Three dimensional printing as an effective method of producing anatomically accurate models for studies in thermal ecology |
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| Institution: | 1. Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia;2. Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;3. The Institute for Bird Populations, PO Box 1346, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA;4. Forest Science Unit, New South Wales, NSW Industry-Lands, PO Box 242, Parramatta, NSW 2151, Australia;5. School of Mathematics and Statistics and Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia;1. Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia;2. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, Queensland, Australia;3. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Hollow copper models painted to match the reflectance of the animal subject are standard in thermal ecology research. While the copper electroplating process results in accurate models, it is relatively time consuming, uses caustic chemicals, and the models are often anatomically imprecise. Although the decreasing cost of 3D printing can potentially allow the reproduction of highly accurate models, the thermal performance of 3D printed models has not been evaluated. We compared the cost, accuracy, and performance of both copper and 3D printed lizard models and found that the performance of the models were statistically identical in both open and closed habitats. We also find that 3D models are more standard, lighter, durable, and inexpensive, than the copper electroformed models. |
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| Keywords: | Operative temperature models Biophysical models Physiological ecology |
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