Fish Vertebra?

[PalaeoArt]

Hi Everyone,

I picked up a small vertebra (1.7mm length) on the beach at Beaumaris, Victoria, Australia. This is a Miocene outcrop. I think it's a fish vertebra but wanted to check with this group to see whether anyone could help further ID?

Thanks

Tom

[fifbrindacier]

I won't be able to help you on this, but i think you have made a nice find.

[ynot]

Does not look fish to Me. Maybe a small mammal vert that is really worn(?).

 

Wait for other opinions.

Tony

[jpc]

Not  a mammal; mammal verts are not pinched like that.

[ynot]

Then maybe a large reptile(?).

Just a thought.

 

Tony

[fifbrindacier]

Your thought could be right Tony.

[Antonasaurus]

Probably not a fish vertebra because they usually are round and not wide at all. Maybe small crocodilian or turtle?

[PalaeoArt]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. The reason I originally thought bony fish was simply the size & circularity of the centrum. Looks a little similar to the fish vertebra in the link http://www.fossilguy.com/sites/l_creek/lcrk_col_fish.htm which also includes pinching in the middle. 

[JohnBrewer]

marine reptile maybe?

[Troodon]

Have you checked out the teleost section of the elasmo site.   It's miocene from lee creek and they have some fish verts photo.

 

 

 

http://www.elasmo.com/frameMe.html?file=leecreek/lc_fish/lc_fishSpp.html&menu=bin/menu_leecreek-alt.html

[sagacious]

It's difficult to tell from the photos, and the specimen seems quite abraded, with any/all diagnostic ornamentation likely worn off, but the specimen looks like a bony fish vertebral centrum.

In the third photo, the vertebra may be oriented 'upside down,' with what appears to be the remains of the hemal arch at the top, and the neural arch at the bottom.

I reckon you meant 17mm length, and not 1.7mm length, correct? Size constraint may possibly help point you in the right direction for at least a tentative identification if you have a comprehensive teleost fauna list for your formation.

 

[PalaeoArt]

Thanks Sagacious. Very helpful and you're right - it was meant to read 17mm in length. So the consensus seems to be Teleost (albeit somewhat worn). Thanks for your help everyone.