Classification of Carpiodes Using Fourier Descriptors: A Content Based Image Retrieval Approach

ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Dongxiao Zhu. His help was integral to the completion of this thesis. He taught me how to apply all of the knowledge and theories I learned in class to the application in research. I have learned much about proper research techniques and writing scientific reports. I appreciate all his time and efforts that he dedicated to helping me complete this project. He helped me to explore the depth of my own knowledge and abilities. Without all his valuable help, I would not have had the confidence in myself to accomplish this manuscript. He is a true mentor and friend. I feel I am a better Computer Scientist and Mathematician because of his help. I would like to thank my previous advisor Dr. Yixin Chen. Thank you for believing in my ability to perform research. I really enjoyed your classes and I have obtained so much knowledge from them. I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with you. You never turned me down for help when I needed it. You were invaluable to my success. I would like to thank my whole family for their support throughout this process. Specifically, I would like to thank my wife, Angie, my daughters Alexis Grace, and Brittany Nicole for giving me their time, inspiration, and, most of all, their patience, love, and support. You all taught me that working on research, although tough on the researcher, is equally as tough on family. Thank you all for the sacrifices you made for me. I love you all. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, the late Wiley and Hilda Trahan. Although I lost you both at a very young age, you instilled many values in me that I carry with me to this day. One closest to my heart is the value of education. My education is one of my deepest treasures. There is no amount of thanks I could give to repay you. I dedicate this manuscript in memory of both of you. I love and miss you both. Abstract Taxonomic classification has always been important to the study of any biological system. Many biological species will go unclassified and become lost forever at the current rate of classification. The current state of computer technology makes image storage and retrieval possible on a global level. As a result, computer-aided taxonomy is now possible. Content …