IMAGES

BRUCHBASE aims to provide high quality three-dimensional images for important taxonomic characters for all described bruchine species. Currently included are images of the dorsal and lateral habitus, the metafemora, a frontal view of the head, pygidial patterning, and labels. High quality images of male and female genitalia will be added later. Specimens are imaged with a Leica Z16 APO microsystem. Digital photographs are taken through multiple focal plains and subsequently combined in a single high-resolution, fully-focused image using Syncroscopy's Auto-Montage software. Measurements are made using a calibrated stage micrometer.

Acanthoscelides daleae Johnson 1970

There are currently images for 275 species and more are being added on a daily basis. Their incorporation into the database structure means that a summary of images for a single species can be readily found and viewed, different species can be easily compared, the user can switch between different vantage points, and different specimens for a single species can be compared in order to assess standing levels of variation.