X-ray computed tomography and its potential in ecological research: A review of studies and optimization of specimen preparation

Ecology and Evolution
Yeisson GutiérrezChristoph Scherber

Abstract

Imaging techniques are a cornerstone of contemporary biology. Over the last decades, advances in microscale imaging techniques have allowed fascinating new insights into cell and tissue morphology and internal anatomy of organisms across kingdoms. However, most studies so far provided snapshots of given reference taxa, describing organs and tissues under "idealized" conditions. Surprisingly, there is an almost complete lack of studies investigating how an organism's internal morphology changes in response to environmental drivers. Consequently, ecology as a scientific discipline has so far almost neglected the possibilities arising from modern microscale imaging techniques. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments of X-ray computed tomography as an affordable, simple method of high spatial resolution, allowing insights into three-dimensional anatomy both in vivo and ex vivo. We review ecological studies using this technique to investigate the three-dimensional internal structure of organisms. In addition, we provide practical comparisons between different preparation techniques for maximum contrast and tissue differentiation. In particular, we consider the novel modality of phase contrast by self-interference of the ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 3, 2019·Artificial Life·Nicholas GuttenbergAlexandra Penn
Feb 2, 2021·Evolutionary Applications·Allison J ShultzJann E Vendetti

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
nuclear magnetic resonance
imaging techniques
X‐ray
imaging
electron
fluorescence microscopy

Software Mentioned

ISI Web of Science
AVGStudio
ImageJ
ASTRA
Avizo
Seg3D
ISI
SPIERS
3D Slicer
MATLAB

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