Abstract The widespread digitization of natural history collections, combined with novel tools and approaches is revolutionizing biodiversity science. The ‘extended specimen’ concept advocates a more holistic approach in which a specimen is framed as a diverse stream of interconnected data. Herbarium specimens that by their very nature capture multispecies relationships, such as certain parasites, fungi and lichens, hold great potential to provide a broader and more integrative view of the ecology and evolution of symbiotic interactions. This particularly applies to parasite–host associations, which owing to their interconnectedness are especially vulnerable to global environmental change.Here, we present an overview of how parasitic flowering plants is represented in herbarium collections. We then discuss the variety of data that can be gathered from parasitic plant specimens, and how they can be used to understand global change impacts at multiple scales. Finally, we review best practices for sampling parasitic plants in the field, and subsequently preparing and digitizing these specimens.Plant parasitism has evolved 12 times within angiosperms, and similar to other plant taxa, herbarium collections represent the foundation for analysing key aspects of their ecology and evolution. Yet these collections hold far greater potential. Data and metadata obtained from parasitic plant specimens can inform analyses of co‐distribution patterns, changes in eco‐physiology and species plasticity spanning temporal and spatial scales, chemical ecology of tripartite interactions (e.g. host–parasite–herbivore), and molecular data critical for species conservation. Moreover, owing to the historic nature and sheer size of global herbarium collections, these data provide the spatiotemporal breadth essential for investigating organismal response to global change.Parasitic plant specimens are primed to serve as ideal examples of extended specimen concept and help motivate the next generation of creative and impactful collection‐based science. Continued digitization efforts and improved curatorial practices will contribute to opening these specimens to a broader audience, allowing integrative research spanning multiple domains and offering novel opportunities for education.
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Rapid imaging in the field followed by photogrammetry digitally captures the otherwise lost dimensions of plant specimens
Abstract PremiseWe recognized the need for a customized imaging protocol for plant specimens at the time of collection for the purpose of three‐dimensional (3D) modeling, as well as the lack of a broadly applicable photogrammetry protocol that encompasses the heterogeneity of plant specimen geometries and the challenges introduced by processes such as wilting. Methods and ResultsWe developed an equipment list and set of detailed protocols describing how to capture images of plant specimens in the field prior to their deformation (e.g., with pressing) and how to produce a 3D model from the image sets in Agisoft Metashape Professional. ConclusionsThe equipment list and protocols represent a foundation on which additional improvements can be made for specimen geometries outside of the range of the six types considered, and an easy entry into photogrammetry for those who have not previously used it.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2027654
- PAR ID:
- 10518705
- Publisher / Repository:
- NSF Public Access Repository (NSF-PAR)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Applications in Plant Sciences
- Volume:
- 11
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2168-0450
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Agisoft Metashape biodiversity specimen collection field work herbarium photogrammetry photography,structure from motion (SfM) three‐dimensional models
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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