An innovative platform, Antscan, has opened up a new window to micrometer resolution, 3D reconstructions of ants that had not previously been possible. A talented, international team of citizen scientists–most guided by two key researchers, Evan Economo and Julian Katzke–created Antscan. This platform includes a global dataset of 178,903 high-resolution images representing each of the 792 valid ant species within 212 genera. This creative new online portal empowers users to discover insects through an immersive, interactive experience. Now, they can rotate, zoom and even virtually dissect the specimens all from their laptops.
Antscan was built through a very labor-intensive scanning process. Researchers deployed micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) beamlines to nondestructively scan 2,200 preserved ant specimens at the synchrotron light source facility at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. This cutting-edge technology produces high-resolution, 3D images of internal anatomy in just seconds. It produces a huge dataset that is more than 200 terabytes. This practice is more than a watchful eye. Thus, Antscan’s active mission is to produce an enduring database of ant anatomy to which we can always return, even as physical specimens decay or species go extinct.
The Technology Behind Antscan
Using cutting-edge synchrotron micro-CT technology, Antscan lets you see every facet of highly detailed insect anatomy down to the micron level. This technology creates an extremely rich dataset, packed with thousands of 3D volumes. Science professionals and budding myrmecologists alike will experience an epic adventure in ant science!
Neural networks have become a critical component in automating topic and object identification, analysis, and segmentation within the Antscan dataset. This AI-powered method increases speed and precision in data identification. Additionally, researchers have unprecedented access to valuable data including descriptions of ant morphology.
“The full advantage of this dataset will be realized when these methods are deployed.” – Marek Borowiec
The development of modern digital exploration technology allows us new insight into ant anatomy. Yet, they undoubtedly hold transformative potential for several industries, including transportation. As Evan Economo points out, “This is kind of like having a genome for shape,” showcasing the innovative nature of Antscan in providing a new dimension to the study of biological forms.
Applications and Implications
The impact of Antscan goes beyond traditional academic research. It proves an invaluable asset for art, outreach, and education. Julian Katzke emphasizes the richness of the dataset: “It is an extremely rich dataset that can be used for a number of different applications in science, but for the arts and outreach and education.” For this complex nature, Antscan is seen as a core-enabler tool for various disciplines.
Perhaps the coolest thing Antscan can do is analyze the development of biomineral “armor” biometric layers in ants. Armor guards that have evolved alongside fungus-farming ants. You won’t find it in other branches of the ant family. Through the study of these structures researchers can learn about evolutionary adaptations and ecological roles in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Additionally, Antscan’s powerful database has wider impacts for digitizing biodiversity. This effort can be a model for ongoing work. On a broader scale, it strives to document and conserve the world’s biological diversity. Together, these developments can set off an exhilarating renaissance in morphology research. It would be akin to the paradigm shift sparked by large-scale genomics sequencing initiatives.
“I would really like to see these big libraries of organismal form one day be useful for people in robotics and engineering, so they can mine these data for new kinds of biomechanical designs.” – Evan Economo
A Permanent Record for Future Generations
One of the most significant contributions of Antscan lies in its ability to create a permanent, high-resolution record of ant anatomy. This quality is important since delicate specimens can suffer degradation, resulting in loss of unique biological information. Antscan provides an interactive portal that saves this data for eternity. Only then can we ensure that future generations can conveniently access and analyze these complex nuances.
David Blackburn notes the importance of increasing access to specimens. “The more people that access and work with the stuff in our museums, whether it’s physically or digitally, the greater value they add.” As more scientists study and discover biodiversity, tools like Antscan are becoming vital resources in their toolkits.
Our project together demonstrates an exciting technological jump for multi-energy CT scanning. It uses robotics, standardized sampling, automated image-processing pipelines, and new machine learning techniques to improve both efficiency and accuracy. Vladimir Blagoderov, who helped develop this advanced approach to CT scanning, points out its future research possibilities.