The origin of living reptiles: a new perspective on evolution through paleobiology using multi-resolution PPC-SRμCT scans

Extant reptiles comprise the most diverse group of land vertebrates, but due to an event of rapid radiation, we still do not understand how the major lineages are related to each other. To tackle this long-lasting problem, I aim to examine two new, previously undescribed 3D specimens of Claudiosaurus, a basal, semi-aquatic animal very closely related to living reptiles. As previous attempts to µCT scan them failed, I propose a multi-resolution PPC-SRμCT scan to gain access to its anatomy, dental morphology, and bone histology. The transitional aspect of this animal, both in terms of basal-derived reptile traits and of terrestrial-aquatic environments, makes it an important fossil to understand reptile evolution, phenotypic plasticity, ontogeny, and general paleobiology.