Harry Pristis Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Ear bones have never been my favorite thing. And, that's a good thing 'cause - except for mysticete whale bullae in some locations - ear bones are hard to find. Here's one I've had for a long time. I have always thought of this as an ear bone of Zygorhiza, an archaeocete whale; but, I have no confirmation of that. The bone is in three pieces, broken along old cracks judging by the stains. It may have broken in my collecting bag - I don't remember. The broken surfaces reveals a dense, white, glassy material. Anyway, the interior is so surprising, and the cross-section of the bone is so interesting, that I have never glued it back together. I thought I'd share some images, and maybe someone here will recognize the bone. 2 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkbyte Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 That is awesome and like you, I would not glue this back together because the break shows so much mechanics/anatomy. Bobby "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Confucius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharks of SC Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Looks like a periodic of sorts to me, but Im unfamiliar with eocene material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Harry, Whenever I have a true unknown, I search TFF and the internet for photos that resemble. I am wondering of you had success in identifying the "whale ear bone" over the years. Certainly I do not have Eocene deposits, but I am finding some odd whale materials at this Miocene site. Anyway, Approciate your thoughts on this find (approximately 2.5x2.5x1.5 inches. The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 I do not see an ear here. I do see what maybe a skull fragment, possibly from the back area. Not an expert on bones though so wait for more opinions. Tony Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Thanks, Ynot. I would just be happy with any ID.. In hot pursuit.... I also see the seemingly skull connection, but that would also help me to understand this odd protrusion from the skull. It is a win-win situation The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 A couple of more photos, showing width and possible skull attachment. The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 OK, I can see it as that type of ear bone. Tony Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Good question - archaeocete petrosals look quite a bit different from Mio-Pliocene odontocetes and mysticetes. I've attached a figure of the petrosal of Basilosaurus isis, and an isolated early Eocene sirenian petrosal. Harry - your petrosals/periotics look much more like a sirenian, as it seems to include a cochlea but lack distinct anterior/posterior processes. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Bobby, I may have a Baleen ear bone from what I see in the fossil and internet.http://coastalpaleo.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html. I have also found some Baleen jawbone at this site. I am a little surprised at the small size of the fossil. 2 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 2 hours ago, Boesse said: Good question - archaeocete petrosals look quite a bit different from Mio-Pliocene odontocetes and mysticetes. I've attached a figure of the petrosal of Basilosaurus isis, and an isolated early Eocene sirenian petrosal. Harry - your petrosals/periotics look much more like a sirenian, as it seems to include a cochlea but lack distinct anterior/posterior processes. Thank you, Bobby, for the identification of my fractured ear bone. To answer Jack's question, No, I haven't given this bone any thought subsequent to posting this thread in 2012. I am pleased to have it revived. 1 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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