Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
07:16
Comparison of Methods for Isolating Entomopathogenic Fungi from Soil Samples
Published on: January 6, 2022
4.4K
Innovative infrastructure to access Brazilian fungal diversity using deep learning
Thiago Chaves1, Joicymara Santos Xavier2, Alfeu Gonçalves Dos Santos1
1Brazilian National Institute for Digital Convergence-INCoD, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Peerj
|July 15, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a new database of Brazilian macrofungi to train convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automated species identification, enabling a mobile app for public use and fungal conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Computer Science
- Biodiversity Informatics
Background:
- Accurate identification of macrofungal species is crucial for ecological studies and conservation.
- Existing methods for macrofungal identification can be time-consuming and require expert knowledge.
- There is a need for accessible tools to aid in the identification and documentation of Brazilian fungi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive, expert-curated database of Brazilian macrofungi with extensive photographic data.
- To train and validate convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automated macrofungal species identification.
- To create a user-friendly mobile application for image-based macrofungal identification, promoting public engagement and data collection.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of a meticulously structured database of macrofungi from Brazil, including over 13,894 photographs of 505 species.
- Training and validation of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using the curated image database for autonomous species recognition.
- Development of a mobile application with an advanced user interface for image acquisition and AI-driven identification suggestions.
Main Results:
- Successful creation of a large-scale, expert-verified database of Brazilian macrofungi.
- Demonstrated capability of trained CNNs to autonomously identify macrofungal species from images.
- Development of a functional mobile application prototype for public use.
Conclusions:
- The developed database and CNN models provide a powerful tool for macrofungal identification in Brazil.
- The mobile application democratizes access to knowledge about Brazilian fungi, fostering public engagement and citizen science.
- This technology supports enhanced biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts for Brazilian macrofungi.
More Related Videos
11:48Microscopy Techniques for Interpreting Fungal Colonization in Mycoheterotrophic Plants Tissues and Symbiotic Germination of Seeds
Published on: May 17, 2022
3.9K
07:00Microbiota of Attine Ants' Gardens: Visualizing a Microbial Landscape by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: October 4, 2024
574
Related Concept Videos
01:29Modern Molecular Taxonomy
836
Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
836
01:20Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
705
Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
705
01:18Other Unique Bacteria
576
Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
576
01:19Methods to Assess Microbial Communities
60
Microbial communities, comprising bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic microorganisms, inhabit diverse ecosystems and play crucial roles in environmental and biological processes. Their diversity is defined by three main parameters: species richness (the number of distinct species), species abundance (the relative quantity of each species), and species evenness (how uniformly individual species are distributed in various locations). These factors together shape the structure and ecological balance...
60
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics
77
Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
77