The Digital Dolphin: are 3D mobile based and interactive models a useful aid to volunteers on stranding schemes learning the basic anatomy and pathology of cetaceans?

Mundy, N., Poyade, M. and Brownlow, A. (2022) The Digital Dolphin: are 3D mobile based and interactive models a useful aid to volunteers on stranding schemes learning the basic anatomy and pathology of cetaceans? In: Rea, P. M. (ed.) Medical Visualization and Applications of Technology. Series: Biomedical Visualization, 1. Springer Nature Switzerland AG, pp. 263-295. ISBN 9783031067341 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-06735-8_9)

Abstract

Cetacean research is crucially aided by stranding programmes, such as the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS). As part of SMASS’s activities, it facilitates necropsies on dead stranded marine mammals throughout Scotland. Marine mammals can become stranded for multiple reasons and necropsies provide researchers with valuable information about life history, contaminant burden, feeding ecology, and cause of death. In Scotland, necropsies are typically performed by experienced veterinary pathologists supported by a network of volunteer citizen scientists. To successfully sample visceral organs, volunteers must be properly trained in the anatomy and pathology of cetaceans. Although there have been numerous examples of 3D models being used to teach human or veterinary anatomy, few interactive and digitally accessible resources exist to support education of cetacean anatomy. Within this project, an intuitive app with a series of 3D models illustrating the anatomies of the thoracic cavity of a harbour porpoise has been developed to provide anatomical data in a digital format accessible on mobile devices in a field situation. Pilot testing was conducted and the results were highly rated in usability and user experience. Minor refinements to the models are recommended to increase accuracy in future product development. This pilot testing confirmed that there is a demand for 3D digital models of cetacean anatomy to support stranding network volunteers.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Poyade, Mr Matthieu and Brownlow, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Mundy, N., Poyade, M., and Brownlow, A.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
• ISSN: 2731-6130
• ISBN: 9783031067341
• Published Online: 09 September 2022