Developing a Database of Pollen Images

Abstract

A database cataloguing SEM micrographs of pollen specimens can be useful for several purposes. The primary reason would be for educational purposes. The images could be used to study pollen structure, as well as the relationship between pollen and pollinator species. Identification of pollen can be of potential use for medical purposes (such as combating allergic reactions to pollen), and for comparison in a forensic investigation. At the Biology Department of California State University, San Bernardino an ongoing project is underway to construct a database of pollen samples, focusing on local species. The micrographs are created at the Electron Microscope and Images Analysis Center located in the School of Natural Sciences at Cal State San Bernardino using a Hitachi S-2700 SEM. The database will be made available to the public and updated periodically via the Biology Department website (http://biology.csusb.edu).

All specimens were first fixated by placing the pollen grains in a syringe filter and injecting a 2% formaldehyde/4% glutaraldehyde formula and incubating overnight.