ID help: Phalange/phalanx? From Pleistocene Romania

[HuracanQiui]

Hi guys, this phalange/phalanx (?) was purchased a while ago, and is said to be from Pleistocene Romania, (the same age as the cave bears).

Could anyone please provide an ID?

 

 

[Shellseeker]

9 hours ago, HuracanQiui said:

Hi guys, this phalange/phalanx (?) was purchased a while ago, and is said to be from Pleistocene Romania, (the same age as the cave bears).

Could anyone please provide an ID?

So let me start off that I know nothing about the fauna in Pleistocene Romania... 

It might be the phalanx of a large mammal  , like a Cave Bear or a leg bone of a small mammal.. It also has a significant curve that may be helpful during identification. 

I just did a search on the Internet.. "Cave Bear toe bone phalanx"  ..  Got tons of hits including many photos of the complete claw....

 

On a really unique Distal Phalanx,  I used this technique  (Think of a mammal that 1) exists in your region,  2) Has a toe bone of the right size and determine if it the right shape /size..  and If not Repeat for a different mammal in your region...

There are a few similar bones in the photo above,  I just do not know if they are the right size... 

 

Possibly , a TFF member may have seen your bone and can ID immediately.  but if not you have the means of solving the puzzle yourself.  It is the way I started and I have learned a lot over 10 years...   

[HuracanQiui]

4 hours ago, Shellseeker said:

So let me start off that I know nothing about the fauna in Pleistocene Romania... 

It might be the phalanx of a large mammal  , like a Cave Bear or a leg bone of a small mammal.. It also has a significant curve that may be helpful during identification. 

I just did a search on the Internet.. "Cave Bear toe bone phalanx"  ..  Got tons of hits including many photos of the complete claw....

 

On a really unique Distal Phalanx,  I used this technique  (Think of a mammal that 1) exists in your region,  2) Has a toe bone of the right size and determine if it the right shape /size..  and If not Repeat for a different mammal in your region...

There are a few similar bones in the photo above,  I just do not know if they are the right size... 

 

Possibly , a TFF member may have seen your bone and can ID immediately.  but if not you have the means of solving the puzzle yourself.  It is the way I started and I have learned a lot over 10 years...   

Hi hi, thank you for your response. I have actually already looked through animals with phalange/phalanxes of similar size.

 

This phalange/phalanx does not match the characteristics of Hyaenidae and Felidae, meaning not Panthera spelaea and Crocuta (crocuta) spelaea. I am not familiar with Ursidae digits at all but it does not look like any of the Ursus spealeus digit materials I've come across. I have suspected Canidae but the tubercles don't look right.

[Shellseeker]

With the curve and the "bump" on top of your purchase,  

It seems similar in shape to the smallest proximal on a cave bear...

 

Above is the left paw,  might match the right claw better

 

If the shape is close,  that tells us something.  It also might be a juvenile or newborn bear.

[Kohler Palaeontology]

I'm pretty sure cave bears are very common there. I think.

[HuracanQiui]

2 hours ago, Shellseeker said:

With the curve and the "bump" on top of your purchase,  

It seems similar in shape to the smallest proximal on a cave bear...

 

Above is the left paw,  might match the right claw better

 

If the shape is close,  that tells us something.  It also might be a juvenile or newborn bear.

I think the deduction on it belonging to a juvenile cave bear is quite possible. 

[Shellseeker]

8 hours ago, HuracanQiui said:

I think the deduction on it belonging to a juvenile cave bear is quite possible.

If our thinking is correct,  that would be an excellent acquisition.  If possible , it would be good to seek confirmation of a Paleontologist at a local University.