The Numerical Encoding of Scale Morphology Highly Improves Photographic Identification in Lizards.

摘要: Photographic identification is a promising marking technique alternative to the toe-clipping, but time consuming, particularly when large number of individuals involved. For this reason several authors had frequently preferred the toe-clipping. In study we analysed black spot pattern of ventral scales wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) and showed that photographic an effective method for recognizing individuals, error much less than toe-clipping arising from natural toe loss. Moreover, numerically encoding may radically reduce needed to compare the pictures samples solving one more important obstacle against use identification.