The oVert Thematic Collections Network
Project
ID: 000368762
Public
17894 Media
· 10940 Specimens
· Creator: Blackburn, David
· Managed by: David Blackburn , Edward Stanley, Jaimi Gray
The oVert (openVertebrate) Thematic Collection Network (TCN) generated and continues to serve high-resolution digital three-dimensional data for internal anatomy across vertebrate diversity. At a network of digitization centers across the US, we CT-scanned >13,000 fluid-preserved specimens representing >80% of the living genera of vertebrates. This provides broad coverage for exploration and research on all major groups of vertebrates. We have also generated contrast-enhanced scans to reveal soft tissues and organs for many living vertebrate families. This collection of digital imagery and three-dimensional volumes is open for exploration, download, and use to address questions related to the discovery of new species, documenting patterns of anatomical diversity and growth, and testing hypotheses of function and evolution. If you use oVert data in publications presenting research, educational resources, etc., please cite the following paper: Blackburn, D.C., D.M. Boyer, J.A. Gray, J. Winchester, J.M. Bates, S.L. Baumgart, E. Braker, D. Coldren, K.W. Conway, A. Davis Rabosky, N. de la Sancha, C.B. Dillman, J.L. Dunnum, C.M. Early, B.W. Frable, M.W. Gage, J. Hanken, J.A. Maisano, B.D. Marks, K.P. Maslenikov, J.E. McCormack, R.S. Nagesan, G.G. Pandelis, H.L. Prestridge, D.L. Rabosky, Z.S. Randall, M.B. Robbins, L.A. Scheinberg, C.L. Spencer, A.P. Summers, L. Tapanila, C.W. Thompson, L. Tornabene, G.J. Watkins-Colwell, L.J. Welton, the oVert Project Team, and E.L. Stanley. 2024. Increasing the impact of vertebrate scientific collections through 3D-imaging: the openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network. BioScience 74: 169–186. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad120