Estudio y caracterización en 3d del esqueleto del Pigargo Europeo (Haliaeetus Albicilla)

Abstract

The use of 3D models in teaching and veterinary medicine has increased during the last years, proving to be very useful in the understanding of anatomy. In the fields of protection and conservation of birds of prey, knowing the specific osteology of each species is vital for the identification of skeletal remains and population control, being 3D modeling a useful tool to carry out this purpose. The aim of this study was to obtain a series of virtual and physical 3D models to characterize the skeleton of the White-Tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), an endangered bird of prey species recently reintroduced in Spain, as a way of exploring new ways of improving and innovating education and wildlife conservation. Indeed, virtual and physical 3D models can be used for teaching and learning anatomy both in person and remotely. On the other hand, the characterization of each bone allows a better understanding of this species and can also be used as a tool for the identification of skeletal remains. To obtain virtual anatomical models, two specimens of White-Tailed eagle were studied and two 3D modeling techniques were employed: on the one hand, a structured light scanner and on the other, the 3D Slicer Software to segment DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images obtained by CT (Computed Axial Tomography). Both techniques resulted in virtual 3D models of each bone of interest in .STL format that were uploaded to the Sketchfab platform (https://sketchfab.com/) for visualization, including landmarks and measurements of each bone. Those same measurements were taken again on one of the specimens by hand, with a digital caliper, to compare the measurement tools as well as the accuracy of the 3D model. In addition to the virtual models, physical 3D printed models of the bones of one of the specimens were obtained. This work helped understanding the usefulness of 3D virtual and printed models in teaching and learning anatomy, their possible use in conservation of endangered species, as well as it served to compare two 3D modeling techniques and to characterize the skeleton of a new species of bird of prey in Spain.