Hi Claire,
 
I know what you mean and although you have shown two vertebrae from different areas along the column, it could be from yet another part of it! Conversely (however!) my second choice would have been part of a scapula, which it could be due to the angle of the (possible) coracoid, then the disc part (glenoid fossa) should be more curved, I would have thought, to articulate with the humerus?  Maybe not though as I vaguely recall that cetacean limb-associated bones can be more vestigial than in other mammals, so you could be right after all. 
 
Apolgies for the rambling style of this reply but hopefully it will help.
 

With all good wishes,
Simon Moore, MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Senior Conservator of Natural Sciences.
Hampshire County Council,
Department of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs,
Museums & Archives Service,
Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane,
Winchester SO23 8RD. UK.
Internal  8 327 6737
01962 826737
http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/biology


 

From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sturman, Claire
Sent: 04 September 2009 10:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: bone identification

Hi,
 
Surely the circular end is at the wrong angle to be a vertebrae?  The left picture shows dolphin vertebrae with the 'arms' being on the same plane as the disc, but in my bone the 'arm' sticks out behind.

Claire Sturman
Natural Science Officer

 

-----Original Message-----
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Moore, Simon
Sent: 04 September 2009 10:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: bone identification

Yes, I would agree with Peter; the gap looks like part of a neural arch.
 

With all good wishes,
Simon Moore, MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Senior Conservator of Natural Sciences.
Hampshire County Council,
Department of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs,
Museums & Archives Service,
Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane,
Winchester SO23 8RD. UK.
Internal  8 327 6737
01962 826737
http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/biology


 

From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Howlett
Sent: 03 September 2009 10:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: bone identification

Hi Claire
 
Looks like a heavily sea-worn vertebra to me. The round articular facet and its size might suggest a cetacean such as Bottlenose Dolphin, although I stand to be corrected on that.
 
Peter Howlett
 

Dept of BioSyB
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NP
Tel: +44 (0)29 2057 3233

 

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