Neutron-based computed microtomography : Pliobates cataloniae and Barberapithecus huerzeleri as a test-case study
Urciuoli, Alessandro (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Zanolli, Clément (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier)
Fortuny, Josep (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Almécija, Sergio (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Schillinger, Burkhard (Technische Universität München)
Moyà Solà, Salvador (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Alba, David M.. (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)

Data:	2018
Resum:	Objectives- High-resolution imaging of fossils with X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) has become a very powerful tool in paleontological research. However, fossilized bone, embedding matrix, and dental tissues do not always provide a distinct structural signal with X-rays. We demonstrate the benefits of high-resolution neutron radiation in three different specimens showing problematic contrasts with X-ray μCT. Materials and methods- We compare neutron with X-ray μCT scans of fossils from two Miocene catarrhines from the Vallès-Penedès Basin: the cranium (IPS58443. 1, holotype) of the putative stem hominoid Pliobates cataloniae, to discriminate between bone and matrix; and two lower molars (IPS1724n,o, holotype) of Barberapithecus huerzeleri, to discriminate among dental tissues. Results- X-ray μCT scans of these specimens fail to retrieve any contrast between matrix/bone and enamel/dentine, whereas neutron μCT scans deliver high-contrast images, enabling a proper evaluation of the specimens' internal anatomy. Discussion- Low bone/matrix intensity difference with X-ray μCT scans in IPS58443. 1 is due to the extreme similarity in chemical composition between the matrix and the fossilized tissues, and the presence of high-density elements. In IPS1724, it is attributable to the convergence of enamel and dentine compositions during fossilization. On the contrary, neutron radiation returns very different contrasts for different isotopes of the same element and easily penetrates most metals. Neutron-based μCT scans therefore enable a correct definition of the bone/sediment and enamel/dentine interfaces, and hence a better segmentation of the images stack. We conclude that neutron radiation represents a successful alternative for high-resolution µCT of small-sized fossils that are problematic with X-rays.
Ajuts:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL2016-76431-P Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL2017-82654-P
Nota:	Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya
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Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Matèria:	X-rays ; Neutron radiation ; Neutron imaging ; Fossil catarrhines
Publicat a:	American Journal of Biological Anthropology, Vol. 166, Issue 4 (August 2018) , p. 987-993, ISSN 2692-7691

DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23467

Postprint 21 p, 652.3 KB

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Documents de recerca > Documents dels grups de recerca de la UAB > Centres i grups de recerca (producció científica) > Ciències > Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
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