MicroCT scans of freshly fixed and museum earthworm specimens.

Dataset type: Imaging
Data released on May 02, 2014

Lenihan J; Kvist S; Fernández R; Giribet G; Ziegler A (2014): MicroCT scans of freshly fixed and museum earthworm specimens. GigaScience Database. http://dx.doi.org/10.5524/100092

DOI10.5524/100092


Micro-computed tomography (µCT), a digital X-ray-based imaging technique, has developed into an important tool for the study of animal morphology. Although molecular tools are increasingly employed to decipher invertebrate systematics, earthworm (Annelida: Clitellata: 'Oligochaeta') taxonomy is still largely based on conventional dissection, resulting in data that are mostly unsuitable for dissemination through online databases. In order to evaluate if µCT in combination with soft tissue staining techniques could be used to expand the existing set of tools available for studying internal and external structures of earthworms, µCT scans of freshly fixed and museum specimens were collected.
Scout images revealed full penetration of tissues by the staining agent. The attained isotropic voxel resolutions permit identification of internal and external structures conventionally used in earthworm taxonomy. The projection as well as the reconstruction images are archived here and are publicly available for download.
The dataset presented shows that earthworms constitute suitable candidates for μCT scanning in combination with soft tissue staining. Not only are the data comparable to results derived from traditional dissection techniques, but they also permit interactively exploring earthworm morphology and anatomy. The approach pursued here can be applied to freshly fixed as well as museum specimens, which is of particular importance when considering the use of rare or valuable museum material.





Sample IDTaxonomic IDCommon NameGenbank NameScientific NameSample Attributes
MCZ_24804408844segmented wormsAporrectodea trapezoidesAporrectodea trapezoides Collected by:Rosa Fernández Garcia
Collection date:2013-Jan-03
Geographic location (country and/or sea,region):Sp...
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MCZ_24805302032segmented wormsAporrectodea caliginosaAporrectodea caliginosa Collected by:Rosa Fernández Garcia
Collection date:2013-Oct-03
Geographic location (country and/or sea,region):Un...
...
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MCZ_95557302032segmented wormsAporrectodea caliginosaAporrectodea caliginosa Collected by:Juan Arturo Rivero
Collection date:1967-Dec-02
Geographic location (country and/or sea,region):Ve...
...
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MCZ_95901408844segmented wormsAporrectodea trapezoidesAporrectodea trapezoides Collected by:not available
Collection date:1945-Dec-14
Geographic location (country and/or sea,region):no...
...
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Displaying 1-4 of 4 Sample(s).




File NameSample IDData TypeFile FormatSizeRelease Date 
MCZ_24805MicroCTTAR8.03 GB2014-05-02
MCZ_24805MicroCTTAR367.47 MB2014-05-02
MCZ_95557MicroCTTAR7.67 GB2014-05-02
MCZ_95557MicroCTTAR211.45 MB2014-05-02
MCZ_24804MicroCTTAR7.19 GB2014-05-02
MCZ_24804MicroCTTAR658.36 MB2014-05-02
MCZ_95901MicroCTTAR8.37 GB2014-05-02
MCZ_95901MicroCTTAR596.91 MB2014-05-02
MD5sumTEXT0.31 KB2014-05-02
ReadmeTEXT0.61 KB2014-05-02
Displaying 1-10 of 10 File(s).
Date Action