Boyer diss 2009 1046..

Methods of examination and documentation
Methods of microscopic examination, photographic documentation and
measurement follow Chapter 2.
All externally visible morphological structures pertinent to the description are
labeled on the figures. Bones are identified with abbreviations (see Table 3.2). Other
features are labeled with numbers (Table 3.1). Italicized numbers following figure
citations in the description section correspond to labels on the morphology depicted in
some or all of the cited figures. Table 3.1 is a list of features corresponding to the labels
in the figures.
High resolution x-ray computed tomography (HRxCT) data were acquired from
Pennsylvania State University (data available upon request) for UM 87990. The original
scan consisted of 1435 slices spaced at 0.0614 mm, each slice having a pixel resolution of
0.0527 mm. During the scan, the specimen was embedded in florist foam to hold it in
place (see Appendix Table 2.1). Additionally, the florist foam was saturated with water,
which constituted a wedge to help improve contrast between matrix and bone. These
data were visualized with the software Amira 4.1.2-1 and Image J and assisted in
description of internal morphology. HRxCT data was particularly important for verifying
identifications of various foramina.
Measurements and analysis
Various measurements were taken using digital calipers, digital photographs,
camera lucida drawings and bone reconstructions from scan imagery (Tables 2.3-5).
Measurements of foramina are accurate to at least a twentieth of a millimeter. Other
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