Deep within the dusty archives of natural history museums worldwide lies a collection of rare species gathered over centuries, yet unseen by the public eye. However, a new initiative is changing that, making over 13,000 specimens digitally accessible to all.
Over the past five years, the oVert collaboration, consisting of 18 institutions, has produced an impressive array of 3D reconstructions of vertebrate specimens. This involved conducting numerous CT scans of various vertebrate species in the collection, including amphibians, reptiles, fish, and mammals. Even a humpback whale was meticulously scanned to create a detailed 3D model.
This innovative approach not only expands research opportunities for scientists and researchers but also benefits educators and artists, who can utilize these resources to create accurate models of a wide range of species.
Scientists have already begun using data from the oVert project to uncover fascinating insights about the natural world, with the potential for even more discoveries as technology advances.
types of fish
Specimens (such as these different types of fish), once restricted to scientists studying them, are now available to everyone as 3D models. Photo credit: openVertebrate
Frog vestibular system
Vestibular system of pumpkin toad (brachycephalic animal) is the smallest vertebrate ever observed. Still, they take up proportionately more space in their heads than larger creatures, making them less able to balance while jumping. Photo credit: openVertebrate
Incredibly detailed animal scans
Scanned image of Hosmer spiny dragon (Egernia hosmeri) indicates the level of detail revealed in these animal scans. Photo credit: openVertebrate
structure hidden inside
CT scans allow scientists to study the internal anatomy of a specimen without dissecting it. This image of a hedgehog is a good example. Photo credit: openVertebrate
centipede too far
Using the oVert system, researchers were able to perform a digital dissection of a rimrock-crowned snake (Tantilla's politics) – North America's rarest snake. This individual died while trying to eat a centipede. Photo credit: openVertebrate
unprecedented diversity
The main goal of the oVert project is to image as much diversity as possible across the vertebrate tree of life, including fish, reptiles, and mammals. Photo credit: openVertebrate
evolutionary insight
Analysis of the overt specimen revealed that frogs have lost their teeth more than 20 times throughout their evolutionary history, more than any other vertebrate group. Photo credit: openVertebrate
digital museum
On the left, a scientist (Melonycteris melanops). The image on the right shows the same bat after a 3D scan. Photo credit: openVertebrate
frog flowchart
Researchers can use a variety of methods to reconstruct museum specimens as digital 3D models. Photo credit: openVertebrate
Spiny rat osteoderm
One of the researchers was conducting routine CT scans of spiny mice and was surprised to discover that their tails were covered with an internal covering of bone plates called bony plates. Until this discovery, armadillos were thought to be the only living mammals with these structures. Photo credit: openVertebrate
