X-ray technology reveals a new bone in a very old fish
Researchers at the RVC, University of Cambridge and University of Bristol have found a new bone in the skull of an iconic fossil animal that represents the “missing link” between fish and all land-dwelling vertebrate animals.
Scientists from the RVC’s Structure and Motion Lab applied high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning to several specimens of Eusthenopteron, a prehistoric fish that grew up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length and would have patrolled shallow lagoons 385 million years ago during the Late Devonian period. The work will be published in the leading journal, Paleontology.
‘Computed tomography, anatomical description and three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower jaw of Eusthenopteron foordi Whiteaves, 1881 from the Upper Devonian of Canada’ by Laura B. Porro, Emily J. Rayfield and Jennifer A. Clack in Palaeontology
RVC Press Release: X-ray technology reveals a new bone in a very old fish