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Photo#43846
Carabus serratus - male

Carabus serratus - Male
7 km east of Paw Paw, 39.5230, -78.3632, Morgan County, West Virginia, USA
July 27, 1990
Size: 18 mm
Unbaited pitfall trap in wooded ravine.

Addendum: Despite the nice comments below, 10+ years later I decided to repost the original image (not exactly sure why)....

Digital Photo Ethics?
If I knew better how to use my imaging software, I could probably make the glue at the right femorotibial joint disappear. Of course I could also create the missing right mesotarsal segments by copying, flipping, and pasting from the other side - voila - a perfect specimen. Would this sort of manipulation be considered ethical photographic behavior?

 
Took me five years
Took me five years to get around to it but I did just now make those changes!

 
Superb quality and ethics
As a longtime collector, I know the time and patience required to properly arrange the appendages (virtually perfect on your specimens). I also note the precise placement of the pin, and lighting that shows the specimen to best advantage. These are no accidents. Thanks for providing us with the very best.
I am of the opinion that it is ethical to digitally repair and replace damaged parts. I think it is important to add a note that spells out the repairs.

Gayle (Gayle & Jeanell Strickland)

 
Go for it
Certainly ethical - many times the unpinned elytra is copied and flipped as well - really perfect. For ID purposes, nothing wrong with 'fixing' the photo, at least in my mind.

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