Micscape Articles by Walter Dioni, Mexico.

From 2002 to 2011 Walter Dioni, Mexico has shared over 60 often heavily illustrated articles on Micscape on a wide range of topics. They are all linked to below and illustrate the breadth of his interests, his love of microscopic life and the microscope as a tool. English is not Walter's first language so especially impressive to share technical topics in a clear manner.

Microtechnique - using readily available materials

Safe microscopic techniques for amateurs. I: Mounting microscopic subjects - Part 1: Introduction - liquid media.

Safe microscopic techniques for amateurs. I: Mounting microscopic subjects - Part 2: Soldifying media.

Safe microscopic techniques for amateurs. Mounting microscopic subjects. Part 3 - Mixed mounting media - Part A; fructoglycerol and modified Brun's medium as mountants

Safe microscopic techniques for amateurs. Mounting microscopic subjects. Part 3b. PVA-lactic acid and PVA-glycerol

Safe microscopic techniques for amateurs. Mounting microscopic subjects. Part 3c - Gum arabic media

Safe microscopical reagents for amateurs. Mounting microscopic subjects. Part 4 -Glycerine jellies. Part 5 - Mountant summary

Safe mounting media for microscopy. Ten years after. - reassesses the relative merits of the mountants he described in an earlier series, to see which have good archival properties.

Alternative mounting media revisited

About microscopy and the chemistry of nail polish

Some stains for amateur microscopy

Topical tips 12: formalin and formaldehyde

No formalin, no mercury, new fixers: Part 1

No formalin, no mercury fixatives. Part 2

Experiments on relaxing microorganisms with very dilute formalin

Eosin as a nuclear stain in botany and as an economical substitute in zoology

Microscopists, health, and war against narcotics and terrorism - comments on the increasing difficulties experienced by enthusiasts when obtaining reagents, with suggestions for future approaches.

Identification and study guides to selected groups

A key to the genera of rotifer Bdelloidea. Part 1

A key to the genera of rotifer Bdelloidea.Part 2

A key to the genera of rotifer Bdelloidea. Part 3

An annotated key for species of the family Stentoridae and two related families. A tour through the taxonomic maze

Exploring microscopic life

Microscopic fauna, some lifestyles. Part I

Microscopic fauna; some lifestyles. Part 2. The cockroach as a host

Microscopic fauna some lifestyles.Part 3. Endocommensals of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

Microscopic fauna. Some lifestyles, part 4

Microscopic fauna. Some lifestyles, part 5

The reproduction of vorticella

Pioneer aquatic microfauna in a treehole

The development of Physella a freshwater snail. Part 1

The development of Physella, a freshwater snail. Part 2

Memories from 2004

Memories of 2004. A mysterious worm

Parasites of the tropical gar

Book review: A field guide to bacteria by Betsey Dexter Dyer

Physaloptera squamatae an extensive and beautifully illustrated microscopical study of this parasite which he dissected from the stomach of a common garden lizard in Cancun.

Botany

Homage to the onion skin

Dicotyledon stem: for the beginner botanist from a beginner botanist

Coccoloba uvifera. The leaves and a parasite

Aptenia cordifolia. A small illustrated monograph

Aptenia cordifolia A short illustrated monograph. Part 2 - reproductive organs

Onion skin series - describing the microscopic studies and microtechniques that can be undertaken using this versatile and readily obtainable subject.

How many onion skins are there? 

Who invented the 'onion skin' biology lab? 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Easy and not so easy methods to work with 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Fixing with hot water and staining with brilliant blue FCF 

The use of“Brillant Blue #1” as a nuclear dye useful for amateur microscopists, and notes on Fast Green FCF 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Fixing with citric acid 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Fixing with acetic acid 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Fixing with alcohols 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Fixing with Clarke’s fixative -  Staining with Blue 1, and Eosin 

The inner epidermis of the onion bulb’s cataphylls (the onion skin). Staining with acetified lugol-iodine and blue 1

A new method for fixation and coloration of the trans-vacuolar bands in cells of the onion epidermis 

Microscopy technique

About microscopes, measurements and meters

Drawing your microscopic subjects. Part 1- Drawing from the screen of your computer

Microscopes, filters, diaphragms and stops

Drawing your microscopic subjects. Part 2, downloadable high quality scales and grids.

The Mathias arrow, a versatile oblique lighting device

A cheap and precise slicer for studying botany

Technical tips on the use of the precise double razor blades slicer

Low power Köhler microscope

A detachable neck flask technique to sample microinvertebrates from fine grained substrata

A small microfauna sediment sampler

Topical tips. An annotated list of on-line links and bibliography on ... mini-aquariums, micro-aquariums, hanging drops, wet chambers and elementary microcompressors 

Topical tips. An annotated list of on-line links and bibliography on ... mini-aquariums, micro-aquariums, hanging drops, wet chambers and elementary microcompressors. Part 2 

Use of the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 for photomicrography. History of a near-failure or a semi-success - a three part series on using this popular webcam. In part 1 he describes the reasons for his buying decision and methods of using on a microscope with or without the built in lens using suitable homemade or commercial adapters.

Topical tips: Image amalgamation - describes a sometimes overlooked feature in many camera's bundled software or editing software, which allows quick and effective 'clean-up' of a microscopy subject by combining with an inverted background image.

Use of the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 for photomicrography. History of a near-failure or a semi-success In part 2 he assesses various aspects of its still image quality. 

Use of the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 for photomicrography. History of a near-failure or a semi-success In part 3 he assesses its performance using different lighting techniques and for video work.

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