Tapirus terrestris (3D recon, side view)

Tapirus terrestris is one of four living tapir species. Tapirus terrestris ranges from Columbia to northern Argentina, east of the Andes. Tapirs are unique in their development of a prehensile proboscis, which has influenced the size and distribution of their cranial sinuses and turbinate bones. Until the emergence of CT technology, it was impossible to study the anatomy of these internal structures without damaging the skull. This dataset is being studied by Dr. Matthew Colbert, who is working on the cranial morphology and evolutionary relationships among living and fossil tapirs. 3D reconstruction of 412 1.0 mm CT slices, side view. Sample is 41 cm long. Dark gray lines visible on the rear of the skull and on the snout are the tape used to hold the skull together during scanning. (Sample courtesy of the Texas Memorial Museum and Dr. Matthew Colbert, University of Texas at Austin).

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