3D techniques and fossil identification: An elephant shrew hemi-mandible from the Malapa site.

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dc.citation.doi10.4102/sajs.v107i11/12.583en_ZA
dc.citation.issue11/12en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVal, A.
dc.contributor.authorCarlson, K.J
dc.contributor.authorKibii, J.M.
dc.contributor.authorSteininger, C.
dc.contributor.authorChurms, C.
dc.contributor.authorKuhn, B.F.
dc.contributor.authorBerger, L.R.
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-16T13:29:31Z
dc.date.available2016-11-16T13:29:31Z
dc.date.issued2011-11-07
dc.description.abstractConventional methods for extracting fossilised bones from calcified clastic sediments, using air drills or chemical preparations, can damage specimens to the point of rendering them unidentifiable. As an alternative, we tested an in silico approach that extended preparation and identification possibilities beyond those realisable using physical methods, ultimately proving to be crucial in identifying a fragile fossil. Image data from a matrix-encased hemi-mandible of a micromammal that was collected from the Plio-Pleistocene site of Malapa, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, were acquired using microtomography. From the resultant images, a 3D rendering of the fossil was digitally segmented. Diagnostic morphologies were evaluated on the rendering for comparison with extant comparative specimens, positively identifying the specimen as an elephant shrew (Elephantulus sp.). This specimen is the first positively identified micromammal in the Malapa faunal assemblage. Cutting-edge in silico preparation technology provides a novel tool for identifying fossils without endangering bone integrity, as is commonly risked with physical preparation.en_ZA
dc.description.librarianNCS2016.en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationVal, A. et al. 2011. 3D techniques and fossil identification: An elephant shrew hemi-mandible from the Malapa site.South African journal of Science 107 (11/12): Article number 583.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353 (Print)
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489 (Online)
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10539/21449
dc.journal.titleSouth African Journal of Scienceen_ZA
dc.journal.volume107en_ZA
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherAcademy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)en_ZA
dc.rights© 2011. The Authors.Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.en_ZA
dc.subjectcalcificationen_ZA
dc.subjectdata seten_ZA
dc.subjectfossil recorden_ZA
dc.subjectidentification methoden_ZA
dc.subjectpaleoenvironmenten_ZA
dc.subjectPlioceneen_ZA
dc.subjectPliocene-Pleistocene boundaryen_ZA
dc.subjectsediment analysisen_ZA
dc.subjectsmall mammalen_ZA
dc.subjectthree-dimensional modelingen_ZA
dc.subjecttomographyen_ZA
dc.title3D techniques and fossil identification: An elephant shrew hemi-mandible from the Malapa site.en_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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