Isle of Wight Lizard Vertebra?

[MartynH]

This was found today in the shingle at Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight and the geology is Solent Group so Late Eocene to Early Oligocene. I am aware that lizard jaws have been found here as well as snake vertebrae but this does not look like snake to me so wondered if it might be lizard? Any help to identify would be very much appreciated. Cheers Martyn

[iow673]

Lepisosteus fish, I think  Doesn't look reptilian 

[TXV24]

Hi Martyn, 

 

I think this is the vertebra of a Lepisosteus (Gar) fish as opposed to a lizard. Lepisosteus is one of the large fish that does turn up in the Solent Group alongside Amia and Acipenser, although it seems to be much rarer than the others. It seems to be most abundant in the Headon Hill Formation as opposed to the Bouldnor or Bembridge Limestone Formations, and particularly so in the Totland Bay, Osborne Marls and Fishbourne Members (the latter two exposed at Fort Victoria). 

[jpc]

I agree, gar vert

 

[MartynH]

Thanks all - had not seen this possibility so good to learn something new.