微体古生物微型计算机辅助研究系统

AN AUXILIARY RESEARCH SYSTEM FOR MICROPALEONTOLOGY

微体古生物微型计算机辅助研究系统是一个包括古生物化石属种数据厍、图象库、图象处理和数据采集系统以及定量分析系统在内的综合性古生物数据处理系统。其中,数据库和图象库的主要作用在于辅助化石鉴定。目前数据库和图象库包括了新生代浮游有孔虫1036个种的文字和图象资料。数据库和定量分析系统之间的数据传送非常方便,实现了对大批量古生物数据的定量分析,包括聚类分析、因子分析、瓦格纳网络分析、个体发育分析以及各种统计方法,这些分析程序都配制了相应的绘图功能,使分析结果能以直观的形式输出。定量分析有助于我们对一些“同物异名”和“异物同名”问题的厘定,并由此产生对分类问题的一些新认识。同时,定量分析有助于从定量的角度考查新生代浮游有孔虫的整体变化。

In order to reduce arduous work in identifying microfossils and analyzing micropaleontological data by conventional methods, it is necessary to develop a microcomputer system to identify microfossils and deal with the ever increasing amount of descriptive data. We've been working on building Micropaleontological Auxiliary Research System for six years. Our principal activities are to generate, collect, emendate and classify micropaleontological data, to study paleontological data procession methods. The Micropaleontological Accessary Research System includes microfossil genus and species database, image database, image processing system and quan titative analysis system. Now, this database contains more than 1.2 Megabytes (about 1036 species) planktonic foraminifera data including name of genus and species, diagnosis, measurements, synonymy, type locality, geological range, fossil zone, age, geographical distribution, reference source and remarks etc. The diagnosis of species are changed into popular and practical feature codes therefore the key for the genus and species database is the standardized diagnostic codes of the planktonic foraminifera. More than 300 Megabytes (about 1036 species) image data have been stored in the image database which is correspondent with the database of the genera and species. The image processing system has a resolution of 512 by 512 with 64 grey levels per point, which is supplied with closed circuit television camera. Any measurements can be get easily by the image processing system. This database and the image database has been applied to identify microfossils to meet the development in Petroleum industry and the exploration of marine resources, and micropaleontological research as well. We employed multilevel menu in the database, so that it is easier for paleontologists to use. We used it to identify the planktonic foraminifera fossils of the South China Sea last year, which has been proved very efficient. Therefore the National Offshore Oil Corporation of China has purchased this software. After building the micropaleontological database, we began to study the evolutionary trends and classification of the Cenozoic planktonic foraminifera by means of multivariate statistical methods (Quantitative Analysis System). The quantitative analysis system includes multivariant statistical analysis, Wagner evolutionary tree analysis, simple statistical analysis and ontogeny analysis. All the program we have designed possess the plot functions so that one can get direct vision on the results, for example, cladogram. The descriptive features in the genus and species database have been transformed into quantitative variables according to the theory of quantification. On the basis of quantification, some quantitative analysis have been done. Some typical 'Synonyms' and 'Homonyms' have been found out and revised by the quantitative analysis results. This package is based around a suitable microcomputer such as an IBM PC/XT/AT and its compatible clones.