Bison Vertabra?

[Micah]

Hey all, I found this in a creek in southeast Nebraska today while looking for geodes and although I wasn’t sure at first I’m fairly certain it is at least partially fossilized. (Waiting for it to dry out completely for a more definitive answer on that front). I was pretty sure it was bovid, but am having trouble matching it to a specific vertabra of either modern cow or bison. Since I believe it to be fossilized I thought maybe I should explore other possibilities, but haven’t had any luck. Any input would be appreciated.

[SailingAlongToo]

@Micah

Quick Google search found these.

 

 

Looks pretty close to me.

 

Cheers!

[Micah]

Thanks @SailingAlongToo I’d agree it’s prertty, it’s the minor differences in the shape that have me digging a bit deeper. The vertabra I have seems to be taller and less wide than any of the vertebrae I’ve been able to find images of. Does anyone have enough experience to help me figure out if this is due to which vertebrae it is, if the shape varies between animals, or something else entirely?

[coled18]

Can you post another picture of its side straight on? I can tell you it is definitely a cervical vertebrae from a bovid (probably c4-c5), and I am leaning towards Bison Bison. I need a better side angle to distinguish it from a cow (Bos Taurus). 

[Micah]

@coled18 I know the first side is broken, but I figured I might as well show both sides...

[coled18]

I would say it is a modern bison cervical vertebrae, probably a C7 or from somewhere near the end of the neck. Here is a link to help you in the future https://archive.org/details/syllogeus71nati

[Micah]

Thanks @coled18!

[coled18]

No problem.