A 3D CT dataset of the skull of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis (Reptilia: Testudines) from the Early Cretaceous of western Liaoning of China

Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis is a basal eucryptodires, which is discovered from Early Cretaceous of western Liaoning, and is important for understanding the early evolution of Cryptodira. Four specimens of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis have been reported, but the holotype is lost. Although this four reported specimens have provided us with important information about Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis, problems are still remained in its anatomical details. The inadequate anatomical knowledge of this species in part impedes a good grasp of character evolution of eucrytodires, and then the phylogenetic interrelationships among these taxa is unresolved. The high resolution micro-CT scans is useful for the anatomical and phylogenetic study of this species. This paper provides a dataset of the micro-CT of the fifth specimen of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis (PKUP V1071), including original CT slice images, reconstructed three-dimensional CT models of the skull, animated videos. Data for the skull of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis based on CT scan will contribute to further studies of eucryptodires regarding their morphology and phylogeny. Three-dimensional virtual models of the skull of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis can be 3D printed, with broad applications in research, teaching, and public education.