Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T22:16:21.727Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Virtual paleontology: computer-aided analysis of fossil form and function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Imran A. Rahman  and
Selena Y. Smith
Imran A. Rahman
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK,
Selena Y. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

‘Virtual paleontology’ entails the use of computational methods to assist in the three-dimensional (3-D) visualization and analysis of fossils, and has emerged as a powerful approach for research on the history of life. Three-dimensional imaging techniques allow poorly understood or previously unknown anatomies of fossil plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, as well as microfossils and trace fossils, to be described in much greater detail than formerly possible, and are applicable to a wide range of preservation types and specimen sizes (Table 1). These methods include non-destructive high-resolution scanning technologies such as conventional X-ray micro-tomography and synchrotron-based X-ray tomography. In addition, form and function can be rigorously investigated through quantitative analysis of computer models, for example finite-element analysis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 88 , Issue 4 , July 2014 , pp. 633 - 635
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bright, J. 2014. A review of paleontological finite element models and their validity. Journal of Paleontology, 88:760–769.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, M., Francis, J., and Carpenter, R. 2014. New views of plant fossils from Antarctica: a comparison of X-ray and neutron imaging techniques. Journal of Paleontology, 88:702–707.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, D. C., Shirley, E. A., Whalen, C. D., Calamari, Z. T., Rountrey, A. N., Tikhonov, A. N., Buigues, B., Lacombat, F., Grigoriev, S., and Lazarev, P. A. 2014. X-ray computed tomography of two mammoth calf mummies. Journal of Paleontology, 88:664–675.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Friis, E. M., Marone, F., Pederson, K. J., Crane, P. R., and Stampanoni, M. 2014. Three-dimensional visualization of fossil flowers, fruits, seeds and other plant remains using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM): new insights into Cretaceous plant diversity. Journal of Paleontology, 88:684–701.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garwood, R. and Dunlop, J. 2014. The walking dead: Blender as a tool for paleontologists with a case study on extinct arachnids. Journal of Paleontology, 88:735–746.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Giles, S. and Friedman, M. 2014. Virtual reconstructions of endocast anatomy in early ray-finned fishes (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii). Journal of Paleontology, 88:636–651.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Juarez Rivera, M. and Sumner, D. Y. 2014. Unraveling the three-dimensional morphology of Archaen microbialites. Journal of Paleontology, 88:719–726.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lautenschlager, S. and Rücklin, M. 2014. Beyond the print – Virtual paleontology in science publishing, outreach and education. Journal of Paleontology, 88:727–734.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lehane, J. R. and Ekdale, A. A. 2014. Analytical tools for quantifying the morphology of invertebrate trace fossils. Journal of Paleontology, 88:747–759.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Racicot, R. A. and Rowe, T. 2014. Endocranial anatomy of a new fossil porpoise (Odontoceti, Phocoenidae) from the Pliocene San Diego Formation of California. Journal of Paleontology, 88:652–663.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rücklin, M., Donoghue, P. C. J., Cunningham, J. A., Marone, F., and Stampanoni, M. 2014. Developmental paleobiology of the vertebrate skeleton. Journal of Paleontology, 88:676–683.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schemm-Gregory, M. 2014. A new Givetian athyridid species from Northwest Africa discovered by 3-D reconstruction of shell morphology of internal molds. Journal of Paleontology, 88:708–718.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sutton, M. D., Rahman, I. A., and Garwood, R. J. 2014. Techniques for Virtual Palaeontology. Wiley, Oxford, 208p.Google Scholar