CT enabled detailed study of most taxonomically important anatomical characters, precise measurements of structures, and observation of the relative position of organs from a variety of angles. However, it was not possible to observe the radula and some details of the ventral foregut organs could not be discerned. Despite these limitations, results of this study highlight micro-CT as a valuable tool to compliment histology in the study of solenogaster anatomy and in non-destructively identifying animals to the family and even genus-level.

scholarly journals A new Discidae subgenus and two new species (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) from the Canary Islands

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2911 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
YURENA YANES ◽  
GERALDINE A. HOLYOAK ◽  
DAVID T. HOLYOAK ◽  
MARIA R. ALONSO ◽  
MIGUEL IBÁÑEZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Canary Islands ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
New Subgenus ◽  
Eastern Atlantic Ocean ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Anatomical Characters ◽  
Warm Temperate ◽  
La Gomera

The family Discidae has undergone extensive speciation in the Macaronesian region (eastern Atlantic Ocean), with 11 endemic species recognised from Madeira and the Canary Islands in recent checklists (Bank, Groh & Ripken 2002; Seddon 2008; Fauna Europaea database project 2011), grouped into the genera Keraea Gude, 1911 and Discus Fitzinger, 1833: K. deflorata (R.T. Lowe, 1855) and D. (Atlantica) guerinianus (R.T. Lowe, 1852), from Madeira; and nine species from the Canary Islands: K. garachicoensis (Wollaston, 1878), D. scutula, (Shuttleworth, 1852), D. engonatus (Shuttleworth, 1852), D. textilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), D. retextus, (Shuttleworth, 1852), D. putrescens (R.T. Lowe, 1861), D. ganodus (J. Mabille, 1882), D. gomerensis Rähle, 1994, and D. kompsus (J. Mabille, 1883). In contrast with the anatomical data known for the European and North American genera Discus and Anguispira Morse, 1864 (Uminski 1962; Pilsbry 1948), there has hitherto been no information published on the internal anatomy of the Canary Islands and Madeiran species, which are known only by their shell characters. In this paper we raise Atlantica to the rank of genus in the Discidae and describe shell and anatomical characters for two new species from La Gomera and Tenerife, respectively. They are grouped in a new subgenus of Atlantica, largely restricted to the laurisilva. This laurel-rich forest occurs in humid subtropical and warm-temperate regions with little variability in temperatures and is developed between 600 and 1,200 m above sea level in the Canary Islands (Yanes et al. 2009b: Fig. 2).

Generation of grain maps by an algebraic reconstruction technique

2003 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1062-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Poulsen ◽  
Xiaowei Fu
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Algebraic Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Mosaic Spread ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Non Destructive

A reconstruction method is presented for the generation of three-dimensional maps of the grain boundaries within powders or polycrystals. The grains are assumed to have a mosaic spread below 1°. They are mapped layer by layer in a non-destructive way by diffraction with hard X-rays. First the diffraction spots are sorted with respect to grain of origin by the indexing programGRAINDEX. Next for each grain the reconstruction is performed byART– an iterative algebraic algorithm. The method is optimized by simulations. It is verified by a 50 keV study on one embedded layer in an aluminium specimen. The layer comprises ∼50 grain sections of an average size of 100 µm. Based on the use of five reflections per grain, a resolution of ∼5 µm is inferred.

scholarly journals Micro-computed tomography for natural history specimens: a handbook of best practice protocols

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kleoniki Keklikoglou ◽  
Sarah Faulwetter ◽  
Eva Chatzinikolaou ◽  
Patricia Wils ◽  
Jonathan Brecko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Ct Imaging ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Ct Technology ◽  
Non Destructive

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT or microtomography) is a non-destructive imaging technique using X-rays which allows the digitisation of an object in three dimensions. The ability of micro-CT imaging to visualise both internal and external features of an object, without destroying the specimen, makes the technique ideal for the digitisation of valuable natural history collections. This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to laboratory micro-CT imaging of different types of natural history specimens, including zoological, botanical, palaeontological and geological samples. The basic principles of the micro-CT technology are presented, as well as protocols, tips and tricks and use cases for each type of natural history specimen. Finally, data management protocols and a comprehensive list of institutions with micro-CT facilities, micro-CT manufacturers and relative software are included.

scholarly journals Use of Micro-Computed Tomography for Dental Studies in Modern and Fossil Odontocetes: Potential Applications and Limitations

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Loch ◽  
Donald R Schwass ◽  
Jules A Kieser ◽  
R Ewan Fordyce
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Good Resolution ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulp Cavity ◽  
Diagenetic Alteration ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Non Destructive

Teeth are important elements in studies of modern and fossil Cetacea (whales, dolphins), providing information on feeding habits, estimations of age and phylogenetic relationships. The growth layer groups (GLGs) recorded in dentine have demonstrated application for aging studies, but also have the potential to elucidate life history phenomena such as metabolic or physiologic events. Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) is a non-invasive and non-destructive technique that allows 3-dimensional study of mineralized tissues, such as human teeth, and their physical properties. Teeth from extant dolphins (Cetacea: Odontoceti) and some fossil odontocetes were scanned in a Skyscan 1172 Micro-CT desktop system. X-rays were generated at 100 kV and 100 µA for extant samples, and at 80kV and 124 µA for fossils. 0.5 mm thick aluminum and copper filters were used in the beam. Reconstructed images were informative for most extant species, showing a good resolution of the enamel layer, dentine and pulp cavity. Greyscale changes in the dentinal layers were not resolved enough to show GLGs. Visualization of the internal structure in fossil cetacean teeth depended on the degree of diagenetic alteration in the specimen; undifferentiated enamel and dentine regions probably reflect secondary mineralization. However, internal details were finely resolved for one fossil specimen, showing the enamel, internal layers of dentine and the pulp cavity. Micro-CT has been proven to be a useful tool for resolving the internal morphology of fossil and extant teeth of cetaceans before they are sectioned for other morphological analyses; however some methodological refinements are still necessary to allow better resolution of dentine for potential application in non-destructive age determination studies. 

Micro-CT in cephalopod research: Investigating the internal anatomy of a sepiolid squid using a non-destructive technique with special focus on the ganglionic system

2013 ◽  
Vol 447 ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Kerbl ◽  
Stephan Handschuh ◽  
Marie-Therese Nödl ◽  
Brian Metscher ◽  
Manfred Walzl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Special Focus ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
Sepiolid Squid ◽  
Non Destructive

scholarly journals More than XRF Mapping: STEAM (Statistically Tailored Elemental Angle Mapper) a Pioneering Analysis Protocol for Pigment Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1446
Author(s):  
Jacopo Orsilli ◽  
Anna Galli ◽  
Letizia Bonizzoni ◽  
Michele Caccia
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Spectral Angle Mapper ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Fluorescence Radiation ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Analysis Protocol

Among the possible variants of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), applications exploiting scanning Macro-XRF (MA-XRF) are lately widespread as they allow the visualization of the element distribution maintaining a non-destructive approach. The surface is scanned with a focused or collimated X-ray beam of millimeters or less: analyzing the emitted fluorescence radiation, also elements present below the surface contribute to the elemental distribution image obtained, due to the penetrative nature of X-rays. The importance of this method in the investigation of historical paintings is so obvious—as the elemental distribution obtained can reveal hidden sub-surface layers, including changes made by the artist, or restorations, without any damage to the object—that recently specific international conferences have been held. The present paper summarizes the advantages and limitations of using MA-XRF considering it as an imaging technique, in synergy with other hyperspectral methods, or combining it with spot investigations. The most recent applications in the cultural Heritage field are taken into account, demonstrating how obtained 2D-XRF maps can be of great help in the diagnostic applied on Cultural Heritage materials. Moreover, a pioneering analysis protocol based on the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm is presented, unifying the MA-XRF standard approach with punctual XRF, exploiting information from the mapped area as a database to extend the comprehension to data outside the scanned region, and working independently from the acquisition set-up. Experimental application on some reference pigment layers and a painting by Giotto are presented as validation of the proposed method.

scholarly journals Using micro-computed tomography to reveal the anatomy of adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Insecta: Hemiptera, Liviidae) and how it pierces and feeds within a citrus leaf

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Alba-Tercedor ◽  
Wayne B. Hunter ◽  
Ignacio Alba-Alejandre
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Diaphorina Citri ◽  
Ct Reconstruction ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Citrus Leaf ◽  
Teaching Aids ◽  
Adult Feeding

AbstractThe Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is a harmful pest of citrus trees that transmits Candidatus Liberibacter spp. which causes Huanglongbing (HLB) (citrus greening disease); this is considered to be the most serious bacterial disease of citrus plants. Here we detail an anatomical study of the external and internal anatomy (excluding the reproductive system) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). This is the first complete 3D micro-CT reconstruction of the anatomy of a psylloid insect and includes a 3D reconstruction of an adult feeding on a citrus leaf that can be used on mobile devices. Detailed rendered images and videos support first descriptions of coxal and scapus antennal glands and sexual differences in the internal anatomy (hindgut rectum, mesothoracic ganglion and brain). This represents a significant advance in our knowledge of ACP anatomy, and of psyllids in general. Together the images, videos and 3D model constitute a unique anatomical atlas and are useful tools for future research and as teaching aids.

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