X-RAY Images Reveal Animal Kingdom's 3D Model Treasure Trove

An international team of researchers from the openVertebrate (oVert) project has completed a significant digitization effort, making available a rich collection of X-ray scans and 3D models of over 13,000 animal species. The 3D animal models, including that of the Mexican bearded lizard and many others, offer a detailed look into the anatomical structures of various species, broadening access for scientists, artists, educators, and the general public. This initiative, led by the Florida Museum's curator of herptology, David Blackburn, minimizes physical handling of specimens while greatly expanding their scientific and educational use.

The oVert project, which involved institutions from around the world, employed computed tomography (CT) scanning to create these models without damaging the specimens. Some models also feature visualizations of soft tissue, enabling in-depth studies of skin, organs, and muscles. The results have steered numerous scientific publications and can be explored on the Florida Museum's website and Sketchfab, with the complete collection accessible on the MorphoSource platform.

You can view a selection of the 3D models on the Florida Museum's website and Sketchfab page. For the full catalog of 13,000 species, visit the MorphoSource website to access the extensive collection of digitalized specimens.

The openVertebrate (oVert) project's success showcases the intersection between technology and natural history conservation, presenting a revolutionary way to study biodiversity. Museums and academic institutions continue to leverage such technologies to preserve and share invaluable natural history collections with a wider audience, fostering both education and research. This initiative provides an unprecedented resource for understanding the complexity of animal forms and functions, potentially inspiring new discoveries in the field of evolutionary biology.