Virtual Paleontology
Tomographic Techniques For Studying Fossil Echinoderms

Review of tomographic methods and techniques to visualize and understand fossil echinoderms.

Jennifer E. Bauer (Author), Imran A. Rahman (Author)

9781108794763, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 November 2021

75 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 0.3 cm, 0.076 kg

Imaging and visualizing fossils in three dimensions with tomography is a powerful approach in paleontology. Here, the authors introduce select destructive and non-destructive tomographic techniques that are routinely applied to fossils and review how this work has improved our understanding of the anatomy, function, taphonomy, and phylogeny of fossil echinoderms. Building on this, this Element discusses how new imaging and computational methods have great promise for addressing long-standing paleobiological questions. Future efforts to improve the accessibility of the data underlying this work will be key for realizing the potential of this virtual world of paleontology.

1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Anatomy and Function
4. Taphonomy
5. Phylogeny
6. Current Perspectives and Future Developments
7. Conclusions
References.

Subject Areas: Palaeontology [RBX], Evolution [PSAJ], Life sciences: general issues [PSA], Biology, life sciences [PS]