Lizard (Leiocephalus sp.) micro-CT scan. This is the type specimen for this species. Types are the original example against which all descriptions are compared. Types are therefore both scientifically valuable and in demand from researchers wishing to study them. Micro-CT was used to create a virtual copy of this type specimen to help build a digital collection. This image was acquired using X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (also known as micro-CT). A micro-CT scanner projects a beam of X-rays through the sample onto a detector panel. Images are collected over a 36MB0?rotation and these are then reconstructed to form a virtual 3D model of the specimen. This virtual object that can be viewed from all angles and sliced open or digitally dissected. Image by Dan Sykes.