Dear Forum members,
A few years ago I bought this piece from a fellow collector.
The description mentioned that it is probably a Platecarpus sp. atlas and axis vertebrae, Niobrara Fm. Gove Co. Kansas.
I think that this is acutally the supraoccipital, epioccipital, basisphenoid and several other skull parts.
I do not know if this is indeed from a Platecarpus species? if so, which species could this be? I'd like to know whether this piece is Coniacian, Santonian or Campanian in age.
Perhaps the preservation already can point in a direction. the fossils are all very flattened and embedded in a blue-grayish matrix. I think it certainly is the Smoky Hill Chalk, but perhaps this preservation hints to a certain member, layer or unit of that chalk?
In any case, thank you in advance for your answers,
Kind regards,
Sander