bthemoose Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Here are two vertebrae that I've found at Calvert Cliffs sites (Miocene exposures) in Maryland in recent weeks. The first I also included in a recent trip report, but am posting it separately here along with some better pictures. Any idea what kind of animal this came from? My first thought was a cetacean/dolphin based on the oval part of the photo in the upper right (which looks sort of like the epiphysis attachment point--though that's probably not the correct term--on another but otherwise different looking cetacean/dolphin vert I found). However, I haven't yet found pictures of any similar verts to this one online. The second vert below I found a few weeks back. I think it may be from a fish but would appreciate confirmation or correction of that. I had trouble getting clear photos of the top (looking down at the "ears") and bottom, but can try again if needed/helpful. It doesn't look to me like there are broken processes on the bottom side but I could be wrong. Thanks for any help with these! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cck Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 I’d go with cetacean thoracic on top, and bony fish on bottom. Maybe others can be more specific? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bthemoose Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 1 hour ago, cck said: I’d go with cetacean thoracic on top, and bony fish on bottom. Maybe others can be more specific? Thanks! Glad to hear I was in the right ballpark on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoreThing Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 11 hours ago, cck said: I’d go with cetacean thoracic on top, and bony fish on bottom. Maybe others can be more specific? I agree with @cck, but I am not 100% sure. Regardless, they are fantastic. As a side note, you are doing a great job with the pictures and sizing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your finds @bthemoose. I'm currently living vicariously through your posts since I have only been down twice since March (I usually try to go twice a month). 2 These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bthemoose Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Thanks, @ShoreThing! It’s a new hobby for me, but one I’m enjoying immensely. Hope you’re able to get out there again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petalodus12 Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Is it possible that the 1st vertebra is a sacral vert? It’s missing the foramina but it does seem oddly similar to a sacral vertebra. Just a slightly educated guess though 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bthemoose Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Thanks for taking a look, @Petalodus12! I had to look up sacral vertebrae and am quickly discovering I have a lot to learn about vertebral regions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petalodus12 Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 14 minutes ago, bthemoose said: Thanks for taking a look, @Petalodus12! I had to look up sacral vertebrae and am quickly discovering I have a lot to learn about vertebral regions! Happy to help. This one has really been confusing me though. If it is a sacral vertebra then it would have to be from a quite young animal, as sacral vertebrae fuse before adulthood. This animal would have been young, as the epiphysis shows (it would be smooth in an adult animal). It could be a caudal vertebra too but I’m honestly not sure. And I’m also not sure what animal its from. Hopefully someone else chimes in with more experience on Calvert stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoreThing Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 15 hours ago, bthemoose said: Thanks, @ShoreThing! It’s a new hobby for me, but one I’m enjoying immensely. Hope you’re able to get out there again soon. Well it looks like you are off to a great start! I have only been enjoying the hobby for about 2 years. I live 2.5 - 3 hours from the cliffs, so when I go I try to make an entire day of it. The heat and tides have kept me away lately. I have a flexible summer schedule and finally put a 2 week hold on my calendar for all but the most critical meetings...so if the heat breaks a bit and the tides cooperate I'll make a trip or two down. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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