Data from: Applications of three-dimensional box modeling to paleontological functional analysis

Functional analysis through computer modeling can inform on how extinct
organisms moved and fed, allowing us to test long-standing paleobiological
hypotheses. Many such studies are based on digital models derived from
computed tomography or surface scanning, but these methods are not
appropriate for all fossils. Here, we show that box modeling—3-D modeling
of complex shapes based on simple objects—can be used to reconstruct the
morphology of various fossil specimens. Moreover, the results of
computational functional analyses utilizing such models are very similar
to those for models derived from tomographic or surface-based techniques.
Box modeling is more broadly applicable than alternative methods for
digitizing specimens; hence, there is great potential for this approach in
paleontological functional analysis. Possible applications include
large-scale comparative studies, analyses of hypothetical morphologies,
and virtually restoring incomplete/distorted specimens.