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Hi Jan, 

I agree that its a Pilot Whale Vertebra, we have one of those in our learning space 'Investigate' at the Natural History Museum which looks identical!

Kind Regards

Anthony Roach
Science Educator 

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London 
SW7 5BD

Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:20 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Vertebra ID?!
To: [log in to unmask]

Hello Jan,
 
Paolo just beat me to it!  Yes I agree it is the atlas (1st cervical vertebra) of a medium sized cetacean.  It's too big for porpoise, and much too small for baleen whale, so something the size of a pilot whale would be about right.
 
All the best,
 
Dave

Dr David M Waterhouse BSc (hons) PGCE MSc
Curator of Natural History
(Acting Curator of Geology)
Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service
The Shirehall, Market Avenue
Norwich, Norfolk  NR1 3JQ

Telephone: (+44) (0) 1603 495883
Facsimile: (+44) (0) 1603 493623
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

General Secretary of The Geological Society of Norfolk
http://www.norfolkgeology.co.uk/

While officers make every effort to be accurate, Norfolk Museums Service cannot accept responsibility for any opinions expressed on item(s) submitted for examination.
Officers of the Norfolk Museums Service are not permitted to give valuations, or to assist in the disposal of private property or to recommend business firms.
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paolo Viscardi
Sent: 17 May 2012 16:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Vertebra ID?!

Hi Jan,
 
this looks like the atlas vertebrae of a whale to me, not sure of the species, but I think Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas is a possibility.
 
Cheers,
 
Paolo

On 17 May 2012 14:01, Freedman, Jan (COMMUNITY SERVICES) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi all,
 
Someone brought in this vertebra, which they found washed up near Prawl Point in Devon. Vertebra are not my forte, and wondered if anyone could identify it?
 
Many thanks as always!!
 
Jan
 
Jan Freedman
Curator of Natural History
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AJ
Tel: 01752 30 4774
W: www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk
Twitter:
@janfreedman
@PlymouthMuseum



 
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