Micro-computed tomography scans and virtual histological slides of a recently described land planarian species of Obama otavioi (Platyhelminthes).

We investigated whether images obtained through X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT), can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for morphological studies of soft-bodied land planarians. Among its virtues, CT is non-invasive and provides true to scale three-dimensional imagery at high resolution. We compared these CT-based images with those obtained from light microphotography of histological sections, most of which were also digitizseddigitized at high magnification.
The specimens studied were collected in 2012. Subsequent CT-based images of the stained body of a paratype show nearly all morphological features provided by traditional histology, with the exception of structures particularly minute, 5 m, such as the sensory pits and single muscle fibers, which are best visible on traditional histological sections. Since the technique is non-destructive, the scanned specimen is preserved without damage. The raw and derivative µCT data and virtual histological sections can be found here.