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Showing results for tags 'pleisotcene'.
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Hey everybody! I've got two bones that I'm looking to ID, and unfortunately neither of them are complete. However, the good news is that they both have enough diagnostic features that I'm optimistic an ID can be made. Here's the first: This first one is a partial limb bone that I found in a river southwest of Houston. The sediments that make up the river bed are from the Beaumont and Lissie Formations and are predominantly Pleistocene in age (although there is the occasional Pliocene/Miocene material that washes down from further upriver). What stands out to me the most on this bone is the giant foramen that seems to connect to a large hollow cavity near the surface that was broken open when the bone was damaged at some point in the past. I can't tell if this is natural or some sort of drainage port that developed because of a pathology like an abscess. @Harry Pristis has several photos of a pathological alligator metapodial that gave me the idea: Half of an articular facet from one end of the bone is fragmented, but still present. It reminds me of the curvature found on the distal end of horse tibias. Unfortunately, it's a little bit difficult to capture it on camera. The only other distinguishing feature of the bone is its flaky surface. It could just be due to the particular way it was preserved, but I don't think I've ever come across another fossil with a similar texture. Here's the second bone: This second bone seems like it should be much easier to identify as it has two very distinctive articular facets preserved. Three foramina are also present, and enough of the long portion of the bone seems remain that it's general shape can be inferred. When I look at it I'm reminded of a calcaneum but after comparing it to horse calcanea (of which I have two), I can't see a match. The same goes for bison and other artiodactyls, even giant armadillos. I'm not sure what else it could be. As always, any help would be much appreciated! I know there are many people on the forum who are much more knowledgeable when it comes to Pleistocene fossils than me, so I'm once again going to ask for their opinions as well. @Shellseeker @garyc @Lorne Ledger @Harry Pristis
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Never seen fossil in my dig sites. Inland Venice, FL. Reddish tint. Longest length is 48mm. Width 33mm. Material from this site has Equus and Sloth fossils. I did find a "whale tooth" within 50 feet of this fossil. I have recovered other whale ear bones that did not look like this one. Thank you in advance for your ID assistance. Regards, Michael