KSD-VP-1/1: Analysis of the Postcranial Skeleton Using High-Resolution Computed Tomography

Abstract

The KSD-VP-1/1 partial Australopithecus afarensis skeleton from Woranso-Mille, Ethiopia, provides an excellent opportunity to reconstruct various aspects of the paleobiology of Australopithecus. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan data were collected from each skeletal element. Three-dimensional reconstructions were used to visualize and quantify internal and external anatomical structures. The skeleton was heavily mineralized and preservation of the internal bone structures, such as the endosteal borders of diaphyseal cortical bone and the trabecular structure of the epiphyses was generally poor. The three-dimensional HRCT data also permitted the reconstruction of the pelvic girdle and the fragmented distal femur using rigid transformations of isosurface reconstructions.