Original microscope images from client samples
Lynne M. Witty has over two decades of continuous, full-time experience in freshwater crustacean zooplankton taxonomy — among the longest unbroken records of any active Canadian Taxonomist in this discipline.
Every project is handled personally from start to finish — ensuring inter-analyst consistency for long-term monitoring programs.
The only Taxonomist delivering ZEBRA2 data via custom Python automation — producing modern, analysis-ready Excel files directly from raw output. (See Sample Processing for full details.)
High-quality digital microscope images of each project are included, at no added cost.
IdentaZoop is fully commercially insured, including $2M Commercial General Liability (CGL) and $1M Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage.
Canadian specialist in freshwater crustacean zooplankton taxonomy — exclusively
What I Do
IdentaZoop is a Canadian business, independently owned and operated by Lynne M. Witty. Processing freshwater crustacean zooplankton samples from all parts of Canada, exclusively.
Early contact is strongly recommended — processing time fills up months in advance.
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Specialized in the identification of Canadian freshwater crustacean zooplankton (Cladocera and Copepoda) to species.
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Experienced in identifying and assigning attributes to invasive species such as the spiny water flea (Bythotrephes cederstroemii), fishhook water flea (Cercopagis pengoi), and zebra mussel veligers (Dreissena polymorpha).
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Biomass protocols are based on ZEBRA2, with species assignments and measurements delivered via custom Python scripts as analysis-ready Microsoft Excel files. See the Sample Processing page for full technical details.
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Client data are regularly backed up in multiple secure locations (both SSD- and cloud-based) and retained in perpetuity, ensuring long-term data security for all projects.
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IdentaZoop uses microscope equipment optimized for image resolution, ensuring accurate species identifications and biomass assessments — specifically a Leica M205C stereomicroscope and Leica MC170 HD microscope camera (product brochure, PDF).
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IdentaZoop actively monitors current taxonomic research and keeps pace with evolving identification and processing protocols used by research agencies across Canada.
Ready to work with an experienced professional Zooplankton Taxonomist?
Contact me today to discuss your project.
Trusted by
Federal and provincial government clients include: Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP), and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). University clients include: Laurentian University, Saint Mary's University, and McGill University.
Get in Touch
Rates are based on taxonomic effort. Contact me for a free estimate.