Coded descriptive dataset
The information of the whole collection of data of each species, result
in a dataset as synthesized in table 1, this is the final morphologic
description outcome and represents the complete and up to date set of
information for each studied species. However, it is dynamic and open to
additional information, when available.
The coded dataset is hierarchically ordered in four columns namely,
Tagma, Segment, Chaetal field and Morphological unit (Table 1), a fifth
column is inserted with the coded information of the species (Fig. 1).
The lines of the resulting dataset bring the different features of the
chaetotaxy and general morphology (e.g., eyes, foot complex). The
cells in the column of morphological unit, are the actual features to be
observed in the specimen, where each one is a recognizable morphological
unit of the animal whole morphology, that is described and coded in the
character list (Appendix 1).
Using an example of a defined character and its code according to
appendix 1, we have: Antennal / ANT / ANT M + L / 3+1+3 4(9)3(7), were
Antennal indicates the segment, ANT is the chaetal field (see Fig. 1A),
ANT M+L is the morphologic unit, 3+1+3 are the observed chaetae in the
respective chaetal field (3 paired and 1 axial according to bilateral
simetry), and 4(9)3(10) means that there are four type “9” chaetae,
and three type “7” chaetae (total 7 chaetae or 3 +1+3), the types are
defined by comparison among the photos in figure 8. To the combination
of chaetae number and type is given a numeric code (this example is
coded 0 in the character list Appendix 1).