BACKGROUND: Xenopus laevis, the African clawed frog, is a versatile vertebrate model organism in various biological disciplines, prominently in developmental biology to study body plan reorganization during metamorphosis. However, a notable gap exists in the availability of comprehensive datasets encompassing Xenopus' late developmental stages. FINDINGS: This study utilized micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), a noninvasive 3-dimensional (3D) imaging technique with micrometer-scale resolution, to explore the developmental dynamics and morphological changes in Xenopus laevis. Our approach involved generating high-resolution images and computed 3D models of developing Xenopus specimens, spanning from premetamorphosis tadpoles to fully mature adults. This dataset enhances our understanding of vertebrate development and supports various analyses. We conducted a careful examination, analyzing body size, shape, and morphological features, focusing on skeletogenesis, teeth, and organs like the brain and gut at different stages. Our analysis yielded valuable insights into 3D morphological changes during Xenopus' development, documenting details previously unrecorded. These datasets hold the solid potential for further morphological and morphometric analyses, including segmentation of hard and soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Our repository of micro-CT scans represents a significant resource that can enhance our understanding of Xenopus' development and the associated morphological changes in the future. The widespread utility of this amphibian species, coupled with the exceptional quality of our scans, which encompass a comprehensive series of developmental stages, opens up extensive opportunities for their broader research application. Moreover, these scans can be used in virtual reality, 3D printing, and educational contexts, further expanding their value and impact.

Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology 612 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Chemical Engineering Columbia University New York NY 10025 USA and Department of Genetics and Development Columbia Stem Cell Initiative Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY 10032 USA

Department of Experimental Biology Faculty of Science Masaryk University 625 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University 625 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Zoology Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia 370 05 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Institute of Physical Engineering Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Brno University of Technology 616 69 Brno Czech Republic

Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics v v i Czech Academy of Sciences 602 00 Brno Czech Republic

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Unveiling vertebrate development dynamics in frog Xenopus laevis using micro-CT imaging