High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids

Russell Garwood; Jason A. Dunlop; Mark D. Sutton

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464

High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids

Russell Garwood, Jason A. Dunlop, Mark D. Sutton

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

A new approach to maximize data recovery from siderite-hosted fossils is presented. Late Carboniferous trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) from Coseley, UK, were chosen to assess the potential of high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (XMT). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction visualizes the animals at 20 μm or better resolution, resolving subtle and previously unseen details. Novel data recovered includes (possibly plesiomorphic) retention of endites on leg coxae of Cryptomartus hindi (Anthracomartidae) and highlights further similarities between this family and the Devonian Palaeocharinidae. Also revealed is a flattened body with robust anterior limbs, implying a hunting stance similar to modern crab spiders (Thomisidae). Eophrynus prestvicii (Eophrynidae) had more gracile limbs but a heavily ornamented body, with newly identified upward-pointing marginal spines on the opisthosoma. Its habitus is comparable with certain modern laniatorid harvestmen (Opiliones). These findings demonstrate the potential of XMT to revolutionize the study of siderite-hosted Coal Measures fossils. © 2009 The Royal Society.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	841-844
Number of pages	3
Journal	Biology letters
Volume	5
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464
Publication status	Published - 23 Dec 2009

Keywords

Coal measures
Computed tomography
Siderite
Trigonotarbida
X-ray micro-tomography

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10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464

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@article{739ca5fce06b41a988b8aedfc50a5e07,

title = "High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids",

abstract = "A new approach to maximize data recovery from siderite-hosted fossils is presented. Late Carboniferous trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) from Coseley, UK, were chosen to assess the potential of high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (XMT). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction visualizes the animals at 20 μm or better resolution, resolving subtle and previously unseen details. Novel data recovered includes (possibly plesiomorphic) retention of endites on leg coxae of Cryptomartus hindi (Anthracomartidae) and highlights further similarities between this family and the Devonian Palaeocharinidae. Also revealed is a flattened body with robust anterior limbs, implying a hunting stance similar to modern crab spiders (Thomisidae). Eophrynus prestvicii (Eophrynidae) had more gracile limbs but a heavily ornamented body, with newly identified upward-pointing marginal spines on the opisthosoma. Its habitus is comparable with certain modern laniatorid harvestmen (Opiliones). These findings demonstrate the potential of XMT to revolutionize the study of siderite-hosted Coal Measures fossils. {\textcopyright} 2009 The Royal Society.",

keywords = "Coal measures, Computed tomography, Siderite, Trigonotarbida, X-ray micro-tomography",

author = "Russell Garwood and Dunlop, {Jason A.} and Sutton, {Mark D.}",

year = "2009",

month = dec,

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doi = "10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

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journal = "Biology letters",

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publisher = "The Royal Society Publishing",

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T1 - High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids

AU - Garwood, Russell

AU - Dunlop, Jason A.

AU - Sutton, Mark D.

PY - 2009/12/23

Y1 - 2009/12/23

N2 - A new approach to maximize data recovery from siderite-hosted fossils is presented. Late Carboniferous trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) from Coseley, UK, were chosen to assess the potential of high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (XMT). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction visualizes the animals at 20 μm or better resolution, resolving subtle and previously unseen details. Novel data recovered includes (possibly plesiomorphic) retention of endites on leg coxae of Cryptomartus hindi (Anthracomartidae) and highlights further similarities between this family and the Devonian Palaeocharinidae. Also revealed is a flattened body with robust anterior limbs, implying a hunting stance similar to modern crab spiders (Thomisidae). Eophrynus prestvicii (Eophrynidae) had more gracile limbs but a heavily ornamented body, with newly identified upward-pointing marginal spines on the opisthosoma. Its habitus is comparable with certain modern laniatorid harvestmen (Opiliones). These findings demonstrate the potential of XMT to revolutionize the study of siderite-hosted Coal Measures fossils. © 2009 The Royal Society.

AB - A new approach to maximize data recovery from siderite-hosted fossils is presented. Late Carboniferous trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) from Coseley, UK, were chosen to assess the potential of high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (XMT). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction visualizes the animals at 20 μm or better resolution, resolving subtle and previously unseen details. Novel data recovered includes (possibly plesiomorphic) retention of endites on leg coxae of Cryptomartus hindi (Anthracomartidae) and highlights further similarities between this family and the Devonian Palaeocharinidae. Also revealed is a flattened body with robust anterior limbs, implying a hunting stance similar to modern crab spiders (Thomisidae). Eophrynus prestvicii (Eophrynidae) had more gracile limbs but a heavily ornamented body, with newly identified upward-pointing marginal spines on the opisthosoma. Its habitus is comparable with certain modern laniatorid harvestmen (Opiliones). These findings demonstrate the potential of XMT to revolutionize the study of siderite-hosted Coal Measures fossils. © 2009 The Royal Society.

KW - Coal measures

KW - Computed tomography

KW - Siderite

KW - Trigonotarbida

KW - X-ray micro-tomography

U2 - 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464

DO - 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0464

M3 - Article

SN - 1744-9561

VL - 5

SP - 841

EP - 844

JO - Biology letters

JF - Biology letters

IS - 6

ER -

High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids

Abstract

Keywords

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