Comparative Study of Mussel Shells Using 3D Scanning

Abstract

Present work examines the feasibility of using light based 3D scanning as a tool to fulfil mussel shells’ morphological and dimensional analysis and establishes a scanning methodology for future studies. These analysis will serve as a first step to determine a methodology to scan, to build and to set paths for analysing the 3D objects (points clouds) in order to achieve comparative studies with large amount of individuals (>100). 2 mussels from 4 different species and locations were scanned: Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) from Norway, Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the estuary of Bilbao in the north of Spain, Baltic blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) from Baltic sea and Black pygmy mussel (Xenostrobus securis) from a different spot in the estuary of Bilbao. Different scanning methodologies were tested: (i) with/without ambient light, (ii) with/without black plasticine inside the valve and (iii) different mussels’ positions. Results show that the best methodology in terms of time elapsed, post-processing cost and fidelity to reality was to scan both valves laid down with their outer part outwards filled up with black plasticine and with ambient light. These results will sever us to set a scanning methodology to use in studies that require the analysis of large amount on individuals, for example in toxicological, origin and/or species studies among others.