PennState University has developed a phenomenal resource for zebrafish researchers. It is a web-based anatomical and pathological atlas of the zebrafish. The atlas serves as a resource of reference images of ‘normal’ zebrafish at different stages of development.

The atlas is comprised of two-dimensional histology images taken from serially sectioned specimens, and also includes three-dimensional reconstructions. New additions to the atlas include microCT scans. The atlas can be used as a reference tool, a resource to become more familiar with zebrafish anatomy, and it can serve as a tool for comparing different imaging techniques.

The slides in the Zebrafish Atlas allow the user to choose his or her own field of view and magnification, view labeled sections of the zebrafish, and view sections from different stages of development. The authors report on the Zebrafish Atlas website that they plan to add embryonic, larval, and juvenile sections, as well as comparisons (mutant vs. normal, diseased vs. normal, etc) in the future.

Depending on your area of study, you can select a region of interest to learn more about. For example, the Zebrafish Atlas provides a very useful overview of the (adult) Zebrafish brain in the anatomical reference section.

Credits: http://zfatlas.psu.edu/, NIH grant 5R24 RR01744, Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation, and PA Tobacco Settlement Fund.