charisma

charisma performs reproducible color characterization of digital images, classifying colors into discrete categories using a biologically-inspired approach for large-scale studies of biological organisms.

Key Features:

• Color Classification: Classifies every pixel in an image into distinct color classes.
• Biological Relevance: Uses color categories representative of biologically relevant color classes rather than arbitrary classifications.
• Validation: Validates color classification results using pre-identified, canonical color swatches.
• Integration: Outputs integrate seamlessly with downstream evolutionary analyses.
• Standardization: Provides a standardized, reliable, and reproducible framework for high-throughput color classification.

Scientific Applications:

• Color Evolution Studies: Analyzes color evolution in diverse biological organisms, as demonstrated in tanagers (subfamily Thraupinae).
• Large-Scale Image Database Analysis: Enables analysis of large-scale image databases that previous methods could not accommodate.
• Expert Validation: Produces color classifications consistent with those made by color-pattern experts in the field.

Methodology:

charisma uses a biologically-inspired approach to classify colors into discrete categories; the package was validated using pre-identified, canonical color swatches and comparison with color-pattern expert classifications.