New method for automatic body length measurement of the collembolan, Folsomia candida Willem 1902 (Insecta: Collembola).

ABSTRACT: The collembolan, Folsomia candida, is widely used in soil ecotoxicology. In recent years, growth rate of collembolans has become as frequently used endpoint as reproduction rate in ecotoxicological studies. However, measuring collembolan body sizes to estimate growth rate is a complicated and time-consuming task. Here we present a new image analysis method, which facilitates and accelerates the body length measurement of the collembolan Folsomia candida. The new software package, called CollScope, consists of three elements: 1) an imaging device; 2) photographing software; 3) an ImageJ macro for image processing, measurement and data analysis. We give a complete description of the operation of the software, the image analyzing process and describe its accuracy and reliability. The software

SUBMITTER: Banszegi O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4046991 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature