Scientists are embarking on a mission to capture a 3D image of every ant species known to science.
The US team is visiting museums around the world to photograph all of the ant specimens in their collections.
They are using a technique that, for the first time, allows microscopic anatomical detail of the insects' bodies to be photographed.
The aim is to make an online catalogue called Antweb, providing a unique tool for scientists who study the insects.
It will also allow anyone with access to the internet a detailed glimpse of the diverse world of ants.
Brian Fisher from the California Academy of Sciences is leading the study. He and his colleagues have started their "world ant tour" at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London.
The team has already used the imaging technique on ant collections in the US, capturing snapshots of 8,000 ant species so far.
But there are approximately 15,000 species that have been "formally described" in science, and about 30,000 species in total.
Each named and described species has a specimen - an ant that provides the reference for what this species looks like - housed in a museum collection.
Dr Fisher and his team plan to capture a snapshot of every single one of these specimens.
Continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18368213
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