Osteologic atlas

The Barcelona Natural History Museum has generated a 3-D osteological atlas of its vertebrate collection. This important collection consists of over 7,000 specimens with preserved bony parts, including disarticulated skeletons, skulls and other bones. It contains for the most part specimens of autochthonous birds and mammals, together with a few specimens of allochthonous species. The 3-D images are generated in the Museum itself or sometimes in other institutions, and all are taken from original specimens.

This on-line catalogue of bones allows the general public to appreciate the great morphological diversity of these specimens, which would otherwise remain hidden. The study and measurement of skeletons enables us to identify the remains of extant animals and fossils, and to undertake anatomical studies and research linked to the evolution of species and their adaptation to the environment. From bones and teeth, a specimen’s age, sex and height can be gauged, as well as some of the pathologies from which it might have suffered. 

This atlas will thus be of great interest for the scientific community, schools and the general public alike, and will be used by palaeontologists, biologists, vets and doctors to study directly some of the species in the Museum’s collection.

Thanks to this Atlas, this material will be now accessible for all.