7" Fossil Hadrosaur (Brachylophosaurus) Dorsal Vertebra - Montana

This is a gorgeous 7" tall Hadrosaur (Brachylophosaurus) dorsal vertebra from the Judith River Formation of Montana. The centrum is in phenomenal condition having undergone relatively little weathering and requiring no restoration. There is however restoration to the points between the centrum and transverse processes. Each transverse process is missing its distal end, has crack repairs and required gap fill restoration to reattach them to the vertebra. Both pedicles are intact and required crack repair and small spots of gap fill restoration that carried into the proximal end of the spinous process. There are crack repairs to the spinous process, though the posterior articular facets are in excellent condition with no restoration. The superior/anterior articular facets required restoration to attach back to the vertebra, however the facets themselves are not restored.

Includes pictured custom metal 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.

The Judith River Formation is one of the world's most prolific sources of Late Cretaceous vertebrate fossils. At least sixteen Orders containing more than forty Genera are known from the formation. These include fish, amphibians, mammals, and insects in addition to reptiles and avian and non-avian dinosaurs (birds). Among the more interesting specimens is Leonardo, a mummified and fossilized Brachylophosaurus. This is a Hadrosaur, a duck-billed dinosaur found with amazing soft-tissue preservation: skin impressions can be found on 90 percent of its body! The pattern in the skin on its feet is even preserved. In addition to Leonardo, the Judith River Formation contains the remains of the theropod Hesperornis, the only known freshwater Hespernorthid, a penguin-like bird.


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Brachylophosaurus canadensis
LOCATION
Hill County, Montana
FORMATION
Judith River Formation
SIZE
7" tall, 6.8" wide. 7.7" on stand
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#134545
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