---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Data Acquisition
From:    "Matt Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date:    Fri, January 11, 2008 2:05 pm
To:      [email protected]
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Hi all,


While there is a wealth of information out there about morphometrics, I'm
having a difficult time at the most basic level - trying to decide what
are the most appropriate methods for my questions.  I am starting from
square one and I don't have anyone to ask these most basic questions to,
nor can I seem to find answers in the literature.  Please forgive the
simple questions, but I would be most grateful for any advice.


I am interested in studying the influences of morphology on the behavior
(reproductive competition and swimming performance) of horseshoe crabs. 
Initially I took simple measurements by hand, but have realized that the
variation in size and shape is much more complex than I had realized. 
Thus, I am trying to decide if photographing the animals and using image
analysis is appropriate, or if I should be using a 3D digitizer (like
microscribe).


What are the limits of image analysis?  There aren't that many flat parts
of a horseshoe crab, would this approach even work?


Give that they are expensive (and I'm a grad student with $0 in funding),
under what circumstances would one benefit from using a 3D digitizer?


Thank you in advance for any help!


-Matt



      
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Hi all,

While there is a wealth of information out there about morphometrics, I'm having a difficult time at the most basic level - trying to decide what are the most appropriate methods for my questions.  I am starting from square one and I don't have anyone to ask these most basic questions to, nor can I seem to find answers in the literature.  Please forgive the simple questions, but I would be most grateful for any advice.

I am interested in studying the influences of morphology on the behavior (reproductive competition and swimming performance) of horseshoe crabs.  Initially I took simple measurements by hand, but have realized that the variation in size and shape is much more complex than I had realized.  Thus, I am trying to decide if photographing the animals and using image analysis is appropriate, or if I should be using a 3D digitizer (like microscribe).  

What are the limits of image analysis?  There aren't that many flat parts of a horseshoe crab, would this approach even work?

Give that they are expensive (and I'm a grad student with $0 in funding), under what circumstances would one benefit from using a 3D digitizer?

Thank you in advance for any help!

-Matt


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