Frequently asked questions

IdentaZoop is a Canadian zooplankton taxonomy and sample processing service operated by Lynne M. Witty, a full-time professional Zooplankton Taxonomist based in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. IdentaZoop specializes exclusively in the identification and processing of freshwater crustacean zooplankton — Cladocera and Copepoda — from Canadian lake samples. Lynne is one of only a handful of full-time professional Zooplankton Taxonomists in Canada. Even fewer have 25+ years of full-time experience in this field.

IdentaZoop provides crustacean zooplankton identification to species level (with noted genus-level exceptions), density enumeration, biomass assessment using ZEBRA2 software, rare species scans, and invasive species identification and attribute assignment. All data is delivered in customized Excel spreadsheets, with a set of high-quality digital microscope images included at no extra cost.

IdentaZoop identifies Canadian freshwater Cladocera (generally to species) and Copepoda (adult Calanoida and Cyclopoida to species; copepodids to order or genus level for select taxa; nauplii to order level). Limnocalanus macrurus and Senecella calanoides copepodids are identified to species. Harpacticoida are identified to that order. Invasive species including Bythotrephes cederstroemii (spiny water flea), Cercopagis pengoi (fishhook water flea), and Dreissena polymorpha veligers (zebra mussel) are identified. Attributes are assigned to the Bythotrephes specimens.

IdentaZoop is experienced with the following standard Canadian protocols: the Dorset protocol (MECP), the Simcoe Bythotrephes monitoring protocol (MECP), the Bowen/GLLFAS protocol (DFO, Burlington), the Cultus Lake protocol (DFO, BC), a size-class protocol, and the MFFP/UQAM protocol. Custom protocols can also be accommodated to ensure consistency with an organization’s long-term dataset.

Yes. Biomass processing is performed using ZEBRA2, a semi-automated software package developed for the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Digital caliper measurements are taken under a Leica M205C stereomicroscope and converted to weights using established length-weight regressions for formalin-preserved samples. Custom Python scripts automate the population of biomass and measurement data into client-specific Excel spreadsheets. For ethanol-preserved samples, counts and identifications can be provided without biomass if client-specific length-weight regressions are unavailable.

Identifications and measurements are performed using a Leica M205C stereomicroscope. Specimen images are captured with a Leica MC170 HD microscope camera. This equipment provides the optical resolution required for accurate species-level identifications and precise digital caliper biomass measurements.

IdentaZoop has provided zooplankton processing services to federal and provincial government agencies, universities, and environmental consulting firms across Canada. Clients include Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (multiple laboratories), Natural Resources Canada, McGill University, Laurentian University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Saint Mary’s University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, and the Severn Sound Environmental Association, among others.

Yes. IdentaZoop has extensive experience supporting long-term zooplankton monitoring programs, including the MECP Northern Lakes Zooplankton Monitoring Program and the MECP Lake Simcoe Bythotrephes Monitoring Program. Data consistency across years is a priority — all processing for a given project is handled personally by one Taxonomist from start to finish, ensuring inter-analyst consistency.

IdentaZoop serves Canadian clients exclusively. Projects have spanned Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories, including remote lakes in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the Far North of Ontario, the Inuvik Region (NWT), and Great Slave Lake (NWT).

IdentaZoop has specialized experience identifying and assigning ecological attributes to Bythotrephes cederstroemii (spiny water flea), Cercopagis pengoi (fishhook water flea), and Dreissena polymorpha veligers (zebra mussel). For Bythotrephes, attributes recorded include sex, instar, stage of fecundity, clutch size, and tail spine morphology — consistent with the MECP Lake Simcoe monitoring protocol.

For every project, IdentaZoop delivers species and density data in an Excel spreadsheet per sample, plus a per-lake or per-year species list (format at the client’s discretion). Protocols including biomass produce additional files: mean lengths, mean weights, biomass totals, and a separate measurement file. All files are generated from raw ZEBRA2 data via custom Python scripts, minimizing manual entry. A set of high-quality digital microscope images of all species/genera encountered is also included at no added cost.

IdentaZoop recommends three levels of containment: (1) sealed sample bottles — ideally 125 mL Nalgene bottles with leak-proof polypropylene lids; (2) samples enclosed in a thick plastic bag with absorbent spill pads; (3) samples packed in a hard cooler taped with duct tape. To avoid freeze damage during transit, samples must be received no later than late October. Contact IdentaZoop well in advance to secure a processing queue position.

Due to consistently high demand, processing time fills up several months in advance. Early contact is strongly recommended — ideally at the project planning stage, before field collection begins — to secure your place in the queue.

Pricing is based on taxonomic effort — the time required to process a sample. Key variables include site location (e.g., remote northern lakes with debris-heavy samples require more processing time), sampling methodology (whole sample counts vs. sub-samples), and the processing protocol applied. Rare species scans and final storage vials are available at additional cost. Empty samples are not charged. Contact IdentaZoop for a free estimate.

Yes. IdentaZoop is fully commercially insured.

Client data is backed up in multiple secure locations (both SSD and cloud based) and retained in perpetuity, ensuring long-term data security for all projects.

Yes. Lynne M. Witty has produced two practical identification guides available for free download: a guide to freshwater crustacean zooplankton and a guide to benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy. Full copies of both are available from the Services section of this website and have been used by novice identifiers worldwide for over two decades.