Different observers introduce not negligible biases in comparative karyomorphological studies

By

Peruzzi, Lorenzo
Franzoni, Jacopo
Tiburtini, Manuel
Abidi, Emanuela
Alù, Emiliano
Barone, Giulio
Bianchi, Elisabetta
Cataudella, Chiara
Di Iorio, Emanuela
Guerrina, Maria
Mondello, Fabio
Paino, Luca
Pentassuglia, Mario
Porrovecchio, Manuela
Rivieccio, Giovanni
Siccardi, Eugenia
Stinca, Adriano
Tei, Alessio
Volanti, Virginia
Giacò, Antonio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

Comparative cytogenetics : international journal of plant & animal cytogenetics, karyosystematics and molecular systematics

Volume

18

Pages

175--182

Subjects

Cytogenetics , cytosystematics , cytotaxonomy , karyotype asymmetry , karyotype structure

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

St. Petersburg, Russia [Published] with technical support of Zoological Institute RAS [2007]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/compcytogen.18.135172

 

Abstract

Within a practical course of cytotaxonomy organized in Pisa (Italy) on February 2024 by the Group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society, we tested whether using image analysis softwares possible biases are still introduced by different observers. We conclude that observer bias selectively applies in possibly overestimating the length of short arms in a karyotype. As a consequence, the parameters most sensitive to these possible errors are CVCI and CVCL, and to a less degree MCA and THL. To achieve more stable results among observers, a still lacking standardized measurement protocol could be helpful.