Spotlight on Lucid 4

The recent release of the latest Lucid v4 update marks an important milestone in the development of the Lucid software platform. This new version brings together two different key systems that had previously been released as separate software products: namely, the Lucid (matrix) key system and the Lucid Phoenix (dichotomous/pathway) key system. 

When the Lucid matrix key software was released in 1995, and a few Lucid keys made available as CD products, virtually the only alternative systematic process for identifying taxa was to use one of the thousands, if not millions, of dichotomous keys, published in floras and other taxonomic publications. While these hard copy keys can be, and often are, displayed digitally, the Lucid team decided to take full advantage of the existing software technology at that time to develop an interactive, digital dichotomous key - Lucid Phoenix Builder and Player: it was initially released in (2004). 

Now, with the recent Lucid v4 software update, that includes Phoenix type functionality, users can build digital dichotomous keys from scratch. However, it is the ability to convert existing dichotomous keys to interactive user-friendly keys that is likely to be the most common way in which it will be used.  Converting a hard copy, dichotomous key to a Lucid dichotomous key involves a three-step process: 

1. The use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to digitise the hard copy dichotomous key, if not already available as digital text.

Lucid Builder pathway key import dialog example showing an error within the key

2. Importing the digitised dichotomous key into the Lucid v4 Builder, causes the internal logic of the key to be automatically checked, and any inconsistencies reported.

Lucid Player main interface showing an example pathway key

3. The finalised key can be deployed with the latest ‘instant play’ Lucid Player, which allows “unanswerable” couplets to be skipped, filters to be applied to automatically rebuild subsets of taxa, etc.

Claire Boschert and Torsten Dikow (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History) are first out of the gate to release a pathway key under the new Lucid v4 Builder with a key to Eremohaplomydas, Haplomydas, and Lachnocorynus - Details below in Latest Keys.

The newly released Lucid v4 also includes many more minor improvements and bug fixes, including speed improvements when working with very large keys.

To check the latest details of Lucid v4 releases. See: https://apps.lucidcentral.org/lucid4/updates.html

Lucid v4 licence holders can download the latest edition via:

https://www.lucidcentral.org/my-account/downloads/

If you are interested in finding out more about Lucid visit: http://www.lucidcentral.org/lucid/ 

To purchase Lucid v4: https://www.lucidcentral.org/product/lucid-v4/

Latest keys

Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds version 10 released

The PPPW version 10 has been released (web edition and native apps). This hugely popular resource is attracting well over 35k unique visitors a month. Work on new fact sheets continues, along with updating existing ones. Another update is expected soon. It will include deeper linkages to the Pestnet community (https://app.pestnet.org), where users of PPPW can ask questions and discuss their pest, pathogen or weed issues.

https://apps.lucidcentral.org/pppw_v10/

Key to the Mantodea of Belize

This regional key is to the 21 known species of Mantodea in Belize. 

Authors: Lohit Garikipati and Jason E. Bond, University of California Davis

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v4/mantodea_of_belize/

Eremohaplomydas, Haplomydas, and Lachnocorynus key (Lucid Pathway key)

This dichotomous key to species of the Afrotropical Mydidae genera Eremohaplomydas Bequaert, 1959, Haplomydas, Bezzi, 1924, and Lachnocorynus Hesse, 1969 is the result of a taxonomic revision published by Boschert & Dikow 2021 in African Invertebrates.

Authors: Claire Boschert and Torsten Dikow.

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v4/eremohaplomydas_dichotomous/

On the Fly

CSIRO Entomology’s ‘On the Fly - Families of Australian flies’ has now been updated and released as a Lucid mobile app on the Google and App stores. 

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/search/on-the-fly/

IDphy: molecular and morphological identification of Phytophthora based on the types

Lucid Android and iOS apps of the IDphy key have now been released. IDphy was developed to facilitate accurate and efficient identification of Phytophthora to species, using type specimens from the original descriptions for reference wherever possible. IDphy focuses on species of high economic impact and species of regulatory concern for the U.S. IDphy includes molecular and morphological tools to aid in the identification of the 161 culturable species of Phytophthora described as of May 2018.

https://idtools.org/id/phytophthora/index.php

Guide to identification of the bats of Chile (Guía para la identificación de los murciélagos de Chile)

Identification guide for the bats of Chile. These keys provide identification for both bats in hand and non-invasive acoustic identification using species specific unique vocal signatures. This is the first Spanish language guide of a series of acoustic identifications for countries and regions for New World bats.  Detailed vocal signature Fact Sheets, ecological distributions and conservation status is included along with a comprehensive glossary of acoustic terminology.

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v4/bats/chile

EUCLID - Eucalypts of Australia

Euclid’s popularity continues with the app still in the top 50 reference apps (No# 3). Due to the large number of new users and enquiries about this key we’ve put together some of the top FAQs.

Is it possible to search the content?

Yes, you can search via the Identification component (Identify) of the app. When using the identification key the search option is available in the top right of the main screen.

Can I save my identification progress or preselected features?

Yes, your identification sessions can be saved at any time via the menu using the ‘Sessions’ option in the identification menu. Loading a saved session also happens via this menu option.

Can I use the Euclid app without an Internet connection?

Yes, the app will work without an internet connection. If you want to access all the species images while offline, then you have the option to pre-download an image pack before going out into the field.

The splash screen seems to take a long time to disappear.

The splash screen is displayed for 1.5 seconds. If that’s too slow simply tap the splash screen for it to be dismissed and the app’s home screen will be immediately shown.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lucidcentral.mobile.euclid

Apple iOS: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/euclid-eucalypts-of-australia/id1503451097

USA iOS users: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/euclid-eucalypts-of-australia/id1503451097

Software Updates

Lucid v4 

A new update of Lucid v4 has been released and is available to download via Lucidcentral.org. See the release notes for bug fixes and changes.

https://apps.lucidcentral.org/lucid4/updates.html

Download (login required) via:

https://www.lucidcentral.org/my-account/downloads/