Antscan is a new platform dedicated to advanced study of ant morphology. Yet despite that shortcoming, it has achieved enormous success over the years in advancing the field of biodiversity science. Evan Economo, a biodiversity scientist at the University of Maryland, and Julian Katzke, an entomologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., created Antscan. This free, online tool allows users to create micrometer-resolution reconstructions of real ants, which any scientist or citizen scientist can use to peer into the working inner structures of these fascinating insects.
This dynamic, cutting-edge platform uses synchrotron micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to produce 3D digital models of the internal anatomy of ants. The dataset includes CT scans of 2,200 preserved ant specimens from 792 species across 212 genera. You can find this goldmine of information very easily through an interactive online portal. This interactive platform allows you to rotate, zoom and virtually cut apart insects through the magic of 3D imaging—all from your laptop.
Advanced Imaging Technology
Antscan’s innovative application of the synchrotron micro-CT technology is a big leap in ant research. By harnessing the power of a particle accelerator, the researchers generate extraordinarily bright and coherent X-rays that enable the capture of high-resolution internal anatomy. The 3D scanning process takes place at the KIT’s synchrotron light source facility, located in Germany’s largest zoo and botanical garden.
This advanced imaging technology provides unprecedented clarity, showing ant exoskeletons in stunning detail. It further emphasizes their muscles, brains, nervous systems, digestive systems, and needle-like stinging cells. Using this high level of detail, Antscan’s work establishes a permanent record that functions as an anatomical time capsule. As fragile specimens degrade over time or wild populations dwindle, this dataset ensures that vital biological information remains intact for future study.
“It is an extremely rich dataset that can be used for a number of different applications in science, but also for the arts and outreach and education.” – Julian Katzke
For Katzke, the dataset’s versatility means that it can be used outside the confines of scientific research. It has great promise for artistic pursuits, STEAM educational outreach, and even private sector applications.
Impact on Research and Education
The implications of Antscan go well beyond just generating more detailed anatomical insights. The large dataset allows researchers to look for these patterns across the entire ant family tree. Mapping and understanding novel evolutionary processes could open new avenues for groundbreaking research at the evolutionary biology–ecology interface. Economo explained this breakthrough as “sort of like having a genome for shape.” He touted its ability to be truly transformative with respect to how we understand biodiversity.
For example, researchers can use Antscan to explore a trait of interest’s distributions across various ant species and study different anatomical features. One notable study focused on the distribution of a biomineral “armor” layer first described in a Central American leaf-cutter ant in 2020. By comparing the internal structures with scans of their modern flying counterparts, researchers can pinpoint what evolutionary adaptations and ecological roles these structures served.
“The full advantage of this dataset will be realized when these methods are deployed.” – Marek Borowiec
Marek Borowiec emphasized the need to use this dataset well so we can all start to explore its potential for scientific discovery. The open access format of Antscan will encourage collaborative research efforts from scientists all over the world, inspiring innovative research and discovery.
Future Applications and Innovations
The Antscan project is a great step forward for insect morphology research. Just like large-scale sequencing projects have transformed the pace and scale of genetic research over the past two decades, this is a game changer. With the breadth of the platform’s dataset, researchers from various domains are encouraged to discover what the kit can do for robotics, engineering, and more.
Economo expressed his vision for the future: “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.” The opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration is tremendous, as architects, engineers, and businesspeople alike can benefit by looking to nature’s designs for inspiration.
“It is an impressive piece of work.” – Vladimir Blagoderov
Vladimir Blagoderov from Smithsonian Institution, Washington praised the Antscan project as an exemplary project for outstanding achievements to entomology and biodiversity research. As more researchers join the platform, the value added will further compound.
David Blackburn emphasized the importance of accessibility to museum collections: “The more people that access and work with the stuff in our museums, whether it’s physically or digitally, the greater value they add.” This feeling is a natural fit with Antscan’s purpose of democratizing scientific knowledge and building a curious world.