A curious short bone

[Shellseeker]

I was hunting yesterday and post a trip report:

https://www.thefossilforum.com/topic/138017-peace-river-hunt/

 

I did not think I had anything that I either needed or could ask for an ID,  but then this bone "talked" to me. It seems that it is not a long bone, but mostly complete (96%) and about a size to be interesting.. 

That means there is a reasonable chance some TFF member will recognize. It could be a toe bone like a metapodial, tarsal, carpal, of a pretty large animal like Sloth or Rhino. At 1st I thought it might be a Calcaneum but a Jaguar Calcaneum which I found is much larger. I have also seen similarities to Sea Turtle or Dolphin humerus...

So it could be a lot of things.  I'll have a long time tracking each possibility down.  

It is from an mammal or reptile that lived and died near the Peace River.  I hope some members can eliminate some of the possibilities.

Top:

Bottom (opposite to top)

Left side

Right side

 

Left end

 

Right end

 

Help greatly appreciated. As the topic implies... a curious short bone

[Shellseeker]

After checking possibilities, I am thinking it may be a calcaneum...

Just working on size and shape of Calcaneum from Peace River fauna:

 

Let me preface by, I do not think it is horse, either Equus or Tridactyl.  I do however think the best match might be Calcaneum.

[Baking Geologist]

I just want to say that is amazing stuff there in Florida and I’m also reminded why I focus on invertebrates.  I would have not imagined that bone as from a horse relative.  

[Shellseeker]

2 hours ago, Baking Geologist said:

I just want to say that is amazing stuff there in Florida and I’m also reminded why I focus on invertebrates.  I would have not imagined that bone as from a horse relative.  

I agree. It is just amazing !!

Horse, Rhino, and Tapirs are all Perissodyctals.. I have looked at the species that occur in the Peace River and none is a good enough fit.

Now I am looking at Armadillos and Glyptodonts and I also note that human heel bones look very similar... but once again , no Eureka moment.... yet!!

[Harry Pristis]

equus horse calcaneum

 

[Balance]

Dang! First instinct was Equus Calcaneum. Been playing with one I just got too. 
 

very cool, Gentlemen 

 

Jp

[Shellseeker]

1 hour ago, Harry Pristis said:

equus horse calcaneum

So, I looked at these same examples and noted that mine was missing almost all of the clear articulation surfaces and is only 67 mm in length... Do you have a size range on those in your collection ?

Not that I have been able to find anything else,  but that side by side with the Neohipparion at 85mm  does not seem conclusive. You are excellent at Florida bones and I go with your instincts.

[Harry Pristis]

Certainly, Jack, there is individual variation in equus horse bones.  Add to that the fact that your find is severely worn.  It also appears to be missing the epiphysis on the shaft.

[Balance]

Jack, 

 

Thats exactly why i balked. No articulating surface to confirm. Plus I’m totally lacking confidence. 

 

Here are the Calcaneum I were measuring for my Equus project. I ended up using the middle sized Calcaneum because it articulated perfectly with Harry’s astragalus. My limb/s seems to be a perfect size compared to a smaller size horse or large pony. 
 

Not only would standard deviation apply to the size ranges of the species there would also be juveniles under age 2 who haven’t fused completely and are constantly changing size until that 18 month - 26month range. 
 

Jp