snolly50 Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Please offer any comments as to the ID of this piece. It was acquired years ago from Poland; but it was reportedly quarried at a Cretaceous site, Goulmima, Morocco. The matrix proved to be far too hard for the low powered tools I utilize for prep; so the piece languished in the garage for years. Finally it was shipped to Kris in Tx. Below is the account of his prep travail. As stated, it was labeled "Plesiosaurus, Cretaceous, Goulmima, Morocco." Any conformation or condemnation will be appreciated. I have real trouble visualizing the relationship between the appearance of the "front" and the "back" of the piece. To my eye it is almost as if the "back" represents the imprint of a different string of verts?!? Here is the display side that finally emerged. Here is the "back" side which was partially visible when the piece was received. Thanks for any observations. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msantix Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 That is a beautiful fossil, and the preparation looks amazing! In regards to the identification, at first i thought it looked quite similar to some of the Plesiosaur vertebra's i have seen come out of that locality, however i have seen fossils from the early Mosasaur Tethysaurus Nopcsai that have similar vertebra's. Here is a picture of some vertebra's from Tethysaurus (the size is about right as well) e These are some vertebra's from the Plesiosaur Thililua Longicollis And some other Plesiosaur vertebra's I don't think the fossil in question is from a Pliosaur and i tend to lean towards Tethysaurus due to the size and shape, although a Polycotylid Plesiosaur like Thililua or Manemergus can't be ruled out. Would love to hear other opinions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 @msantix Thank you for your helpful observations. I hope others will opine and follow up on your thoughts. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 @jnoun11 If you have an opportunity, please comment regarding the ID of this piece of Moroccan origin. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnoun11 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 hi snolly 50 this vertebrae belonguing to a thetysaurus nopscai, the round extremity is more squamate than pliosaurs. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259120486_A_baby_mosasauroid_Reptilia_Squamata_from_the_Turonian_of_Morocco_-_Tethysaurus_'junior'_discovered https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248553980_A_new_mosasauroid_Squamata_from_the_Late_Cretaceous_Turonian_of_Morocco 2 The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. Terry Pratchett ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted February 29, 2020 Author Share Posted February 29, 2020 @jnoun11 Thank you so much for your helpful assessment. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now