[NHCOLL-L:1253] Has anyone ever seen this?

[rich at thewildlifemuseum.org]

Recently I received two opossum skulls from a supplier who sends me oddities
which come his way.  These two skulls are literally peppered with tiny
holes, about .75 millimeters in diameter.  They range in depth from less
than a millimeter to penetrating the bone.  Those which penetrate do not
match up with another aligned hole further on.  The edges are perfectly
clean, quite sharp, and the cavity under the hole tends to be round, and of
larger diameter than the opening.  I don't see any bony reaction to this at
all, on any of the holes.  I'd be willing to bet they are post-, or at least
peri- mortem I don't see any remnants of lead.  The holes are on all
surfaces of the skull and mandible, including the palatal surface and both
the lingual and labial side of the mandibles.

They look entirely to regular to be fungal.  If someone wants to suggest
insects, I'd appreciate any ideas about what insects might do this.  I've
looked at 10's of thousands of skulls cleaned by dermestids, and never seen
this.

The defects don't photograph very well.  Any ideas?

Richard White
International Wildlife Museum
Tucson