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Micro-CT imaging in species description: exploring beyond sclerotized structures in lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini) Project ID: 000488431 Public
7 Media · 2 Specimens · Creator: Simeão Moraes · Managed by: Simeão Moraes

X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging (micro-CT) is valuable for systematic research since it permits the non-destructive scanning and imaging of internal structures of very rare species and/or type specimens. Additionally, micro-CT allows to view the morphology and the functional anatomy of structures in their natural anatomical position, without deformations that typically occur using classical dissection protocols. In this study we provide the description of two new species of lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lithosiini) from the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil: Nodozana heliae Moraes sp. nov. from Rio de Janeiro state and Epeiromulona pataxo Moraes & Aguiar sp. nov. from Bahia state. The male and female genitalia as well as the wing morphology were examined by means of non-destructive micro-CT, subsequent 3D model reconstruction, 360 degree spinning animations, 2D images from different angles, and those were compared against classical genitalia dissections from the same specimens. We conclude that techniques complement each other, micro-CT being particularly useful to study wing venation, sclerotized internal structures and muscles, while classical dissection is useful to study membranous structures, particularly in the female genitalia, abdominal skin and specialised scales on the male 8th sternite.

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  ID Part Object Taxonomy Type Date Added Publication Status  
000529976 Male genitalia zuec:LEPSM1382 Nodozana heliae CT Image Series 2023-06-09 Open Download  
000529972 Wing venation zuec:LEPSM1382 Nodozana heliae CT Image Series 2023-06-09 Open Download  
000529968 Female genitalia zuec:LEPSM1439 Nodozana heliae CT Image Series 2023-06-09 Open Download  
000488448 Female Genitalia zuec:LEPSM1439 Nodozana heliae Video 2022-12-13 Open Download  
000488442 Female Genitalia zuec:LEPSM1439 Nodozana heliae Video 2022-12-13 Open Download  
000488436 Male genitalia zuec:LEPSM1382 Nodozana heliae Video 2022-12-13 Open Download  
000488429 Wing venation zuec:LEPSM1382 Nodozana heliae Video 2022-12-13 Open Download  
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