KansasFossilHunter Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Here are some pics of my Xiphactinus operculum area. Im having trouble deciphering this mess of thin bones. Anybody here recognize any of these pieces? Operculum? Preoperculum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Also- one of those " What is that!?" Moments. What's up with this stuff on the bones? Skin? Minerals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeloiVarden Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Pretty cool. I had never seen a picture of one. Pretty knarly looking fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Also- one of those " What is that!?" Moments. What's up with this stuff on the bones? Skin? Minerals? I see the slightly eroded structure of the bone, and some adhering matrix. To which what stuff do you refer? "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xiphactinus Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Here are some pics of my Xiphactinus operculum area. Im having trouble deciphering this mess of thin bones. Anybody here recognize any of these pieces? Operculum? Preoperculum? KFH - You've got a tiny X-Fish there. I wonder if it might not be an Ichthyodectes. You won't be able to tell w/o teeth, though. The large bone on the bottom right is the mandibular suspensorium. Basically, the bone that the jaw hangs from. The "cheek" below the eye of the skull illustration is the bone you see. I'm not sure of the other pieces. I don't see any "skin". You might get some scales adhering to the bone, but I think you are just seeing some erosion there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 I see the slightly eroded structure of the bone, and some adhering matrix. To which what stuff do you refer? This stuff- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 KFH - You've got a tiny X-Fish there. I wonder if it might not be an Ichthyodectes. You won't be able to tell w/o teeth, though. Well, it did come with this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xiphactinus Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Well, it did come with this.... Ah ha! X-fish it is. Just a little guy. Probably should throw him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Little? HA please- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xiphactinus Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Little? HA please- That is one amazing little fossil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sseth Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 What an incredible piece. Great job on the prep. _____________________________________ Seth www.fossilshack.com www.americanfossil.com www.fishdig.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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