Late Jurassic
Western North America

The furcula, or wish bone, is an important component of the flight apparatus of birds. Not only do flight muscles attach to it, but it, also serves as a sort of spring to store and release energy during each flap of the wing. For many years the furcula was thought to be a hallmark of birds.

Its discovery in some coelurosaur theropod dinosaurs supported the origin of birds from dinosaurs. However, recent discoveries of a furcula in more primitive theropods such as Allosaurus and Syntarsus shows that the furcula is a feature of all theropod dinosaurs.

Allosaurus certainly didn’t fly, so the function of the furcula in Allosaurus remains a scientific mystery. It may be a mystery, but here’s a chance to own one of these rarely preserved bones from the famous Allosaurus.

Size: 11" wide

WEP, with informative label

Price: $18.00

Click on image to enlarge.