Micro-CT image gallery visually presenting the effects of ocean warming and acidification on marine gastropod shells

• Published in: Biodiversity Data Journal
• Main Authors: Chatzinikolaou, Eva, Keklikoglou, Kleoniki, Grigoriou, Panagiotis, Arvanitidis, Christos
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2021
• Subjects: micro-CT; 3D image galleries; gastropod; shell; Hexaplex trunculus; climate change; ocean acidification; ocean warming; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.9.e75358

Digitisation of specimens (e.g. zoological, botanical) can provide access to advanced morphological and anatomical information and promote new research opportunities. The micro-CT technology may support the development of "virtual museums" or "virtual laboratories" where digital 3D imaging data are shared widely and freely. There is currently a lack of universal standards concerning the publication and curation of micro-CT datasets. The aim of the current project was to create a virtual gallery with micro-CT scans of individuals of the marine gastropod Hexaplex trunculus , which were maintained under a combination of increased temperature and low pH conditions, thus simulating future climate change scenarios. The 3D volume-rendering models created were used to visualise the structure properties of the gastropods shells. Finally, the 3D analysis performed on the micro-CT scans was used to investigate potential changes in the shell properties of the gastropods. The derived micro-CT 3D images were annotated with detailed metadata and can be interactively displayed and manipulated using online tools through the micro-CT virtual laboratory, which was developed under the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure for the dissemination of virtual image galleries collection supporting the principles of FAIR data.