Cretaceous Curiosity

[truceburner]

This strange bit was found (like most of my other finds) in a stream environment in Central Texas. Likely from the Ozan formation. From the end it has a triangular profile, thinning toward the top in these photos. The two largest faces have radial lines from the top. It seems preserved similar to the mosasaur bits I've found, but the triangular shape and radial lines are new to my eyes.

What might this be? Thanks for your time and consideration.

[Auspex]

Sorta' turtle-ish, to my eyes.

[Plax]

mosasaur scapula????

[truceburner]

I thought 'turtle' as well, but I still can't make sense of it. I've never seen a mossy scapula to compare it with - might be time for a trip to the museum. The similarity between the two large flat sides leads me to think this would have been along the centerline of the creature, but I'm guessing at this point. A couple of infilled fossae are visible on one of the flat sides, but they don't appear to run through to the other side.

Would have been a lot more convenient to find the whole thing intact and correctly labeled, but I'll take what I get.

[vertman]

My guess is turtle as well but I am not very confident with that guess.

[Xiphactinus]

Looks turtle to me too.

[RichW9090]

It is a peripheral from a turtle. Most likely a sea turtle.

Rich

Edited August 21, 2013 by RichW9090

[barefootgirl]

turtle

[truceburner]

It is a peripheral from a turtle. Most likely a sea turtle.

Rich

Thanks, all. Rich, I think you nailed it. Found some good information on sea turtle anatomy here, should anyone be interested: http://www.ivis.org/advances/wyneken/8.pdf. Oh, and here: http://www.oceansofkansas.com/turtles.html.

[jpevahouse]

Definitely the outside edge of the bottom plate of a marine turtle. I know because I dug one at a Cretaceous fossil site.