title: Applying microCT and 3D visualization to Jurassic silicified conifer seed cones: A virtual advantage over thin-sectioning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As an alternative to conventional thin-sectioning, which destroys fossil material, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (also called microtomography or microCT) integrated with scientific visualization, three-dimensional (3D) image segmentation, size analysis, and computer animation is explored as a nondestructive method of imaging the internal anatomy of 150-million-year-old conifer seed cones from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, USA, and of recent and other fossil cones. •
  
  
  METHODS
  MicroCT was carried out on cones using a General Electric phoenix v|tome|x s 240D, and resulting projections were processed with visualization software to produce image stacks of serial single sections for two-dimensional (2D) visualization, 3D segmented reconstructions with targeted structures in color, and computer animations. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  If preserved in differing densities, microCT produced images of internal fossil tissues that showed important characters such as seed phyllotaxy or number of seeds per cone scale. Color segmentation of deeply embedded seeds highlighted the arrangement of seeds in spirals. MicroCT of recent cones was even more effective. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first paper on microCT integrated with 3D segmentation and computer animation applied to silicified seed cones, which resulted in excellent 2D serial sections and segmented 3D reconstructions, revealing features requisite to cone identification and understanding of strobilus construction.
authors.affiliation: Steinmann Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Paleontology, Division of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Carole T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gee
keywords: Araucaria; Late Jurassic Morrison Formation; Pinaceae; paleobotany; phyllotaxy; three-dimensional image segmentation