Raggedyman
Res ipsa loquitur
I found this in Raggedyann's herb garden yesterday behind a potted plant. Its been laying there for awhile. A draftsman scale and a quarter are include for size reference.
Its very peculiar in that its BONY structure, segmented and very slightly flexible. The appearance would suggest spine - up to and including the presence of a small neural canal – which can be seen below - but IF this is "spine" it is like no other spine I've ever seen.
what would constitute "vertebral bodies and transverses processes" would seem to be quite incorrect here, in that what would be considered the transverse processes number FOUR per each segment – at 90* to each other (as opposed to TWO) and extend laterally (outward) and caudally (downward toward the tail). They are also disproportionate and extremely long for transverse processes; rather the appearance suggests spinous processes - but in this case there are FOUR per segment. Normal spinal anatomy would be TWO Transverse processes at 180* to each other, each extending laterally and relatively perpendicular to the indivdual segment together with ONE spinous process extending posterior (to the rear or back). that would be NORMAL SPINAL ANATOMY for ANY ANIMAL that I'm aware of at this moment in time
Further, structure like this would not permit a great deal of motion in terms of either lateral bending or even flexion and extension. this structure would seem to lend itself to rigidity as opposed to freedom of movement. I don't see how this creature could crawl or even slither along - like a snake
As I said – it LOOKS like "spine" – but I don't see how it could be. What it clearly is NOT is something like a chicken neck or snake – each of which would have TWO transverse processes. I doubt anybody here will know what this is. I have an appointment with Gracie's vet tomorrow and I'm going to show this weird thing to her and see what she thinks it is.
What's more puzzling is that it seems to me that I've seen this once before – sometime reasonably long ago - as in 12-18 years ago - and I either knew what it was then – or somebody identified it for me.
Anyone know with certainty - or possibly have any thoughts on what this nasty looking thing could belong to?
Its very peculiar in that its BONY structure, segmented and very slightly flexible. The appearance would suggest spine - up to and including the presence of a small neural canal – which can be seen below - but IF this is "spine" it is like no other spine I've ever seen.
what would constitute "vertebral bodies and transverses processes" would seem to be quite incorrect here, in that what would be considered the transverse processes number FOUR per each segment – at 90* to each other (as opposed to TWO) and extend laterally (outward) and caudally (downward toward the tail). They are also disproportionate and extremely long for transverse processes; rather the appearance suggests spinous processes - but in this case there are FOUR per segment. Normal spinal anatomy would be TWO Transverse processes at 180* to each other, each extending laterally and relatively perpendicular to the indivdual segment together with ONE spinous process extending posterior (to the rear or back). that would be NORMAL SPINAL ANATOMY for ANY ANIMAL that I'm aware of at this moment in time
Further, structure like this would not permit a great deal of motion in terms of either lateral bending or even flexion and extension. this structure would seem to lend itself to rigidity as opposed to freedom of movement. I don't see how this creature could crawl or even slither along - like a snake
What's more puzzling is that it seems to me that I've seen this once before – sometime reasonably long ago - as in 12-18 years ago - and I either knew what it was then – or somebody identified it for me.
Anyone know with certainty - or possibly have any thoughts on what this nasty looking thing could belong to?
