X-ray microtomography (XMT) of fossil brachiopod shell interiors for taxonomy

The ability to see and understand the three−dimensional structure of an investigated object plays a key role in studying fossil remains. All living organisms are formed in threedimensions, but unfortunately fossilization processes often reduce overall shape, making it difficult to gather information about real overall appearance, functionality, and inner structure. Here, using a specimen of the brachiopod Terebratula terebratula we demonstrate a non−destructive technique for exploring the 3−D internal structure of fossil remains. The use of tomography allows the construction of a set of transverse serial sections in the manner used by brachiopod researchers for decades.