I have a potentially perplexing mystery object for you this week from the Dead Zoo. Any idea who this bony character might be?
If you think this is an easy one, then I would be both surprised and impressed, so let me know your thoughts through a crytic clue or two below. Enjoy the challenge!
Zygoma 
‘s curious? A pox on it!
Not a great photo, I know, but the zygomatic arch isn’t right for a squirrel of any hue!
ARI?
(arboreal rodent implied)
100% accuracy, 10% precision.
my what a rathole of info…. the info on scapular morphology!
http://www.jakes-bones.com/2013/04/comparing-bones-scapulas-shoulder-blades.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4912276/
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.08.26.505396v1.full
more simply: i should have noted my observations that the scapula appears more “oar” shaped, for body support, like an ungulate and less “angel winged” shaped, for greater range of motion, like mammals that use their front limbs for grabbing, reaching, etc.
Some fascinating reading there – but scale plays a role in climbing behaviours and the functional adaptations associated, so you can’t believe every implication based on shape!
…on second thoughts, looking at the size of its bulla, could this be a northern relative of a rodent with a chilly chin?
If you’e thinking of the Northern viscacha, then no. But they are very cool critters!
…the more I look the more confusing it gets! Could those be funny little wrist bones flying before my eyes? Too many rodents, too little time! Can’t wait for the answer to this one!
Far too lazy for flight…
Perhaps a flight of fancy will give us the answer?
Flights of fancy do relate to a cultural representation of this little critter, but not in terms of being airborne…
Red and giant?
Neither!