Zooplankton Image Classification Using a FlowCam Flow Imaging Microscope

I. A. Minsky1, 2, D. A. Litvinyuk1, 2, *, V. P. Evstigneev1, 2, A. A. Pinaev1, V. S. Mukhanov1, 2

1 Sevastopol State University, Sevastopol, Russia

2 A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, Sevastopol, Russia

* e-mail: d.litvinyuk@ibss-ras.ru

Abstract

For many years, a FlowCam flow imaging microscope (Yokogawa Fluid Imaging Inc., USA) has been used to study communities of marine organisms – their species composition, structure, and dynamics, as well as morphological characteristics of individual organisms. However, the problem of standardizing protocols for using these types of instruments in the field of visualization cytometry for processing plankton samples remains unsolved. The aim of the study was to develop a methodology for zooplankton image classification using VisualSpreadsheet tools – the software that controls the system operation. For the first time, an algorithm for automatic search of value filters was developed, and the ordering of class tabs in the VisualSpreadsheet classification window was formalized. The proposed method was applied to native samples of Black Sea zooplankton and, under certain conditions, enabled the correct classification of 100% of bivalve larvae (class mollusca) and the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans (class noctiluca), 82% of the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica (class oikopleura), 71.2% of naupliar (larval) stages (class nauplius), and up to 70.2% of calanoid and cyclopod (class copepoda). Overall, the described approach can be used for any type of object studied with FlowCam, especially those with a complex morphology.

Keywords

FlowCam, VisualSpreadsheet, zооplankton, images classification, classification algorithm

Acknowledgments

The study was carried out under the state assignment of Sevastopol State University on the topic “Comprehensive Marine Interdisciplinary Research on the Research Vessel 'Pioneer-M' in the Shelf Zone and Continental Slope of the Black Sea under Conditions of Anthropogenic Impact and Climate Change” (FEFM-2024-0013); and under IBSS state research assignment “Transformation of the structure and functions of marine pelagic ecosystems under the anthropogenic load and climate change” (No. 124030400057-4).

About the authors

Ivan A. Minsky, Junior Researcher, Research Laboratory “Marine Ecosystems”, Institute of Advanced Studies, Sevastopol State University (33, Universitetskaya St., 299053, Sevastopol, Russia); Leading Engineer, A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2, Nakhimov Ave., 299011, Sevastopol, Russia), ORCID ID: 0009-0009-6539-303X, Scopus Author ID: 58168623600, ivansimfer@yandex.ru

Daria A. Litvinyuk, Senior Researcher, A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2, Nakhimov Ave., 299011, Sevastopol, Russia), PhD (Biol.), ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9732-1219, Scopus Author ID: 57195425970, ResearcherID: ABB-1684-2021, d.litvinyuk@ibss-ras.ru

Vladislav P. Evstigneev, Leading Researcher, Sevastopol State University (33, Universitetskaya St., 299053, Sevastopol, Russia), PhD (Phys.-Math.), Associate Professor, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3064-2613, ResearcherID: G-1894-2014, Scopus Author ID: 12544785600, vald_e@rambler.ru

Andrey A. Pinaev, Master’s Degree Holder, Sevastopol State University (33, Universitetskaya St., 299053, Sevastopol, Russia), ResearchID: rid125302, mrsend@mail.ru

Vladimir S. Mukhanov, Leading Researcher, Head of the Plankton Department, A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2, Nakhimov Ave., 299011, Sevastopol, Russia), PhD (Biol.), Scopus Author ID: 7004040853, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5324-045X, ResearcherID: H-4760-2014, v.s.mukhanov@ibss-ras.ru

For citation

Minsky, I.A., Litvinyuk, D.A., Evstigneev, V.P., Pinaev, A.A. and Mukhanov, V.S., 2026. Zooplankton Image Classification Using a FlowCam Flow Imaging Microscope. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones of Sea, (2), pp. 145–161.

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