The Sperm Atlas: An open sperm morphology database

Sperm morphology is an indicator of individual fertility potential. Population sustainability is dependent on the maintenance of fertility rates at a threshold below which collapse is inevitable. Thus, sperm morphology is a potential barometer for species viability and should be a ubiquitous measure used in conservation efforts. A database of sperm measures can be used as a reference for normality within species. While current sources of sperm morphology measures across taxa are accessible, there is not a source that collates morphometric measurements together with imaging data. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and partner institutions have created an atlas of imaging and measurement data that has been available previously to the public in a document form. This document reference has been converted to an on-line database with a front end dashboard that is searchable using species or measures information. The database currently includes 370 species with light microscopy and species images. It also includes over 1700 scanning-electron microscopy images captured for 89 species. Species lists can be filtered by morphology measures data using an intuitive interface. Overall species data is summarized using interactive charting. Taxa level information can also be used to filter morphology measures. This project has the potential to be a collaborative resource where other researchers can submit data to the database for publication. The database and dashboard will be publicly available so that it may be utilized by conservation managers to reference target species information and also the public at large for education purposes.

https://spermatlas.org