Micro-computed tomography scan and virtual histological slide data for the land planarian Obama otavioi (Platyhelminthes).
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: We investigated whether images obtained through X-ray micro-computed tomography (?CT) can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for morphological studies of soft-bodied land planarians. ?CT is non-invasive and provides true-to-scale three-dimensional imagery at high resolution. We compared ?CT-based images of a recently described land planarian species of Obama otavioi (Platyhelminthes) with those obtained from light microphotography of histological sections, most of which were also digitized at high magnification.The specimens studied were collected in 2012. Subsequent ?CT-based images of the stained body of a paratype show nearly all morphological features provided by traditional histology, with the exception of particularly minute structures, smaller than 5 ?m, such as the sensory pits and single muscle fibers, which are best visible on traditional histological sections. Because the technique is non-destructive, the scanned specimen is preserved without damage. The raw and derivative ?CT data and virtual histological sections are freely available in GigaDB.The ?CT datasets of these stained soft-bodied organisms reveal images of external and internal structures that support previous taxonomic studies. This technique can be particularly important for non-destructively revealing internal details of whole museum specimens at a faster rate than histology alone. High-resolution virtual histological slides also allow further searches for new, previously unstudied morphological features. The use of X-ray equipment with higher resolution can enable smaller sensory organ and muscle fiber details to be seen. The image sets, ?CT-based images and digitized histological slides can be disseminated without the constraints of specimen loans.
SUBMITTER: Carbayo F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4793757 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
ACCESS DATA