Stereometric Parameters of Butterfly Wings

Abstract

This paper analyses the data stereometric of three samples obtained using the atomic force microscope. The data concern the two butterfly species: Euploea mulciber (known as “Striped Blue Crow”) and Morpho didius (also named as “Giant Blue Morpho”). These species have a strong correlation color wings of the angle of incidence of light. This is structural coloration and it depends on the surface topography. Here we present a method for the topography evaluation. A script created in Matlab software version R2012 by MathWorks® was used for segmentation data stereometric and analysis of localized motifs occurring on the surface of the samples. An analysis of the data using stereometric software MountainsMap® Premium version 7.3.7746 by Digital Surf was made to compare the results obtained using the script developed in Matlab, for identification of all sorts of motifs, such as peaks, pits, or irregular shapes in correlation with the surface statistical parameters. The analysis of motifs is essential when choosing the appropriate technique for imaging the 3-D (three-dimensional) microtextured features of butterfly wings surfaces. This stereometric analysis proves to be an effective method that can be successfully used for estimation of micro- and nano- topography by processing of AFM data