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Opportunities and challenges for digital morphology.

Authors :
Ziegler A
Ogurreck M
Steinke T
Beckmann F
Prohaska S
Ziegler A
Source :
Biology direct [Biol Direct] 2010 Jul 06; Vol. 5, pp. 45. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Jul 06.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Advances in digital data acquisition, analysis, and storage have revolutionized the work in many biological disciplines such as genomics, molecular phylogenetics, and structural biology, but have not yet found satisfactory acceptance in morphology. Improvements in non-invasive imaging and three-dimensional visualization techniques, however, permit high-throughput analyses also of whole biological specimens, including museum material. These developments pave the way towards a digital era in morphology. Using sea urchins (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), we provide examples illustrating the power of these techniques. However, remote visualization, the creation of a specialized database, and the implementation of standardized, world-wide accepted data deposition practices prior to publication are essential to cope with the foreseeable exponential increase in digital morphological data.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1745-6150
Volume :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Biology direct
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20604956
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6150-5-45