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AMERICAN PLEISTOCENE TAPIR ATLAS VERTEBRA BONE Santa Fe River - Gilchrist Co., Florida, U.S.A. LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 125,000 - 10,000 years ago From a Pleistocene layer of the Santa Fe River in Florida, this is a fossil atlas vertebra from Tapirus veroensis, a species of tapir that lived in Florida in the latter Pleistocene. Bone is exceptionally well preserved with only one edge slightly eroded from exposure. The bi-coloration is a result of partial burial in a protective clay layer. The atlas vertebra is the first vertebra just behind the skull. The ball joints (occipital condyles) of the skull articulate with the two round sockets of this vertebra. As there is only one bone of this kind per animal, such a specimen is a rare find, especially when complete as this excellent example is. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This beauty is AS FOUND!The Tapiridae family are members of the order of Perissodactyla or 'Odd-toed Ungulates'. Ungulates are hoofed mammals that represent the main group of large herbivorous animals alive today. Tapirs first appeared about 40 million years ago during the Oligocene Period. They are still alive today in Central and northern South America as well as Southeast Asia although they are considered endangered in all regions. They are bizarre creatures with heavy pig-like bodies, large odd-toed hoofed feet and long, flexible snouts. They have the ability to move and grasp small branches and leaves with their trunks. Today, tapirs remain unchanged in appearance since they first evolved millions of years ago, which is quite unusual. In Florida, the earliest tapir remains date back 22 million years ago to the Early Miocene. Only in the late Miocene though, do they become abundant. At least four species of tapirs lived in Florida but only one existed at any one time. Tapirus simpsoni was the first species to emerge with Tapirus veroensis being the last, surviving right up to the mass extinction marking the end of the Pleistocene. THERE IS ONLY ONE OF THE BONES FOR EVERY TAPIR - FROM AMERICA'S FINAL ICE AGE! 5.5" wide $155 LM44-011 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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