Emerging technologies are opening new avenues for the study of past and present ecosystems. Computer-aided visualization and analysis of fossil specimens through X-ray tomography has revolutionized the study of organisms. X-ray tomography, or X-ray computed tomography, is a characterization technique for generating 3D information from 2-dimensional X-ray image slices. X-ray imaging is based on the differential absorption or scattering of an X-ray source to reveal internal attributes of biological specimens.
High-resolution tomography can retrieve compositional and structural information of small objects or the macrostructure of larger objects non-destructively, allowing fossils to be characterized in three dimensions and in unprecedented detail. This has enabled paleontologists to gain important insights into the anatomy, development, and preservation of specimens. The resulting digital 3D reconstructions can be used in functional analyses to test hypotheses regarding the paleobiology of extinct organisms that could transform our understanding of long-studied fossil groups, and the narratives of organismal and ecological evolution. Furthermore, this proliferation of digital datasets should make the widespread sharing and dissemination of 3D data possible, providing access to rare fossil material worldwide.
The aim of this Research Topic is to illustrate the breadth of methodological innovation currently available in X-ray tomography and to provide key examples of the utility of state-of-the-art methodologies used to study different biological forms. We welcome contributions on all aspects of applications of this technology, such as:
• State-of-the-art imaging techniques and their application for e.g., taxonomy, species diversity, and ontogenetic studies;
• Biometric studies;
• Studies on Morphometry, Geometry, Function;
• Novel ecological and evolutionary modeling approaches;
• Novel applications of AI techniques for feature detection in tomographs;
• Databases and their applications.
Emerging technologies are opening new avenues for the study of past and present ecosystems. Computer-aided visualization and analysis of fossil specimens through X-ray tomography has revolutionized the study of organisms. X-ray tomography, or X-ray computed tomography, is a characterization technique for generating 3D information from 2-dimensional X-ray image slices. X-ray imaging is based on the differential absorption or scattering of an X-ray source to reveal internal attributes of biological specimens.
High-resolution tomography can retrieve compositional and structural information of small objects or the macrostructure of larger objects non-destructively, allowing fossils to be characterized in three dimensions and in unprecedented detail. This has enabled paleontologists to gain important insights into the anatomy, development, and preservation of specimens. The resulting digital 3D reconstructions can be used in functional analyses to test hypotheses regarding the paleobiology of extinct organisms that could transform our understanding of long-studied fossil groups, and the narratives of organismal and ecological evolution. Furthermore, this proliferation of digital datasets should make the widespread sharing and dissemination of 3D data possible, providing access to rare fossil material worldwide.
The aim of this Research Topic is to illustrate the breadth of methodological innovation currently available in X-ray tomography and to provide key examples of the utility of state-of-the-art methodologies used to study different biological forms. We welcome contributions on all aspects of applications of this technology, such as:
• State-of-the-art imaging techniques and their application for e.g., taxonomy, species diversity, and ontogenetic studies;
• Biometric studies;
• Studies on Morphometry, Geometry, Function;
• Novel ecological and evolutionary modeling approaches;
• Novel applications of AI techniques for feature detection in tomographs;
• Databases and their applications.
