The pros and cons of using micro-computed tomography in gross and microanatomical assessments of polychaetous annelids

Paterson, G.L.J., Sykes, D., Faulwetter, S., Merks, R., Ahmed, F., Hawkins, L.E., Dinley, J., Ball, A.D. and Arvanitidis, C. 2014. The pros and cons of using micro-computed tomography in gross and micro-anatomical assessments of polychaetous annelids. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 71: 237–246. The use of micro-CT scanners in the study of anatomy and functional morphology of marine invertebrates is becoming more common. The advantages and disadvantages of this methodology for the study of the internal anatomy of polychaetes are discussed. Soft-bodied invertebrates such as polychaetes pose some specific problems. It can be difficult to gain sufficient contrast between different types of tissues to be able to image them with X-rays. A range of stains can help enhance the contrast between tissues. In this study we investigate a number of stains, concentrating on those considered reversible. The advantages of such stains in the study of museum specimens and the resulting possibilities for large-scale comparative morphology studies are outlined.

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