Vertebrae (general) | Spines & Dermal Plates | Skulls
Necks | F. Appendages | Ribs | R. Appendages | Tails

Sketches modified from Gregory S. Paul

Vertebrae

"[O]ne thing seems strange in regard to the skeleton of the carnivore is—that though we find plenty of leg bones-one coracoid—lots of hollow foot bones, ribs &c.[sic] we find but very few vertebrae either caudal or dorsal that belong to it…" (Felch to Marsh, September 14, 1887). Today we understand more fully the depositional setting of the sandstones in which the bones were found and we interpret the lack of vertebrae as resulting from transport in the strong currents of the stream (Evanoff & Carpenter, 1998).

Strings of articulated vertebrae are also common. These include cervicals, dorsals with ribs, and caudals with chevrons. These are present on the eastern and western parts of the quarry.