Pathology on Spinosaur Vert ID Help Injury? Abscess?

[jikohr]

Hi Everyone!

 

I acquired this Kem Kem gem a few months ago. I'm pretty certain that it's a Spinosaurid Caudal, which would have been really cool by itself since it's one of the better ones I've seen, but what really sticks out (or in) is a very large unique looking hole on one side. The bone is about 9.6 cm long and hole by itself is roughly 3.5 x 2.7 cm wide and 1.3 cm deep. Damage on Kem Kem material isn't uncommon, but the bone surface flows into the hole as if it was made before fossilization. The big question I have (aside from a second opinion that I'm not just seeing something much cooler than what is there), is pre or post mortem and potential causes.

 

I don't think it's a bite mark. While I have seen really big Spino teeth with that cross section there isn't any damage to the other side and I feel like a tooth that size would punch a hole straight through the bone rather than just leave a 1.3 cm deep hole. Same with potential injury from a large spike of some sort. I don't think it's cancer since there's no excess growth.

 

The main thing that comes to my mind is a really nasty infection with a large abscess, potentially caused by a minor injury that got infected (Spinos loved swimming in some nasty swamps after all). But as with any claim like that it's pretty important to seek out a second opinion.

 

So what do you all think? Any insight is appreciated as always!

[FB003]

I think the best you can do is call it damage. Not sure there is any substance to justify calling it anything else, accurately. It's definitely a very nice piece anyone would be happy to have (I know I would!) but I don't think there is enough there to say what the hole is or is not. Just my two cents.

[TyBoy]

Agree not much evidence to support any conclusions.