Possible Vertebrae

[ANDREW KLINE]

Was just in the Ramanessin Brook today looking for shark teeth and stumbled upon this interesting fossil. I have never seen anything like this. Could it be a possible vertebrae from a marine mammal or late Cretaceous marine species? 

Edited July 6, 2018 by ANDREW KLINE

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

Hi there .. this is a disk associated with the vertebrae ...  A vertebral epiphysis disc.

 

Some info for you.

https://www.fossilguy.com/sites/calvert/calv_vert.htm#cookie

 

Image Credit: www.fossilguy.com

 

[ynot]

Welcome to TFF!

It could be part of one called an "epiphysis" which is found in juvenile mammals.

Additional pictures and a scale would help narrow it down.  (side and back)

[Rockwood]

I think it looks more like a button coral. An image search brings some nice images of Cretaceous age examples from the C + D.

[Tidgy's Dad]

+ 1 for button coral. 

If it's Cretaceous, it's not likely to be a mammal. 

[Rockwood]

15 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

If it's Cretaceous, it's not likely to be a mammal. 

A rugose button is not completely out of the question. Paleozoic fossils thought to be glacial eratics show up occasionally in the brooks. 

[FossilsAnonymous]

I feel like I see those at Calvert all the time.... Gonna have to remember next time I see one....

[Troodon]

Looks more like an epiphysis can you post a photo of the other side and size?

[Rockwood]

6 minutes ago, Troodon said:

Looks more like an epiphysis than button coral.

Do marine reptile vertebrae grow this way ?

[Troodon]

4 minutes ago, Rockwood said:

Do marine reptile vertebrae grow this way ?

The marine mammals I've seen do, see the photo from fossilguy.   We need a picture of the other side to determime what it is.

[ANDREW KLINE]

All seems very interesting! Here’s a picture of the other side to give you more reference. 

[Vieira]

It looks like coral to me...

[Plax]

micrabacia?

Rockwood has it.

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

14 hours ago, Rockwood said:

I think it looks more like a button coral. An image search brings some nice images of Cretaceous age examples from the C + D.

Ooo .. I like the button coral idea .. that backside doesn't look anything like an epiphysis.

[The Jersey Devil]

Definitely not from a marine mammal as it is found in a Cretaceous stream with mostly marine Cretaceous and sometimes terrestrial Pleistocene material. This does look like a Paleozoic coral brought down from the north by a glacier.