Laboratory phase-contrast nanotomography of unstained Bombus terrestris compound eyes
Open access
Date
2021-07Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
Imaging the visual systems of bumblebees and other pollinating insects may increase understanding of their dependence on specific habitats and how they will be affected by climate change. Current high-resolution imaging methods are either limited to two dimensions (light- and electron microscopy) or have limited access (synchrotron radiation x-ray tomography). For x-ray imaging, heavy metal stains are often used to increase contrast. Here, we present micron-resolution imaging of compound eyes of buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) using a table-top x-ray nanotomography (nano-CT) system. By propagation-based phase-contrast imaging, the use of stains was avoided and the microanatomy could more accurately be reconstructed than in samples stained with phosphotungstic acid or osmium tetroxide. The findings in the nano-CT images of the compound eye were confirmed by comparisons with light- and transmission electron microscopy of the same sample and finally, comparisons to synchrotron radiation tomography as well as to a commercial micro-CT system were done. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000490242Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of MicroscopyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
WileySubject
Bumblebee; Compound eyes; Llaboratory nano-CT; Phase contrast; System comparisonMore
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