10.3" Hadrosaur (Edmontosaurus) Vertebra With Pathology - Montana

Hadrosaur (Edmontosaurus) Vertebra With Pathology - Montana #206197

This is a caudal vertebra of a Hadrosaur (Edmontosaurus) from the Hell Creek Formation of Dawson County, Montana. It is in excellent condition, complete with both transverse processes, a spinous process with a natural pathology, a beautifully preserved centrum, and both prezygapophyses and postzygapophyses. Most of the cortical bone has weathered away, exposing the bone cell canals within. The preservation of the processes is mind blowing, considering these features are often lost over the years due to their fragile nature.

Crack repair and gap fill restoration is quite minimal, and is centralized throughout the processes. Each transverse process required some crack repair and gap fill restoration in spots, though they're overall intact. There are also repaired cracks through the spinous process and the left prezygapophysis has some minor restoration to the anterior edge.

The entire vertebra measures 10.3 x 7.5 x 6" and is accompanied by a custom metal display stand.

Hadrosaurs

are frequently referred to as duck-billed dinosaurs and are members of the Ornithischian family Hadrosauridae. They were fairly common herbivores that roamed Asia, Europe, and North America during the Upper Cretaceous Period. Many species of Hadrosaurs had distinctive crests on their heads, some of which had air-filled chambers that may have produced a distinct sound. These crests may have been used for both audio and visual display purposes.

Because of its age and sedimentary composition, the Hell Creek Formation has become one of the most paleontologically studied areas in the world. 158 genera of animals and 64 genera of plants are known from the formation and new discoveries are made frequently. In addition to Tyrannosaurs, Ceratopsids, and Hadrosaurs, the formation has yielded remains of amphibians, reptiles, lizards, snakes and turtles, fish and sharks, avian and non-avian dinosaurs, and mammals. The Hell Creek Formation gives the most complete understanding of the environment just before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.