Unknown Ichthyosaur / Plesiosaur bone, Lavernock, Wales

[JohnBurrows]

Another unknown piece, but at least with some information on its locale - Lavernock, Wales, UK.

 

I believe it to be either Ichthyosaur or Plesiosaur but I'm afraid I don't currently have an idea what it is. I'd appreciate any input. 

 

Thank you,

John

[Top Trilo]

How big is it? 

[JohnBurrows]

28 minutes ago, Top Trilo said:

How big is it? 

The matrix is 180x72MM, the bone is 167x45MM widest, going down to about 15MM at the end. 

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

I don't think this is bone. The only body part of an ichthyosaur or plesiosaur that could contain a big flat bone would be the skull, and the features here don't match that of a skull bone. Instead, the rough shape of the specimen, as well as the vertical hairline cross-banding remind me of soft-body preserved squids, such as these specimens from Holzmaden (Loligosepia aalensis):

 

Source : Ammonit.ru

 

Source: Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

I know such specimens are occasionally found at Lyme Regis as well (such as the specimens below), but don't know whether this would be possible at Lavernock. Either way, though, it'd be a spectacular find!

 

 

Phragmoteuthids (Loligosepia sp.?) from Lyme Regis. Source: Jurassic Coast Trust (1 & 2)

 

Source: Lyme Regis Museum

[jpc]

squid was my initial reaction as well.  I think it would have to be looked at by someone in the UK who knows squid fossils to be confirmed.