Data from: Micro-computed tomography: introducing new dimensions to taxonomy

Continuous improvements in the resolution of three-dimensional imaging have lead to an increased application of these techniques in conventional taxonomic research in recent years. Coupled with an ever increasing research effort in cybertaxonomy, three-dimensional imaging could give a boost to the development of virtual specimen collections, allowing rapid and simultaneous access to accurate virtual representations of type material. This paper explores the potential of micro-computed tomography, a non-destructive three-dimensional imaging technique based on X-ray energies, for supporting research in systematics and taxonomy. The subsequent use of these data as virtual type material, so-called “cybertypes”, and the creation of virtual collections lie at the core of this potential. Sample preparation, image acquisition, data processing and presentation of results are demonstrated using polychaetes (bristle worms), a representative taxon of macro-invertebrates, as a study object. Effects of the technique on the morphological, anatomical and molecular identity of the specimens are investigated. The paper evaluates the results and discusses the potential and the limitations of the technique for creating cybertypes. It also discusses the challenges that the community might face to establish virtual collections. Potential future applications of three-dimensional information in taxonomic research are outlined, including an outlook to new ways of producing, disseminating and publishing taxonomic information.

近年来，三维成像分辨率的持续提升推动这类技术在传统分类学研究中的应用愈发广泛。随着电子分类学（cybertaxonomy）研究投入的不断增加，三维成像技术有望助力虚拟标本馆藏的发展，使研究人员能够快速且同步获取模式标本的精准虚拟复现模型。本研究探讨了基于X射线能量的无损三维成像技术——显微计算机断层扫描（micro-computed tomography）在支持系统学与分类学研究方面的应用潜力，将此类数据用作所谓的电子模式标本（cybertypes）并构建虚拟馆藏，正是该技术潜力的核心所在。本研究以大型无脊椎动物的代表性类群——多毛纲动物（polychaetes，毛足虫）为研究对象，演示了样品制备、图像采集、数据处理及结果展示的完整流程，并探讨了该技术对标本形态学、解剖学及分子鉴定特征的影响。本文对研究结果进行了评估，讨论了该技术在制备电子模式标本（cybertypes）方面的应用潜力与局限性，同时梳理了学界在构建虚拟馆藏过程中可能面临的各类挑战，此外还概述了三维成像信息在分类学研究中潜在的未来应用方向，并展望了分类学信息的生产、传播与发布的全新模式。