Digitization PEN: oMeso: Opening Mesoamerican Herpetofaunal Diversity to Whole Phenome Imaging

OMeso项目是现有网络(PEN)奖的合作伙伴，该奖项授予科罗拉多大学自然历史博物馆加入开放脊椎动物(OPET)主题内容网络(TCN)。OMeso通过使用2D和3D标本成像技术扩展到公开目标，以促进对中美洲爬行动物和两栖动物结构和功能多样性的探索。中美洲独特的生态和地质条件促进了适应不同栖息地和生活模式的多种物种的快速进化。内部解剖的计算机断层扫描(CT)与外部特征的高分辨率照片相结合，将提供免费的图像数据集，为世界上最多样化的地区之一创建新的资源。增加对oMeso生成的数字优惠券的访问将使研究能够跨越多个学科，从进化生物学和生态学到生物力学和保护科学。该项目为大学生提供了馆藏、数据传播和尖端博物馆技术方面的包容性培训机会。除了其研究价值，oMeso PEN还旨在通过为期一年的展览，结合社区讲座、K-12编程和包含项目产品的开放获取课程计划，提高围绕中美洲爬行动物多样性的科学素养和公众参与。oMeso将通过增加160属1100个物种来扩大公开TCN的分类范围，此外还填补了与爬行动物和两栖媒体有关的数字生物多样性景观中的表型数据空白。这些数据将广泛支持对与进化、适应、趋同以及比较和功能形态有关的模式和过程的分析。广泛的区域抽样将推动沿各种环境梯度进行生态地貌调查，以特有物种为目标将发现稀有或神秘的表型，例如那些属于狭隘分布的微生境专家的表型，濒危、受威胁和灭绝的物种，以及遍布中美洲的微型分类群。OMeso将利用现有的公开TCN工作流程和数字基础设施来优化效率和标准化产品。大约10%的标本将准备进行对比度增强，以在扫描中呈现软组织结构。由此产生的原始CT断层图像、3D表面模型和照片堆叠图像将通过MorPhoSource和Arctos公开传播，并与iDigBio集成，将项目媒体链接到相应的源标本记录和扩展数据产品(例如，基因序列、出版物、共生体)。OMeso将汇集来自科罗拉多大学、加州大学伯克利分校和佛罗里达大学的合作者，以及来自七个博物馆机构的标本贡献，以开发这个全面的、全球可访问的整体现象资源。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The oMeso project is a Partner to an Existing Network (PEN) award to the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History to join the openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Content Network (TCN). oMeso expands upon oVert objectives by using 2D and 3D specimen imaging technologies to facilitate exploration of structural and functional diversity in Mesoamerican reptiles and amphibians. The unique ecology and geology of Mesoamerica has fostered the rapid evolution of multiple species adapted for a variety of habitats and life modes. Computed tomography (CT) scans of internal anatomy paired with high resolution photos of external traits will provide complimentary image datasets to create a novel resource for one of the world’s most hyperdiverse regions. Increased access to digital vouchers generated by oMeso will enable research spanning multiple disciplines, from evolutionary biology and ecology to biomechanics and conservation science. The project provides inclusive training opportunities for university students in curation, data dissemination, and cutting-edge museum technologies. Beyond its research value, the oMeso PEN aims to increase scientific literacy and public engagement around Mesoamerican herpetofaunal diversity through a year-long exhibit accompanied by a community lecture, K-12 programming, and open access lesson plans that incorporate project products.oMeso will increase the taxonomic scope of the oVert TCN by adding 1100 species across 160 genera, additionally filling a phenotypic data gap in the digital biodiversity landscape pertaining to reptile and amphibian media. These data will broadly support analysis of the patterns and processes relating to evolution, adaptation, convergence, and comparative and functional morphology. Extensive regional sampling will drive investigations into ecomorphology along various environmental gradients, and targeting endemic species will uncover rare or cryptic phenotypes such as those belonging to narrowly distributed microhabitat specialists, endangered, threatened and extinct species, and miniaturized taxa found throughout Mesoamerica. oMeso will leverage existing oVert TCN workflows and digital infrastructure to optimize efficiency and standardize products. Roughly 10% of specimens will be prepared with contrast-enhancement to render soft tissue structures in scans. Resulting raw CT tomograms, 3D surface models, and photo-stacked images will be openly disseminated through MorphoSource and Arctos and integrate with iDigBio, linking project media to corresponding source specimen records and extended data products (e.g., genetic sequences, publications, symbionts). oMeso will bring together collaborators from the University of Colorado, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Florida, along with specimen contributions from seven museum institutions to develop this comprehensive and globally accessible whole phenome resource.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.