X-ray computed tomography library of shark anatomy and lower jaw surface models

• DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2017.47
• Publication Date: 2017-04-11T13:21:48Z
• Authors: Pepijn Kamminga; Paul W. De Bruin; Jacob Geleijns; Martin D. Brazeau
• Keywords: Statistics and Probability; 0301 basic medicine; 570; Data Descriptor; Adaptation, Biological; Library and Information Sciences; Education; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; 14. Life underwater; Adaptation; Tomography; 560; Science & Technology; Feeding Behavior; Biological; Biological Evolution; X-Ray Computed; Computer Science Applications; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Jaw; Sharks; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Information Systems

AbstractThe cranial diversity of sharks reflects disparate biomechanical adaptations to feeding. In order to be able to investigate and better understand the ecomorphology of extant shark feeding systems, we created a x-ray computed tomography (CT) library of shark cranial anatomy with three-dimensional (3D) lower jaw reconstructions. This is used to examine and quantify lower jaw disparity in extant shark species in a separate study. The library is divided in a dataset comprised of medical CT scans of 122 sharks (Selachimorpha, Chondrichthyes) representing 73 extant species, including digitized morphology of entire shark specimens. This CT dataset and additional data provided by other researchers was used to reconstruct a second dataset containing 3D models of the left lower jaw for 153 individuals representing 94 extant shark species. These datasets form an extensive anatomical record of shark skeletal anatomy, necessary for comparative morphological, biomechanical, ecological and phylogenetic studies.