TheClawGuy Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) With the recently published Dakotaraptor out of the Hell Creek once unknown, undescribed or misidentified fossils might turn out to be hidden gems. Most people on the forums and in the fossil community know Henry for his amazing eye and knowledge for tough identifications as well as his top notch prep work so when I got a message from him a couple weeks back, I was quite the happy camper. Henry decided to take a look at one of his previously identified Tyrannosaurid hand claws from the Hell Creek and noticed its features matched a Dromaeosaurid hand claw instead but this claw was much more robust than Acheroraptor claws. Comparing it side by side to other Dromaeosaurid hand claws and next to one of his hand claws believed to be Acheroraptor, this claw stood out and aligned to match features of a larger dinosaur. The only issue from a strong identification is the size. It measures roughly 2" end to end which doesn't change anything because this may only be the result of it being a juvenile or sub-adult. If this was an adult claw measuring 5-7", this would almost be a no brainer. After some begging on my behalf haha, a deal was struck to pass the claw over to me. I contacted Robert DePalma who described the Dakotaraptor who agreed with Henry that it was a Dromaeosaurid hand claw and for how robust it is, he thinks that Dakotaraptor is more likely than one of the other raptor taxa. Another fact we all agreed on is without a skeleton that unites diagnostic characteristics, this claw will still be considered "indeterminate". But let this be an example of potential hidden gems you might have in your collection! I have attached number out photos and side by side comparisons Edited December 5, 2015 by TheClawGuy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClawGuy Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 Top and bottom view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClawGuy Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 Straight on front and back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClawGuy Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) Side by side to an Acheroraptor claw Edited December 5, 2015 by TheClawGuy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClawGuy Posted December 13, 2015 Author Share Posted December 13, 2015 Input anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 *Necromancer casts revive spell* Woah, that's one helluva claw! Has there been any updates for this fella? Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-fossils Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 That's a cool piece! @Troodon will likely be a good asset to you for this one Max Derème "I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day." - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier Instagram: @world_of_fossils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I've seen the claw and its a possible Juvie Dakotaraptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now