Mystery Vert

[Khyssa]

This past saturday a friend found this mystery vertebra in the Peace River in Florida. We were with a large group of people, including several who are usually pretty good at identifying the more unusual pieces but this one had them all stumped. The best guess was armadillo but it doesn't quite match up to any of the pictures found online. Does anyone recognise this?

[digit]

No help on the ID from me, sorry. The vert is remarkably well preserved and looks to be complete with all the processes intact (majorly green with envy). Those with good resources at hand should be able to provide a positive ID on something this complete (and well photographed from several angles). A textbook example of how to present an unknown fossil for ID--sharp, clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles.

Cheers.

-Ken

[Opisthotriton]

You are correct about it being an armadillo. As you can see on the anterior side, there is a little process sticking out called the "dens", which shows that it is an axis vertebra (cervical vert #2). From the bottom view, you can see that it's actually three vertebrae fused together (#2-4). The fusion of the first few cervicals is called a syncervical, and it's fairly uncommon in mammals. But armadillos are weird. Great specimen!

[njfossilhunter]

Thats a amazing looking vert .....I love it ..... Congrat's

[jpc]

You are correct about it being an armadillo. As you can see on the anterior side, there is a little process sticking out called the "dens", which shows that it is an axis vertebra (cervical vert #2). From the bottom view, you can see that it's actually three vertebrae fused together (#2-4). The fusion of the first few cervicals is called a syncervical, and it's fairly uncommon in mammals. But armadillos are weird. Great specimen!

Yup on all counts. Triceratops and kin also had syncervical neck verts.

[Khyssa]

Ken, I was sifting only a few feet away from her when she found this vert and I found a small armadillo scute shortly afterwards. We were amazed to see such a well preserved vert pop out of the gravel, particularly since we were in waist deep fast moving water right above a section of the river where a solid rock shelf was at most a foot below the surface. The water got a bit rough right there and I doubt the vert would have survived the trip over the rock intact.

When I'm photographing a fossil I try to take multiple shots of each side in order to get the clearest photos possible. And I am a bit envious of my friends finds from that day too! Not only did she find that fantastic vert she also found the base of a large antler that was also in remarkably good shape.

Thank you for the positive ID! We looked through all of her books and online trying to make a positive identification. She'll be very happy to know for sure what this vert is.