Rotational Scanning Electron Micrographs (rSEM): A novel and accessible tool to visualize and communicate complex...

Area of Science:

• Morphology
• Digital Taxonomy
• Microscopy

Background:

• Complex morphological structures require advanced visualization techniques.
• Current methods for studying and communicating micro-anatomy can be limiting.
• Digital tools are increasingly important in biological sciences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an accessible workflow for generating interactive rotational scanning electron micrographs (rSEM).
• To demonstrate the utility of rSEMs for visualizing and communicating complex anatomical features, specifically male arthropod genitalia.
• To outline methods for publishing rSEMs online and in academic journals.

Main Methods:

• Development of a workflow for creating interactive rSEMs.
• Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to capture image components.
• Archiving image data in MorphBank for long-term accessibility.
• Publishing rSEMs as SWF files for web and journal integration.

Main Results:

• An accessible workflow for producing rSEMs has been established.
• rSEMs effectively visualize intricate details of male arthropod genitalia.
• Methods for integrating rSEMs into digital publications are detailed.

Conclusions:

• rSEM is a valuable new tool for digital taxonomy.
• Interactive animations significantly improve the study and communication of complex morphology.
• Archiving data ensures the longevity and accessibility of research findings.