Out of the Blue and into the Black: Preparation, Mounting, and Image Rendering of Complex, Chorate Dinoflagellate Cysts for Scanning Electron Microscopy

We describe an experimental approach for achieving an optimal black background for scanning electron photomicrographs of small samples with elaborate and intricate structures. Specimens of the highly ornate, 66-million-year-old chorate dinoflagellate cyst species Cannosphaeropsis franciscana were selected as the subject of this study. Photomicrographs collected following standard aluminum stub surface placement were compared to those taken of specimens mounted using a novel pin-and-pedestal method. This simplistic mounting technique minimizes the need for post-production image editing and extraneous background removal.