Application of modern tomographic imaging methods for the investigation of the internal anatomy of mysticete periotica and the evolution of low frequency hearing in baleen whales

• Applicant: Professor Dr. John Banhart
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2012 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231474319

In this project x-ray and neutron tomography will be used to investigate non-destructively the internal anatomy of ears (mysticete periotica) in fossils of baleen whales (in cooperation with the DFG-application: The internal anatomy of mysticete periotica and the evolution and development of low frequency hearing in baleen whales).Our aim is to develop and optimise tomographic methods in order to obtain biometric data about the baleen whales ear´s anatomy which will be analysed with the help of palaeontologists for getting deep insights into the evolution and development of low-frequency hearing. Biometric parameters will be identified with the 3D images that are characteristic for the specimen and that can be used for a thorough description of the ear geometry. Special software will be implemented that extracts complex biometric data. The obtained data will be provided to palaeontologists for further analysis.The complementary use of different imaging techniques based on neutrons and x-rays will contribute to enhance image contrast and to obtain additional structural information from large samples that allows for the extraction of relevant anatomical features which are hardly accessible by conventional tomographic methods. A general aim of the project is to investigate the applicability of novel imaging methods like laminography (in case of large samples) and phasecontrast tomography (in case of weak contrast) in the research of paleontological objects. These could strongly influence future research on this field and could strength the future collaboration between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and the Technical University Berlin.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants