*MacRae, R. Andrew and Henderson, Charles M., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4.

Bedding-plane assemblages of the Carboniferous conodont assemblage "Scottognathus", originally described in the 1940s, are reconstructed in 3 dimensions (3D) using a computer program. The 3D computer model is based on a plasticine model originally proposed by R.J. Aldridge and others. The original model considered the orientation and relative position of the elements, but did not attempt to accurately represent the distance between the elements, and used a photographic (perspective) projection. The computer model has the following advantages: 1) testing new hypotheses is fast and simple; 2) the model approximates the orientation, size, shape, and relative position of the elements using a "real world" scale; and 3) an orthographic projection better models the "flattening" of the bedding-plane assemblage.

After several interesting refinements, the final computer model makes accurate predictions of the geometry of the bedding-plane assemblages and is also used to compare with the assemblage and soft-bodied preservation of the Granton conodont animal. The arrangement of the elements is very closely packed in the bedding plane assemblages, and leaves little space between the ramiform elements, possibly indicating they operated in an integrated fashion. Compared to the Granton conodont animal, the "Scottognathus" assemblage was at least twice as large, possibly indicating an equivalent scaling in body size. More sophisticated models could be used to make predictions about the function of the conodont apparatus, as well as being useful tools for reconstructing conodont assemblages without known bedding-plane assemblages.