Development of a system for the automated identification of herbarium specimens with high accuracy.

Journal: Scientific reports
Published Date: May 16, 2022

Abstract

Herbarium specimens are dried plants mounted onto paper. They are used by a limited number of researchers, such as plant taxonomists, as a source of information on morphology and distribution. Recently, digitised herbarium specimens have begun to be used in comprehensive research to address broader issues. However, some specimens have been misidentified, and if used, there is a risk of drawing incorrect conclusions. In this study, we successfully developed a system for identifying taxon names with high accuracy using an image recognition system. We developed a system with an accuracy of 96.4% using 500,554 specimen images of 2171 plant taxa (2064 species, 9 subspecies, 88 varieties, and 10 forms in 192 families) that grow in Japan. We clarified where the artificial intelligence is looking to make decisions, and which taxa is being misidentified. As the system can be applied to digitalised images worldwide, it is useful for selecting and correcting misidentified herbarium specimens.

Authors

  • Masato Shirai
    Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science and Engineering, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane, 690-8504, Japan.
  • Atsuko Takano
    Institute for Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo/ Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo, 6 Chome, Yayoigaoka, Sanda, Hyogo, 669-1546, Japan.
  • Takahide Kurosawa
    Faculty of Symbiotic Systems Science, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan.
  • Masahito Inoue
    The Shimane Nature Museum of Mt. Sanbe, 1121-8 Tane, Sanbe-chyou, Oda-city, Shimane, 694-0003, Japan.
  • Shuichiro Tagane
    The Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima University, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
  • Tomoya Tanimoto
    Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane, 690-8504, Japan.
  • Tohru Koganeyama
    Alpha Hydraulic Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Round Cross Tsukiji 9F, 3-9-9, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
  • Hirayuki Sato
    Alpha Hydraulic Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Round Cross Tsukiji 9F, 3-9-9, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
  • Tomohiko Terasawa
    Alpha Hydraulic Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Round Cross Tsukiji 9F, 3-9-9, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
  • Takehito Horie
    Alpha Hydraulic Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Round Cross Tsukiji 9F, 3-9-9, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
  • Isao Mandai
    T.R. Workers Co., Ltd., 1001-3-72-1 Tamagawa, Chofu-city, Tokyo, 182-0025, Japan.
  • Takashi Akihiro
    Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane, 690-8504, Japan. akihirotakashi@gmail.com.

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