Mike from North Queensland Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 I have been quiet for a while but, sifting through some matrix from the cretaceous of central Queensland Australia I have come across some small fragments that I suspect to be bits of either a spine (spike) or bone. The bit that has me thrown is there is a distinct grain (striations) appearance on the outer surface that has thrown me. This was found in the same batch as the tarsal so could be a clue or a red herring. Photos of top and underside as well as an end view. Any suggestions appreciated. Tarsel 4.5 mm - longest unknown bit in two sections 18 mm so not large Mike D'Arcy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Your fragments look like bone and look hollow are they. Matrix is in the way?. What is the significance of the phalanx in the last photo? What is typically found in the area is it terrestrial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike from North Queensland Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 Troodon the bone would have been hollow and the environment is marine being mostly fish, shark and marine reptile. The phalanx photo had been added as it will be from a bird as it is the exception for what is typically found in and the bone material does not match the the typical marine material. What has me confused is the surface texture of the hollow bone material if that is what it is as this was removed from the matrix as the half bits seen. My only thought was perhaps an old adult that no longer is growing, so wondering if any one else has seen a similar specimen if the bits are actually bone. So in essence I am look for consensus for either bone or another option. Mike D'Arcy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 I can not help with an ID, but the texture looks much like the texture of some shark or ray spines that I have seen. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankh8147 Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Looks very much like a fish spine to me also. Besides the preservation, it looks identical to some I have found in New Jersey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anomotodon Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 I also think that the first one is a dorsal fin spine. I think it is from a hybodont. Cretaceous dorsal fin spines are usually from hybodonts, chimaeras or Heterodontus (pics in the same order). Hybodonts have ornamentation on the spine, while chimaeras don't. And Heterodontus spines are enamelous and shiny. The Tooth Fairy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike from North Queensland Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 I have found hybondont at the same quarry before and will search and have a close look at the specimens. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anomotodon Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 25 minutes ago, Mike from North Queensland said: I have found hybondont at the same quarry before and will search and have a close look at the specimens. Mike I think this is a chimaera. I recognized I used a wrong picture for the hybodont spine - they usually have spikes in alternating rows, while chimaeras have two like on this picture. Below is a normal hybodont spine. The Tooth Fairy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Still looks like bone to me especially because it's smooth surface and roundish. Could be a bird bone since you found what appears to be a bird phalnax. Preservation looks similiar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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