3D Reconstruction / Palaeobotany / Research / Teaching

Anatomical 3d X-Ray Micro Tomography reconstructions: Maximising palaeobotanical data capture through preliminary non-destructive techniques

Type:

Poster

Event:

The Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting

Year:

2010

Authors:

Spencer ART, Hilton J, Sutton MD.

Abstract:

Over the last decade Micro-CT and X-ray Micro Tomography (XMT) have become increasingly available as an investigative tool within physical sciences. Development of scanning technology has been matched by a rise in computational power and advances in software, reducing the financial and time constraints previously associated with these processes. As a consequence, three-dimensional reconstruction via XMT can now expand from being reserved for one-off samples with known preservation to being a preliminary method of investigation. Palaeobotanical material is often three-dimensionally preserved, and therefore can be well suited to tomographic reconstruction. These reconstructions can serve as an important guide for more traditional (destructive) investigative techniques, such as serial sectioning, enabling the maximum amount of data to be acquired. We report here results from an investigation on the anatomy and morphology of a potential novel Stephanospermum seed from Mazon Creek (USA); using preliminary 3D XMT reconstructions combined with targeted traditional destructive techniques.

Poster:

Spencer et al, 2010, Anatomical 3d X-Ray Micro Tomography reconstructions: Maximising palaeobotanical data capture through preliminary non-destructive techniques. PalAss Annual Meeting
Spencer et al, 2010, Anatomical 3d X-Ray Micro Tomography reconstructions: Maximising palaeobotanical data capture through preliminary non-destructive techniques. PalAss Annual Meeting

PDF

Download (.pdf): PalAss 2010 Poster