Is This A Vert?

[Aurelius]

I've been on a quest to find an ichthyosaur vert for a while, and today at Charmouth I thought I might have done. However, I'm now not so sure it's the right shape.

Please excuse the terrible photos, I don't have access to a proper camera for a few days.

It has a smooth, oval, indented surface on each side, and is fairly water worn. For all I know it could just be a bit of rock. Any ideas?

Thanks

[jpc]

I see more of a very worn plesiosaur vert. Ichthyosaur verts tend to be more poker chip-like. this is too three-dimensional.

[Aurelius]

Bingo! Mr. Google suggests you are quite right, I've seen a number on the image search that look identical to mine. Thanks very much for the suggestion - badly worn it may be, but it's the first (more or less) confirmed vertebrate fossil that we've found

[Ammojoe]

Yes, that's absolutely a vert, congratulations! Well done, your peristance has definitely paid off. Plesiosaur verts are much less common than Ichthyosaur (they occur roughly in the ratio of 1 to 40). I wouldn't rule out a neck vertebrae from an ichthyosaur - we'd need better photos to be certain.

[Aurelius]

Thanks Joe! Here's some better photos of the mystery vert. I'll be happy whatever it is - I don't know much about vertebrate fossils, so I appreciate any guidance.

I found this on a sunny day, with the beach absolutely full of people searching for fossils. It was actually the first thing I found, so I was very pleased!

[danielp]

Very nice find.

[Ammojoe]

Lovely find, and it's in crisp condition. I'm convinced that's Plesiosaur, but Darren would know for sure - I'd be chuffed if I'd found one like that! Well done! I haven't found a Plesiosaur vertebra at Charmouth...yet!

Edited September 22, 2013 by Ammojoe