bigworm Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hello, im trying to identify a large fragmented vertabrea I found, I have emailed so many pictures to museums with all info I had, but so far most have said that it's probably bipeodal. there is a lot of marrow or honeycomb structure exposed and a lot of bone surface and my question is this: is there a way to distinguish between carnivors and herbivores through the type of bone structure ( size, shape, direction?) just thinking that two different types of food would produce some sort of difference in bone growth? the bones are from England and roughly 130 myo I'm really hoping there is a way u can tell the difference. Please help thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Pictures, please. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigworm Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hi tim, I put pics on here a few months ago and no one really replied, it is as I say fractions and a large Part of vertebrae ( very crushed) but really I would just like to know if there is a way u can tell the difference in bone structure? Thanks Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaier Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Function determines bone histology more than whether it is carnivore or herbavore. Some bones are light weight and some are dense, depending on what the creature needs. The study of bone growth and structure is called histology. Here's an interesting book, but it cost money. http://muse.jhu.edu/books/9780520955110 But if you just search the internet for histology, you should find some good free reading material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigworm Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Thanks. I will read up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hi tim, I put pics on here a few months ago and no one really replied... Here is a link to the original post: LINK "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
painshill Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 It is sometimes possible to determine herbivorous from carnivorous diet via the histology of post-cranial fossil bones. There is usually at least some kind of indication in the degree and arrangements of vascularization in both the bone cortex and periosteal tissue. But you would struggle to find a reliable relationship outside a family group of animals of similar ages (adult vs juvenile) or between different families because growth rates, lifestyle and other factors may obscure the relationship. But of all the postcranial bones you could pick for examination, vertebrae are down towards the bottom of the list. Where differences exist, they’re usually most apparent in the long bones of the limbs and you need the bones to be sectioned for microscopic examination. Even chemical analysis for mineralogy may not show much difference. Unfossilised carnivore bones usually have a significantly higher lead content than herbivores, but that won’t necessarily hold true for fossil specimens which are mineralized. You’re then into calcium isotope analysis as probably the most reliable methodology. Roger I keep six honest serving-men (they taught me all I knew);Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who [Rudyard Kipling] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaier Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Most of the time it is easier to identify an unknown fossil by abandoning the question of "What is this?" and asking the question of "What lived in my fossil hunting area at this time?" A thorogh study of your zone often leads you to stumbling over the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Tyrannosaurs have a very distinctive texture to the inside of their dorsal vertebral centra. I can't tell from your pix what part of the very you have, and I don't know if that texture continues into the neural arch. It is often described as 'honeycomb' and that is a pretty good description. I would say further that there are large honeycomb holes in there that you could almost fit your pinky into, and the honeycomb walls are very thin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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