Associated Mosasaur Collection

[-AnThOnY-]

Hey all, figured I would share the past 8-9 months of mosasaur collecting for me (which is 98% of my mosasaur collection). I have in that time period come across 4 different mosasaur associations. 3 from the Demopolis Chalk of the Starkville area and one in the Prairie Bluff Chalk.

The first is one that I posted in the past (that I haven't made any progress on yet), not much patience for prep work . Plus I know the stuff that is present is in poor shape so motivation is lacking. Will get there eventually!

http://www.thefossil...y-pet-mosasaur/

Found with this first one was:

• 15-17 vertebrae
  
• 15-16 teeth, ranging in size from close to 2" down to 3/8", one still in a section of jaw
  
• a few random bones, broken ribs, a couple small flipper bones
  
• possible disarticulated skull in a large block that I haven't even touched yet
  

The second association I came across was from the Prairie Bluff Chalk, this is the smallest associated I have but I figured I would post it anyway. Its just two vertebrae and a tooth with the largest root I have come across, too bad the tooth was separated from the root.

The third set I found is a set of associated tail vertebrae and one tooth, was pretty late in getting to these ones but still very happy with the find.

The fourth was found yesterday morning and rivals if not bests the first one I found. Will be waiting for more rain to get back and make sure I got all I could. I didn't want to destroy anything by blindly digging. I have prepped two pieces of this set, which are pictured below (pic 5) but still have more to do (these are funner to prep since they are in a lot better condition than the first one I found). What I found so far includes:

• 25 vertebrae
  
• 7 teeth, small compared to all others, one in matrix that needs to be stabilized before removal and it still has root
  
• 4 sections of jaw bone (5 pictured but 2 of them fit together and are now glued)
  
• 2 bones that I am waiting ID on, look like ear bones to me
  
• 15 1-2" rib fragments
  
• An oddball bone that I can't place anywhere from skeletons I have looked at
  

Thanks for looking, and let me know if you know what the unknown "ear bones" (pic 6) and other odd bone (pics 7-9) is.

edit: got positive ID on the two unknown bones. The items in picture 6 are indeed quadrates, and the item in pictures 7-9 is the atlas intercentrum of the first vertebrae in the neck.

Anthony

Edited June 25, 2012 by -AnThOnY-

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Where is the LIKE button on this thing?

[JohnJ]

Really nice finds, Anthony. Not sure about the "ear bones"; they don't look quite right for quadrates. Since you found a few cervical vertebrae, you might compare your "odd bone" to one of the four bones that make up the atlas complex. Best of luck with your prep.

[RickNC]

Very cool.

[Foshunter]

Any day Mos. is found that is a good day, you had a great day. Nice find---Tom

[-AnThOnY-]

Thanks everyone! It amazes me that in the first year or so the only mosasaur items I found were two teeth in very rough shape and in the short amount of time mentioned I have been lucky enough to find all this!

[Uncle Siphuncle]

you make your own luck in this gig, anthony... i've seen you do it!

[Digital]

Very impressive. I'm guessing a difficult decision on your free time...prep what you have or find more! Congrats.

[primativesloth]

Very nice collection

[k1wb]

So when you going to share the wealth my friend

K

[-AnThOnY-]

Thanks all. My prep takes a backseat to collecting every time, I'll eventually have to get around to catching up on it but until then its collect collect collect!

you make your own luck in this gig, anthony... i've seen you do it!

And I have started to realized that fact Dan. And I hope it continues to hold true!

So when you going to share the wealth my friend

K

If you ever had free time, I would help!

[mommabetts]

You have a very nice collection, thank you for sharing it with us.