Archaeopteryx 3D PDFs

Lawrence M. Witmer, PhD
Professor of Anatomy
Chang Professor of Paleontology

Dept. of Biomedical Sciences
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Life Science Building, Rm 123
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701 USA

Phone: 740 593 9489
Fax: 740 593 2400
Email: witmerL@ohio.edu

Archaeopteryx
3D PDFs

Common Language Summary
3D PDFs of Archaeopteryx. 2011 marks the the 150th anniversary of the discovery and naming of Archaeopteryx lithographica, the iconic feathered fossil from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen limestone of Bavaria, southern Germany. To commemorate this sesquicentennial, we've posted on our Pick-and-Scalpel blog a few times, first to announce the anniversary year, later to discuss the potential phylogenetic change due to a new fossil from China, and finally to announce this web site. Here, we launch (timed to coincide with the exact 150th anniversary of the naming of Archaeopteryx on 30 Sept 1861: see image at right) a small collection of 3D PDFs pertaining to the skull of

Archaeopteryx. All 3D PDFs were generated from microCT scanning of casts in the WitmerLab collection at Ohio University. 3D PDFs allow anyone with even the free Acrobat Reader to interactively manipulate the 3D models that we have generated with powerful software like Avizo. The files can even be saved to your local computer. We provide each 3D PDF in multiple resolutions and files sizes to match your interest and the power of your computer. View our mini-tutorial. Read the blog post about these Archaeopteryx 3D PDFs (linked at right).
• These 3D PDFs are open-access and freely downloadable for educational uses at all levels.
• It's an Archaeopteryx birthday present!

Archaeopteryx cf. A. lithographica JM 2257 (Eichstätt specimen) — skull	Archaeopteryx lithographica BMNH 37001 (London specimen) — braincase

This cast of the skull of the Eichstätt specimen was made by Peter Wellnhofer and provided to Witmer. • Download a 55 MB 3D PDF LARGEST • Download a 27 MB 3D PDF LARGE • Download a 15 MB 3D PDF MEDIUM • Download an 8.2 MB 3D PDF SMALL	This cast of the braincase of the London specimen was purchased from the Natural History Museum. • Download a 28 MB 3D PDF LARGE • Download a 15 MB 3D PDF MEDIUM • Download an 8.1 MB 3D PDF SMALL

Archaeopteryx lithographica (= A. siemensi) HMN 1880/81 (Berlin specimen) — snout	Archaeopteryx lithographica BMNH 37001 (London specimen) — upper jaw fragments

This cast of the skull of the Eichstätt specimen was made by Peter Wellnhofer and provided to Witmer. • Download a 25 MB 3D PDF LARGE • Download a 14 MB 3D PDF MEDIUM • Download a 7.8 MB 3D PDF SMALL	This cast of upper jaw fragments of the London specimen was made by Peter Wellnhofer and provided to Witmer. • Download a 26 MB 3D PDF LARGE • Download a 15 MB 3D PDF MEDIUM • Download an 8.6 MB 3D PDF SMALL

	Archaeopteryx lithographica BMNH 37001 (London specimen) — mystery skull bone

	This cast of an unidentified skull bone was purchased from the Natural History Museum. • Download an 11 MB 3D PDF LARGE • Download a 6.5 MB 3D PDF MEDIUM • Download a 3.9 MB 3D PDF SMALL

This website provides supplementary information as an adjunct to the published paper. Witmer, with the skilled assistance of Ryan Ridgely, is responsible for the content of the website. Content provided here is for educational and research purposes only, and may not be used for any commercial purpose without the permission of L. M. Witmer and other relevant parties.

This project was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation.