Fluid Collection Imaging

Statement of Purpose

This page is for information and workflows about imaging fluid collections

Contributors

Andrew D. Williston; Emily Braker

Fluid Collections 2D Imaging

Spirit specimens face some unique imaging challenges because of their wet storage. Use and further development of these best practices is intended to improve quality and efficiency of spirit collection digital imaging.

Workflows and Guides

Explicit workflows are helpful, particularly for new imaging technicians who might not understand best practices working with spirit stored collections and/or little experience with imaging. Workflows are intended to help all technicians work with quality, efficiency, and with best practices for specimen handling. [[iDigBio DROID3 working group (Developing_Robust Object to Image to Data)[2] has developed detailed workflows that can be used to help start or improve an existing wet specimen digital imaging project. Initial task list modules have been developed by this group [3] and are currently being revised. Additional guides to image capture and editing of fish specimens are available [4],[5],[6] It should be noted that equipment suggestions change rapidly.

Immersion tanks

Wet specimens are best photographed when immersed in fluid. This serves a dual purpose preventing specimen drying as well as reducing glare on the specimen’s surface that might obscure surface detail. Both horizontal and vertical immersion tanks are used to hold wet specimens for imaging[8].

• Vertical tank - Vertical tanks resemble typical aquarium tanks but are generally narrow and tall. A plate of glass within the tank is used to gently press and sandwich the specimen against the front glass pane of the aquarium. Vertical tanks require camera mount in front of the tank, such as a tripod. Benefits of vertical tanks are cleaner backgrounds, setup mobility, and lighting flexibility. They are well suited for both in-collection and field use.
• Horizontal tank - Horizontal tanks can be useful for specimens that need extensive and delicate manipulations and posing, like uncurling or pinning. Sheet glass is sometimes place on curled fish specimens to hold them posed. Horizontal tanks are usually used in combination with a copy stand. An example can be found on the MCZ Ichthyology website[9].

Links

Websites:

• Tips on Digitally Imaging Fishes (Mark Sabaj 2015): http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/digital_imaging_tips.html
• Guidelines & Suggestions for Image Capture of Catfishes (Mark Sabaj 2015): http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/digital_imaging.html
• Fish Imaging project: https://mcz.harvard.edu/ichthyology-research-collection

Papers:

• Methods section of: Sabaj Pérez, Mark. (2009). Photographic Atlas of Fishes of the Guiana Shield. Bulletin of The Biological Society of Washington. 17. 52-59. DOI: 10.2988/0097-0298-17.1.52

Presentations:

• A Snake in the Glass: Wet tank setup and focus stack imaging method for reptile and amphibian specimens (Emily Braker, SPNHC Annual Meeting, Edingburgh 2022)
• Imaging Systems: Light Box vs. Copy Stand vs. Squeeze Tank (Zach Randall, University of Florida Museum of Natural History, iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 2016)
• Strategies for Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Cornell University, May 2015 [Wet Specimen Imaging Lab and Field] (Andy Bently, Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, iDigBio Strategies for Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Cornell University, May 2015)
• The Value of Imaging Ichthyology Specimens (John P. Sullivan, Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates) iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 2016)
• Standardizing Snake Specimen Photography: A Budget-Conscious Approach (Hinrich Kaiser (Victor Valley College & USNM, iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 2016)
• Specimen processing and photography in Division of Invertebrate Zoology (John Slapcinsky, University of Florida Museum of Natural History, iDigBio Photography Workshop)
• DIY Techniques: How to use tools and materials to achieve better results in photographing wet arthropod collections (Mark F. O’Brien University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, iDigBio Fluid-preserved arthropod imaging and Microscopic Slide Workshop University of Michigan, September 2013)
• Hand Sanitizer MacroPhotography (Sam Droege, US ARMY Public Health Unit, iDigBio Fluid-preserved arthropod imaging and Microscopic Slide Workshop University of Michigan, September 2013)
• Imaging alcohol-preserved Arachnids using a Visionary Digital System (Marshal Hedin, San Diego State University, iDigBio Fluid-preserved arthropod imaging and Microscopic Slide Workshop University of Michigan, September 2013)
• Fluid preserved Invertebrate Imaging (Vic Smith, California Academy of Sciences, iDigBio Fluid-preserved arthropod imaging and Microscopic Slide Workshop University of Michigan, September 2013)
• Wet Specimen Imaging at CAS Going with the flow into the 21st Century (Vic Smith, California Academy of Sciences, iDigBio Fluid-preserved arthropod imaging and Microscopic Slide Workshop University of Michigan, September 2013)