Systematic comparison and reconstruction of sea urchin (Echinoidea) internal anatomy: a novel approach using magnetic resonance imaging

摘要: Traditional comparative morphological analyses and subsequent three-dimensional reconstructions suffer from a number of drawbacks. This is particularly evident in the case soft tissue studies that are technically demanding, time-consuming, often prone to produce artefacts. These problems can partly be overcome by employing non-invasive, destruction-free imaging techniques, particular micro-computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we employed high-field techniques gather numerous data members major marine invertebrate taxon, sea urchins (Echinoidea). For this model study, 13 14 currently recognized high-ranking subtaxa (orders) group animals were analyzed. Based on acquired datasets, interactive models assembled. Our reveal selected characters even used for phylogenetic inferences urchins, as exemplified differences size shape gastric caecum found Irregularia. The main focus our investigation was explore possibility systematically visualize internal anatomy echinoids obtained various museum collections. We show that, contrast classical preparative procedures, give rapid, access specimens, thus extending range available morphology.