STL Files of NMQR 3636: 3D Scans of a Lystrosaurus Perinate Specimen

Three perinate specimens of the dicynodont Lystrosaurus from the Early Triassic of South Africa were examined using high-resolution CT and synchrotron scanning. The dataset contains STL files for specimen NMQR 3636, a 69.8 MB ZIP file published under CC-BY-4.0 by Julien Benoit on figshare. This specimen's unfused jaw symphysis and curled posture suggest it was a pre-hatching embryo, offering a rare glimpse into non-mammalian synapsid reproduction.

Use Cases

• Analyzing embryonic posture and development based on the 3D scan of the curled specimen.
• Studying the evolution of reproductive strategies based on the inferred soft-shelled egg and precocial development.
• Comparing skeletal features like the unfused jaw symphysis to modern amniote embryos.
• Reconstructing the size and morphology of the egg based on the specimen's dimensions.

Strengths

• Data is derived from high-resolution CT and synchrotron scanning, suggesting detailed 3D models.
• The 69.8 MB file size indicates a substantial 3D model dataset.
• Specimen NMQR 3636 is described as a rare example of a non-cynodont synapsid perinate.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• No calcified eggshell is preserved, limiting direct analysis of egg structure.

Provenance

Source

figshare, author Julien Benoit.

Collection Method

High-resolution CT and synchrotron scanning of fossil specimens.

Time Range

Early Triassic.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 17:24:48; freshness should be verified.

Geography

South African Karoo Basin.