Abstract Understanding ancient organisms and their interactions with paleoenvironments through the study of body fossils is a central tenet paleontology. Advances in digital image capture now allow for efficient accurate documentation, curation, interrogation fossil forms structures two three dimensions, extending from microfossils to larger specimens. Despite these developments, key processing analysis tasks, such as segmentation classification, still require significant user intervention,...

Arachnids are an important group of arthropods. They are: diverse and abundant; a major constituent many terrestrial ecosystems; possess deep extensive fossil record. In recent years number exceptionally preserved arachnid fossils have been investigated using tomography associated techniques, providing valuable insights into their morphology. Here we use X-ray microtomography to reconstruct members two extinct orders. the Haptopoda, demonstrate presence ‘clasp-knife’ chelicerae, our novel...

Fossils provide our only direct window into evolutionary events in the distant past. Incorporating them phylogenetic hypotheses of living clades can help time-calibrate divergences, as well elucidate macroevolutionary dynamics. However, effect fossils have on reconstruction from morphology remains controversial. The consequences explicitly incorporating stratigraphic ages using tip-dated inference are also unclear. Here, we use simulations to evaluate performance methods across different...

Studies of model insects have greatly increased our understanding animal development. Yet, they are limited in scope to this small pool species: a number representatives for hyperdiverse group with highly varied developmental processes. One factor behind narrow is the challenging nature traditional methods study, such as histology and dissection, which can preclude quantitative analysis do not allow development single individual be followed. Here, we use high-resolution X-ray computed...

The basic arrangement of limbs in euarthropods consists a uniramous head appendage followed by series biramous appendages. body is divided into functional units or tagmata which are usually distinguished further differentiation the limbs. living horseshoe crabs remnants much larger diversity aquatic chelicerates. anterior and posterior divisions differ loss outer inner ramus, respectively, an ancestral limb. Here we report new fossil crab from mid-Silurian Lagerstätte Herefordshire, United...

Highlights•A new species of Carboniferous harvestman is described using X-ray microtomography•A total evidence analysis recovers this and a Devonian fossil as stem-Cyphophthalmi•Both are placed in the suborder Tetrophthalmi subordo nov.•Evo-devo extant reveals vestiges lateral eyes observed fossilSummarySuccessfully placing fossils phylogenies integral to understanding tree life. Crown-group Paleozoic members arachnid order Opiliones indicative ancient origins one earliest arthropod...

Abstract Virtual paleontology is the study of fossils through three-dimensional digital visualizations; it represents a powerful and well-established set tools for analysis dissemination fossil data. Techniques are divisible into tomographic (i.e., slice-based) surface-based types. Tomography has long predigital history, but recent explosion virtual resulted primarily from developments in X-ray computed tomography (CT), technologies (e.g., laser scanning). Destructive methods include forms...

This paper serves two roles. First, it acts as an introduction to Blender, open-source computer graphics program, which can be of utility paleontologists. To lessen the software's otherwise steep learning curve, a step-by-step guide create idealized reconstruction fossil in form three-dimensional model or use software render results from ‘virtual paleontology' techniques, is provided online supplemental data file. Second, here we demonstrate Blender with case study on extinct trigonotarbid...

Virtual palaeontology', the study of fossils through medium digital models, is an increasingly important palaeontological technique.The vast majority such work tomographic, based around serial-slice datasets generated either physically or via scanning technologies.There are, however, no general-purpose software packages for tomographic reconstruction that are freely available and tuned to needs data.In addition its value in primary specimens, virtual palaeontology has potential become a...

Whether the structure of ecological communities can exhibit stability over macroevolutionary timescales has long been debated. The similarity independently evolved Anolis lizard on environmentally similar Greater Antillean islands supports notion that community evolution is deterministic. However, a dearth Caribbean fossils--only three have described to date--has precluded direct investigation anole through time. Here we report an additional 17 fossil anoles in Dominican amber dating 15-20...

ABSTRACT The nymphal stages of P alaeozoic insects differ significantly in morphology from those their modern counterparts. Morphological details for some previously reported species have recently been called into question. Palaeozoic insect nymphs are important, however – study could provide key insights the evolution wings, and complete metamorphosis. Here we review past work on these topics juvenile fossil record, then present both novel described nymphs, documented using new imaging...

Sexual differences in size and shape are common across the animal kingdom. The study of sexual dimorphism (SD) can provide insight into sexual- natural-selection pressures experienced by males females different species. Arachnids diverse, comprising over 100,000 species, exhibit some more extreme forms SD kingdom, with species differing dramatically body and/or size. Despite this, research on arachnid has primarily focused specific clades as opposed to observing traits orders, smallest which...

Spiders are an important animal group, with a long history. Details of their origins remain limited, little knowledge stem and no insights into the sequence character acquisition during spider evolution. We describe new fossil arachnid, Idmonarachne brasieri gen. et sp. nov. from Late Carboniferous (Stephanian, ca 305–299 Ma) Montceau-les-Mines, France. It is three-dimensionally preserved within siderite concretion, allowing both laboratory- synchrotron-based phase-contrast computed...

Abstract The terrestrialization of life has profoundly affected the biosphere, geosphere and atmosphere, Geological Magazine published key works charting development our understanding this process. Integral to – featuring in one publications is Devonian Rhynie chert Konservat-Lagerstätte located Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Here we provide a review work on important early terrestrial deposit date. We begin by highlighting contributions note improving Palaeozoic ecosystems. then introduce chert....

Arthropleura is a genus of giant myriapods that ranged from the early Carboniferous to Early Permian, with some individuals attaining lengths >2 m. Although most known fossils are disarticulated and occur primarily in late (Pennsylvanian) strata, we report here partially articulated remains Stainmore Formation (Serpukhovian; Pendleian) Northumberland Basin northern England. This 76 × 36 cm specimen represents part an exuvium notable because only two comparably previously known. It one...

Abstract Sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) are an ancient lineage of chelicerates represented by a single living order, Pantopoda, and patchy fossil record that provides limited information their evolutionary timescale. The sudden appearance Pantopoda in the Middle Jurassic has led several authors to propose recent (Early Jurassic) origin rapid diversification modern pycnogonids. In contrast, molecular clock study suggested originated before Devonian, diversified slowly, though...

A new approach to maximize data recovery from siderite-hosted fossils is presented. Late Carboniferous trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) Coseley, UK, were chosen assess the potential of high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (XMT). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction visualizes animals at 20 µm or better resolution, resolving subtle and previously unseen details. Novel recovered includes (possibly plesiomorphic) retention endites on leg coxae Cryptomartus hindi...

Abstract Computer-aided 3-D reconstruction of fossils, or virtual paleontology, is an increasingly common and powerful technique. It now regularly used for research in yet to date has impacted little on public outreach science communication; however, it ideally suited these purposes, being cheap available, dynamic exciting, applicable a range topics. Here, we provide introduction the field, case study its use engagement event. The steps involved creating such educational resource are...

Arachnids are a highly successful group of land-dwelling arthropods. They major contributors to modern terrestrial ecosystems, and have deep evolutionary history. Whip spiders (Arachnida, Amblypygi), one the smaller arachnid orders with ca. 190 living species. Here we restudy oldest fossil representatives group, Graeophonus anglicus Pocock, 1911 from Late Carboniferous (Duckmantian, 315 Ma) British Middle Coal Measures West Midlands, UK. Using X-ray microtomography, our principal aim was...