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Siamogale melilutra is a newly discovered fossil otter species from Southwestern China dated to about 6 million years old. At over 100 lbs, it is one of the largest otter species known to science. An international team of scientists, including Dr. Denise Su at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, recovered many specimens of this new species, including a complete cranium. The cranium was flattened through the fossilization process and required digital reconstruction, which took months. Through a collaboration with think[box], the reconstructed cranium was 3D printed. This 3D print of the cranium facilitated comparative analyses with other otter species (both extant and fossil). Dr. Su collaborated with think[box] to improve the resolution of the printed cranium for future research on the functional morphology of the otter. |
