"Original microscope images from client samples"
Lynne M. Witty has over 26 years 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. Examples can be seen in the slideshow.
IdentaZoop is fully commercially insured, including $2M CGL and $1M E&O coverage.
Canadian specialist in freshwater crustacean zooplankton taxonomy — exclusively
What I Do
Every project is customized to your specific requirements, with one Taxonomist personally handling all processing from start to finish — ensuring consistency, accuracy, and direct communication throughout. IdentaZoop serves Canadian clients 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 measurements and calculations delivered via custom Python scripts as analysis-ready Excel files. See the Sample Processing page for full technical details. Note that ZEBRA2 is based on studies involving formalin-preserved samples only. See the FAQs page under Methods and Equipment for more 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.
Contact
Offering competitive per-sample rates. Contact me for a free estimate.
Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
