Over 13,000 Vertebrate Specimens Digitized in Groundbreaking oVert Project

Overview

• The openVertebrate (oVert) project, funded by the National Science Foundation and other grants, has digitized over 13,000 vertebrate specimens, creating a massive online database accessible to researchers, educators, students, and the public.
• This groundbreaking initiative involved collaboration across 25 institutions, taking six years to complete, and aims to enhance scientific discovery by making natural history specimens more accessible.
• The oVert project has led to significant scientific insights, such as the discovery that Spinosaurus was likely a poor swimmer and that frogs have evolved to gain and lose teeth more than any other animal.
• Beyond research, the 3D models have been used in educational settings, museum exhibits, and even virtual reality, demonstrating the project's wide-ranging impact.
• Future developments in machine learning and supercomputing are expected to further unlock the potential of this digital treasure trove of natural history.