Imaging

Reference collections are the ideal tool for comparing collected specimens with vouchers that are correctly identified by specialists. However, reference collections are not available to everyone and access can be limited because of fragility of the actual specimens. Thanks to high resolution imagery, together with digital techniques such as photostacking, it is possible to build a virtual collection accessible through the internet.

The RMCA has, within the framework of the different DIGIT programmes funded by the Belgian federal government, embarked upon imaging of representative specimens of the African frugivorous fruit flies in our collection. This includes type material but also non type specimens that show all major morphological characters required to allow a proper and unambiguous recognition. Because of the fact that the images are all of high resolution one can zoom in on them to see all minute features.

The gallery of available images can be consulted here.

Credits:
The images are largely taken by Jonathan Brecko within the framework of the DIGIT program, and by Annelies Kayenbergh within the framework of the FF-IPM and TEPHRISURV projects.