300 Million Year Old Insects Pictured In 3D

New mareacaspica writes with this snippet from Nature: "Researchers have constructed 3D models of two different insects, in their nymph stage by scanning their fossils with a novel technique called X-ray microtomography. They obtained sections, two centimeters long, and from the sections constructed the models. Such fossils of juvenile insects are very rare during that ancient period, and the research could provide a better understanding not only of insects, but also other animals, as the technique develops." Original Paper.

300 Million Year Old Insects Pictured In 3D

[Anne_Nonymous]

Doesn't look a day over 150 million years.

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[WGFCrafty]

That's probably because to be viable fossils they need to be stable from the tike formation is complete until now, otherwise we would be scanning a pile of dust.



I realize you were joking (levity no matter how weak, right?).

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[MaskedSlacker]

You must be great at parties.

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[Tarlus]

You mean you weren't turned on by that?

Found an apt quote, given this thing's appearance

[Empiric]

When you see your likeness, you are pleased. But when you see your images that came into existence before you, which neither die nor become manifest, how much you will have to bear!

--Darwin

Oh wait...

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[wonkey_monkey]

At least he put his name to it.

Is there an ant?

[antdude]

What about an ant? :)

Well...

[Anonymous Coward]

Isn't this just a fantastic conversation-starter!
I, for one, welcome our 300 million year old juvenile insect overlords!
Also, something about hot grits... and in soviet Russia, insects construct 3D models of YOU!

Flat

[egr]

Looks like someone has stepped on it...