Shellseeker Posted July 17 Share Posted July 17 In the Peace River at any time, lighting can strike. By that I mean, it may be an average or below average fossil hunt in terms of quality or quantity, the next sieve brings a fossil that I do not recognize, have never seen previously, Today was exactly like that.... I have suggested that this is a Sloth Toebone.. I found a proximal phalanx of M.jeffersoni a few years back . It seems similar but much larger. I am thinking distal phalanx of a much smaller sloth, BUT I need help here.. Any sloth expertise, please chime in. Jack 1 5 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 July 17 Author Share Posted July 17 As with most Florida fossils (where I do not have a clue), I have also sent an email to Richard Hulbert requesting help. Here is a photo some sloth bones from Paramylodon harlani (a medium sized sloth) . In Florida there are at least 2 smaller sloths in the fossil record (Paramylodon garbani and Megalonyx Leptostomas). Upper right , Pes (hand) on top and Manus (foot) below. I am seeking one of those small bones closest to the claws. Here is another photo of claw and distal phalanx from Megalonyx Leptostomas. In this particular example, the Distal phalanx is similar but far from a match... I am expending time and energy because I LOVE puzzles and I really want to know Species, which digit , which bone.... 1 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 July 17 Author Share Posted July 17 Another update: Richard Hulbert, (University of Florida retired Director Vertebrate Research Lab) responded: Quote Small toe bone... Sloth ? ..Your ID is correct! Most likely from a small species of Megalonyx. Richard Some background: So, I have some hints: 1) Richard implies that this bone may come from one of the 3 smaller species of Megalonyx. 2) I have a claw for Leptostomus.... about 3 inches... but I found this composite and this from @Joe_17 Gallery... Joe I need your insights and measurements on distal phalanx and claw. If smaller than my bone, I focus on M. wheatleyi , larger , then I look at M. curvidens 3) I have yet to tap @Harry Pristis. I hope he has his ears on.... Harry, This is your wheelhouse !! I am interested in all comments and especially the bone in blue.. 1 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted July 17 Share Posted July 17 42 minutes ago, Shellseeker said: Your ID is correct! One of the happiest phrases in the English language (especially given the source). Nice detective work! Cheers. -Ken 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybot Posted July 17 Share Posted July 17 Nice find and ID Jack! 1 -Jay “The earth doesn't need new continents, but new men.” ― Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted July 17 Author Share Posted July 17 Thanks , I am on a crusade... I am getting an idea from skull size of how big the sloths are AND I can see the differences in size for comparing proximal, medial, or distal phalanx. Here are some photos I have picked up in research papers or TFF threads/galleries/etc. Size of Leptostomus skull. Now , how about M. curvidens About 4 inches for this fragment... a LOT smaller Since our examples of Leptostomus Distal phalanx are larger than my find, it makes sense for me to look for a Curvidens Distal Phalanx.. I almost thought I had it... Fossils_UK.com dealer Closer to the size I am looking for... 35 x 29 x27 mm, but that Miocene age concerns me, Think I am seeking Pliocene... Rats, the right size and general shape but nothing to say yes.. I keep on going... This is UFMNH Fig1_Hemphillian_Pliometanastes from the mid_late Miocene in Florida. Take a gander at that bone on Digit #5, it is about 1 inch/25 mm in size , mostly square.... It is NOT that I think my bone came from Pliometanastes, but I would really like to see what a M curvidens Digit #5 (right Pes/hand) looks like up close. Finally, I did not provide good photos from the bottom view of the bone. I do not have it yet, but beginning to think I will get an ID... Genus, species, digit, Phalanx #... In the meantime, I am learning a ton about small Florida sloths... The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted July 18 Share Posted July 18 14 hours ago, Shellseeker said: In the meantime, I am learning a ton about small Florida sloths... That's how my fossil knowledge tends to grow. I go down the rabbit hole and learn all I can about fossils I encounter that indicate a gap in my knowledge. A man on a mission of discovery...what could be better (other than a winning lottery ticket). Cheers. -Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted August 1 Author Share Posted August 1 I have received another response: Quote Hi Jack Thanks for reaching out! Our online catalog is in the process of being changed so there have been many issues. It may work properly now, but I’m not sure they’ve been able to migrate the images back over. I looked through the M. curvidens in the collection and did not find an exact match but your specimen in reasonably similar to a medial phalanx (images attached). The size seems right for M. curvidens as well. Best wishes, -Rachel Rachel provides some photos: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/rachel-narducci-takes-on-new-role-as-vertebrate-paleontology-collections-manager/ I have been fortunate to have the support of some of the stars in Florida Paleontology including Rachel, Richard Hulbert, @digit, Roger Portell, etc over the years. Their support has grown my expertise and makes me seem far more knowledgeable than I actually am. This is their career and they are strongly motivated to spread the love of fossils to grade schools, young high school and college students and also to solicit volunteers at various dig sites, or identify unique and rare fossils needed for collections at the UF MNH collections. I attempt to give back a little for all this community has given me: I volunteer at Dig sites like Montbrook. You do not get to keep any fossils BUT you connect with very interesting scientists. I have been blessed to be invited to Paleontology Society field trips. I have created draft versions of Field Trip Newsletters. If they express an interest in any fossil I find no matter how valuable , I donate it.. I am not unusual. There are many on TFF that do this, connecting to local Natural History Museums. Just saying, if you are serious about this hobby for the long term, get involved with Paleontologists in your area. It definitely will make you more knowledgeable. Ok... Back to the phalanx... What do you think ? How should I label this one? Megalonyx .cf curvidens is a possibility.. Thanks , Jack 1 1 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 August 1 Author Share Posted August 1 Adding side by sides .. this seems really close given that size matches (35 x 27 x 29) vs (33x ?? x 25) Different angle last photo. The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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