CT data and 3D models of phocoenid periotic and bony labyrinth (CCNHM 1913)
Data files
Nov 10, 2025 version files 2.17 GB
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CCNHM_1913_tiffs.zip
1.86 GB
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CCNHM1913_bonylabyrinth.stl
116.47 MB
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CCNHM1913wholeperiotic.stl
191.19 MB
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Geometry_Report__Geometry_.txt
1.09 KB
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README.md
1.92 KB
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Techniques-Geometry.txt
1.52 KB
Abstract
High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan data and 3D digital model of the periotic bone from phocoenid (porpoise) fossil specimen CCNHM 1913, and 3D digital model of bony labyrinth extracted from the interior of the periotic. The dataset includes raw CT scan images (TIFF stack) with scanning parameters and voxel size information, plus processed 3D models of the complete periotic and isolated bony labyrinth in STL format. The periotic bone houses the inner ear structures critical for understanding hearing capabilities, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary adaptations in cetacean fossils. These digital models enable detailed morphometric analyses and comparative studies without handling the original specimen, supporting research in marine mammal evolution, echolocation, and inner ear morphology.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.fttdz0967
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset contains CT scan data and 3D models of the periotic bone from the porpoise fossil CCNHM 1913. The periotic bone houses the inner ear structures in cetaceans and is critical for understanding hearing capabilities, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary adaptations. The TIFF image stack contains the CT data obtained using the North Star Imaging (NSI) CT scanner located at Vanderbilt University Earth and Environmental Sciences. The TIFF stack was derived from the original NSI format using the proprietary NSI software. Using VGStudioMax, a 3D model was segmented and extracted of the complete periotic bone, and further refined in Meshlab to isolate the periotic bone by removing extraneous mesh components. Avizo was used to generate (segment) the 3D model of the bony labyrinth (the cavity within the periotic that contained the inner ear structures).
Files and variables
File: CCNHM1913_bonylabyrinth.stl
Description: 3D surface model of the bony labyrinth (inner ear cavity) extracted from within the periotic bone, in STL format. Suitable for 3D visualization and morphometric analysis.
File: CCNHM1913wholeperiotic.stl
Description: 3D surface model of the complete periotic bone in STL format. Can be opened in standard 3D software (MeshLab, Blender, etc.).
File: CCNHM_1913_tiffs.zip
Description: TIFF image stack of CT scan data, including geometry details and scanning parameters (Techniques-Geometry.txt and Geometry_Report__Geometry_.txt respectively). The images can be processed in ImageJ, Fiji, 3DSlicer, Dragonfly, or other imaging software.
Code/software
Compatible with standard 3D visualization and CT imaging software.