Koiora — BioAssist™ Laboratory
Leading invertebrate biodiversity assessment and digital taxonomy into the future.
Koiora — BioAssist™ integrates our biosystematics and ecological
expertise with start-of-the-art digital technologies to provide cost
effective, accurate research and consultancy services supporting
- biodiversity surveys
- conservation and land restoration
- environmental monitoring and reporting
- biosecurity identifications and rapid diagnostics
- museum collections and bar-code cataloguing
- digital images for publication and distance diagnostics
- digital images for taxonomic and diagnostic training.
Networked processing of samples & identifications
The laboratory’s
sample processing area has several workstations that are provided with
a stereo-microscope, cold light source, and a
barcode scanner. These workstations are networked to a database server
running Biota4D.
Several people can sort samples and enter data at the same time enabling identifications to be cross-referenced simultaneously against rigorously defined recognisable taxonomic units (RTUs). The RTUs are checked by Landcare Research systematists who use high-quality images or reference specimens to verify the identifications. Reference material is vouchered in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection (NZAC) for future reference.
Digital imaging
The digital imaging system consists of research-grade
stereo and compound microscopes, high resolution video and still cameras,
a graphics quality
pc, Auto-Montage and Leica IM software for increased depth of field
and multi-shot stitching, an optional ‘z-stepper’ to automate
imaging, and a colour printer. The system produces perfectly focused
3D images.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/services/biosystematics/bioassist/
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