Mustelid Humerus

This humerus is from a representative of the Parvorder Mustelida, Family Mustelidae (weasels, skunks, otters, et al.) or Family Procyonidae (raccoons and coatis). This was not a large species -- the bone is about the length of a regular-size cigarette.

One clue to the ID is the canal near the distal end (on left) of the bone. This is the canal traversed by the median nerve and the brachial artery which is called the entepicondylar foramen (EECF).

An EECF is never found on the humerus of perissodactyls (horses, tapirs, et al.) nor on the humerus of artiodactyls (antelopes, camels, et al.), nor is it found in lagomorphs (rabbits and such).

The EECF is absent in hyaenids, bears, and canids (including foxes and chihuahuas).

The EECF is found in didelphids (opossums) and in shrews and moles! (Micro-fossil collectors take note.)

The EECF is present in felids (no cats from this site - probably too early or too many bad bear-dogs!), in viverrids (all Old World), in amphicyonids (bear-dogs), and in mustelids and procyonids.

I think this humerus is from a small mustelid, rather than from a much rarer procyonid. Four mustelids and two procyonids have been identified from this site. I favor mustelid because of the robust muscle attachments on the humerus which suggest powerful digging/grasping forelegs.

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