A 3D geometric morphometric dataset quantifying skeletal variation in birds

Alexander Bjarnason and Roger Benson

Macroevolution is integral to understanding the patterns of the diversification of life. As the life sciences increasingly use big data approaches, large multivariate datasets are required to test fundamental macroevolutionary hypotheses. In vertebrate evolution, large datasets have been created to quantify morphological variation, largely focusing on particular areas of the skeleton. We provide a landmarking protocol to quantify morphological variation in skeletal elements across the head, trunk, hindlimb and forelimb using 3-dimensional landmarks and semilandmarks, and present a large pan-skeletal database of bird morphology for 149 taxa across avian phylogeny using CT scan data. This large collection of 3D models and geometric morphometric data is open access and can be used in the future for new research, teaching and outreach. The 3D models and CT scans of the 149 specimens related to this project can be downloaded at MorphoSource (https://www.morphosource.org/projects/00000C420) 

Menura novaehollandiae FMNH 336751 View specimen

	M3#561 3D model of the left carpometacarpus of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandia (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.561   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#562 3D model of the mandible of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.562   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#563 3D model of the right coracoid of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.563   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#564 3D model of the right scapula of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.564   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#565 3D model of the right tarsometatarsus of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.565   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#566 3D model of the sternum of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.566   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#567 3D model of the left femur of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.567   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#568 3D model of the skull of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.568   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#569 3D model of the left humerus of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.569   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#570 3D model of the synsacrum of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.570   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#571 3D model of the left radius of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.571   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#572 3D model of the left tibiotarsus of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.572   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#573 3D model of the left ulna of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae (displayed as a mirror image in the 3DHOP viewer). Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.573   state:published	Download 3D surface file