TY - JOUR
T1 - Autofluorescence imaging, an excellent tool for comparative morphology
AU - Haug, Joachim T.
AU - Haug, Carolin
AU - Kutschera, Verena
AU - Mayer, Gerd
AU - Maas, Andreas
AU - Liebau, Stefan
AU - Castellani, Christopher
AU - Wolfram, Uwe
AU - Clarkson, Euan N. K.
AU - Waloszek, Dieter
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - Here we present a set of methods for documenting (exo-)morphology by applying autofluorescence imaging. For arthropods, but also for other taxa, autofluorescence imaging combined with composite imaging is a fast documentation method with high-resolution capacities. Compared to conventional micro- and macrophotography, the illumination is much more homogenous, and structures are often better contrasted. Applying different wavelengths to the same object can additionally be used to enhance distinct structures. Autofluorescence imaging can be applied to dried and embedded specimens, but also directly on specimens within their storage liquid. This has an enormous potential for the documentation of rare specimens and especially type specimens without the need of preparation. Also for various fossils, autofluorescence can be used to enhance the contrast between the fossil and the matrix significantly, making even smallest details visible. 'Life-colour' fluorescence especially is identified as a technique with great potential. It provides additional information for which otherwise more complex methods would have to be applied. The complete range of differences and variations between fluorescence macrophotography and different types of fluorescence microscopy techniques are here explored and evaluated in detail. Also future improvements are suggested. In summary, autofluorescence imaging is a powerful, easy and fast-to-apply tool for morphological studies.
AB - Here we present a set of methods for documenting (exo-)morphology by applying autofluorescence imaging. For arthropods, but also for other taxa, autofluorescence imaging combined with composite imaging is a fast documentation method with high-resolution capacities. Compared to conventional micro- and macrophotography, the illumination is much more homogenous, and structures are often better contrasted. Applying different wavelengths to the same object can additionally be used to enhance distinct structures. Autofluorescence imaging can be applied to dried and embedded specimens, but also directly on specimens within their storage liquid. This has an enormous potential for the documentation of rare specimens and especially type specimens without the need of preparation. Also for various fossils, autofluorescence can be used to enhance the contrast between the fossil and the matrix significantly, making even smallest details visible. 'Life-colour' fluorescence especially is identified as a technique with great potential. It provides additional information for which otherwise more complex methods would have to be applied. The complete range of differences and variations between fluorescence macrophotography and different types of fluorescence microscopy techniques are here explored and evaluated in detail. Also future improvements are suggested. In summary, autofluorescence imaging is a powerful, easy and fast-to-apply tool for morphological studies.
KW - Autofluorescence imaging
KW - Autofluorescence microscopy
KW - Composite imaging
KW - Fluorescence macrophotography
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=81255135773&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2011.03534.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2011.03534.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21883208
AN - SCOPUS:81255135773
SN - 0022-2720
VL - 244
SP - 259
EP - 272
JO - Journal of Microscopy
JF - Journal of Microscopy
IS - 3
ER -