3D Mussels

They may look like a snot-filled rock, but freshwater mussels are gems. Each mussel filters gallons of water per day, improving our water quality. These watershed wonders are some of the most endangered animals in the world, making them an urgent conservation priority but difficult to study. Our Smithsonian 3D Digitization and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are building a digital library of 3D models from our world class collection of freshwater mussels, improving access to extremely rare species and precious specimens. s.si.edu/3w4iSHk
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Video description: Mussels in the museum’s collection are photographed with a mobile phone, removed from drawers, and rotated in 3D, highlighting their pearly interiors. #Shorts