All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
27 07, 2025

The Countdown to First Ever DinoCon Convention

By |2025-07-26T17:38:57+01:00July 27th, 2025|Dinosaur Fans|0 Comments

Sue and Mike from Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to DinoCon 2025. There are just three weeks to go to this exciting event.  We are getting ready and planning what ranges of prehistoric animal models we should bring down to sell.

DinoCon is the UK’s biggest palaeontology and prehistoric animal themed convention. It builds on the legacy of TetZooCon. There is a focus on education and fun. An incredible guest lineup has been organised and furthermore, there will be talks and presentations from acclaimed palaeontologists. In addition, there are lots of workshops, palaeoart presentations and so much more.

Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur will be attending DinoCon 2025.

Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur will be attending DinoCon 2025. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

DinoCon 2025

DinoCon 2025 takes place in the heart of Exeter University, taking over The Great Hall and Devonshire House. The Great Hall will host the main talks and presentations, while nearby spaces will come alive with palaeo-themed activities and displays. Organisers have set up the vendor hall in The Sanctuary, a spacious room just below The Great Hall.

Everything Dinosaur will be in the vendor hall, come on over and say hello.

DinoCon details:

When: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of August 2025

Where: University of Exeter

Tickets and further information: DinoCon – Further Information.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are looking forward to the inaugural DinoCon event immensely. Hopefully, this will become an annual event. Sue and I have asked our fans and followers what sort of prehistoric animal models we should sell at DinoCon. So far, it looks like we will be taking down PNSO, Haolonggood and Beasts of the Mesozoic figures.”

In the meantime, visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

26 07, 2025

A Single Vertebra Provides New Insights into Basal Archosauromorphs

By |2025-07-26T12:42:44+01:00July 26th, 2025|Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

A team of international researchers have named a new species of Permian archosauromorph based on a single neck bone.  The animal has been named Manistropheus kulicki.  It provides new insights into the early evolution of archosauromorphs, a clade that includes the crocodiles, birds, pterosaurs and dinosaurs.  The cervical vertebra was discovered last century, but it has only just been scientifically described.  It was found at the famous Korbacher Spalte site in central Germany.  A fissure preserves the fragmentary and isolated remains of many Late Permian vertebrates.  The sediments are believed to around 255 million years old.

The Korbacher Spalte locality is important because it preserves evidence of tetrapods prior to the mass extinction event at the Permian-Triassic boundary.

Manistropheus kulicki holotype.

The holotype of Manistropheus kulicki (SMNK-PAL 76022) shown in left lateral view. Picture credit: Carola Radke.

Picture credit: Carola Radke

Korbacher Spalte

The Korbacher locality is particularly well known for its many finds of the early mammal ancestor, a cynodont called Procynosuchus.  This synapsis is also jokingly referred to as the “Korbach dachshund” because of its appearance. However, scientists have now described a previously unknown species of archosauromorph reptile based on a single, well-preserved cervical vertebra. Distinctive characteristics of the fossil bone enabled the team to erect a new genus and species – Manistropheus kulicki.

Manistropheus kulicki Cervical Vertebra

The vertebra is characterised by an elongated, diamond-shaped centre and a crescent-shaped indentation on the side of the front edge of the vertebra. This gives the new genus its name – from the Old Norse Máni, the personification of the moon in Germanic mythology, and the Greek “stropheus,” meaning vertebra. Overall, the specimen shows similarities to early archosauromorphs but also shows features that are absent in other reptiles of that time. A comprehensive study of the phylogenetic relationships suggests that M. kulicki stands at the base of this important reptile lineage.  It is thought to be a basal archosauromorph.

The study also used an analysis of morphological diversity to investigate how cervical vertebrae have changed over the course of Earth’s history. The results suggest that archosauromorphs were already morphologically diverse before their extinction and that their cervical anatomy diversified rapidly in the Early Triassic.  Cervical vertebrae anatomy changed faster than other parts of the skeleton.

Lead author of the study, Dr Martín Ezcurra (CONICET) stated:

“This discovery is particularly significant because Permian archosauromorphs are extremely rare, with only five fossil species from this period known to date. Thanks to Manistropheus kulicki, we can see how diverse this group already was before the mass extinction.”

Co-author Professor Hans-Dieter Sues (Smithsonian Institute), added:

“This fossil not only proves the existence of a new species, but also supports the assumption that there was already a previously hidden diversity of archosauromorphs in the Permian period.”

Diverse Archosauromorphs Present in Equatorial Regions During the Late Permian

Professor Jörg Fröbisch (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin), another co-author of the study, highlighted the significance of the Korbach Spalte site.

He commented:

“The Korbach fissure site is proving to be a key location for better understanding life on land in the tropical regions of the supercontinent Pangaea shortly before the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history. “

The naming of this basal archosauromorph from Germany highlights the importance of continuing to explore lesser-known fossil sites.  It is especially important to explore fossil sites that provide insights into ancient ecosystems threatened with extinction.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new late Permian archosauromorph reptile from Germany enhances our understanding of the early diversity of the clade” by Martín D. Ezcurra, Hans-Dieter Sues and Jörg Fröbisch published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models.

25 07, 2025

New Haolonggood Dinosaur Models in Stock at Everything Dinosaur.

By |2025-07-26T06:13:16+01:00July 25th, 2025|Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models|0 Comments

New Haolonggood dinosaur models are in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The new figures include Euhelopus models, Saurolophus and a pair of T. rex figures.  In addition, more Alamosaurus models have arrived along with Xuan Zan the Stegosaurus figure.

New Haolonggood dinosaur models in stock at Everything Dinosaur.

A delivery of Haolonggood dinosaur models has arrived at Everything Dinosaur. The delivery includes T. rex figures, Euhelopus models and the eagerly awaited Saurolophus pair. In addition, Xuan Zan the Stegosaurus is in stock along with more of the super-sized Alamosaurus models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.

A Large Range of Haolonggood Dinosaur Models

Haolonggood continue to produce detailed dinosaur models.  Most of the figures are in 1:35 scale.  Congratulations to the Haolonggood design team.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“All these new figures are now available from Everything Dinosaur.  We have been busy contacting all those customers that wanted to be informed when these wonderful models arrived.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Toys and Gifts.

24 07, 2025

The Unique Design and Development Process for EDE001

By |2025-07-25T06:30:18+01:00July 24th, 2025|Everything Dinosaur Evolution|0 Comments

Acclaimed palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls outlines how following the fossil evidence combined with an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the natural world all help to create a plausible T. rex dinosaur model. This exciting new figure has the product code EDE001. The new Everything Dinosaur Evolution 1:33 scale Tyrannosaurus rex model has been developed from the bones outwards! The EDE001 design process has been all about following the fossil evidence.  The intention is to create a life appearance that would be accurate.  It is time to create a plausible figure of Tyrannosaurus rex.

EDE001 design and development.

Made for model collectors by model collectors. The Everything Dinosaur Evolution 1:33 scale dinosaur model has been built from the fossil bones outwards. The design and development process has been remarkable, the attention to detail incredible. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Join the Evolution! ‪‪Sign up for more information here: Everything Dinosaur Evolution.

Everything Dinosaur Evolution is a new range of stunning prehistoric animal models and figures. We are following the fossil record to produce incredibly detailed, highly collectable scale models.

EDE001 Design and Development

Bob Nicholls, renowned for his anatomical accuracy and artistic vision has played a pivotal role in EDE001 design and development.  Nobody has ever seen a living non-avian dinosaur.  It takes a special team with special skills to create an extinct animal such as a T. rex.  Thanks to Bob’s meticulous attention to detail, the first figure in this unique model series is a plausible reconstruction.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Bob has done a fantastic job. His attention to detail is second to none. Working in collaboration with the rest of the team, he has brought T. rex to life. Every detail, every characteristic carefully considered. The EDE001 design is precise and thoughtful. The colour scheme, perhaps one of the most intricate every mapped out for a dinosaur model is stunning and scientifically grounded. Each model is hand-painted, and we are proud to introduce this remarkable dinosaur figure to the world.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Scale Models of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.

23 07, 2025

New Research Finds Ancient “Squid-like Creatures” Not a Squid

By |2025-07-25T06:23:11+01:00July 23rd, 2025|Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Stunning fossils of Cambrian nectocaridids solves a half-a-billion-year-old evolutionary puzzle.  Fossil material excavated from the Sirius Passet site in North Greenland has enabled palaeontologists to identify these ancient marine invertebrates as early descendants of chaetognaths (arrow worms).  It had been proposed that these animals were a type of cephalopod.  Cephalopods are marine molluscs with tentacles and a prominent head.  Living cephalopods include cuttlefish, octopi and squid.  The extinct ammonites and belemnites were cephalopods.

This significant discovery rewrites part of the story of the Cambrian Explosion. It shows arrow worms descended from complex predators, not simple marine organisms.

Life reconstruction of Nektognathus.

Life reconstruction of Nektognathus, swimming in the Cambrian Sea. It is depicted as a nektonic predator. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.

Picture credit: Bob Nicholls

The illustration of Cambrian life (above) was created by acclaimed palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls.  Bob has recently been collaborating with Everything Dinosaur in the production of museum quality prehistoric animal models – Everything Dinosaur Evolution.

To learn more about these remarkable, scientifically accurate figures: Everything Dinosaur Evolution Figures.

Studying Cambrian Nectocaridids

The research team included palaeontologists from the University of Bristol, the University of Copenhagen, and the Korean Polar Research Institute. Their work builds on nine years of expeditions to Sirius Passet, a site famous for exceptional soft-tissue fossil preservation from 518 million years ago (Stage 3 of the Cambrian).

Co-author of the study, Dr Jakob Vinther, Associate Professor in Macroevolution at the University of Bristol commented:

“Sirius Passet is a treasure trove of fossils from the Cambrian Explosion. We not only find delicate soft-bodied fossils but also their digestive systems, musculature and sometimes even their nervous system.”

Research first published in 2009 examining fossils from the famous Burgess Shale deposits of British Columbia (Canada), linked nectocaridids to cephalopods.  However, some invertebrate palaeontologists remained sceptical.

Dr Vinther explained:

“Around 15 years ago a research paper, based on fossils from the famous Burgess Shale, claimed nectocaridids were cephalopods. It never really made sense to me, as the hypothesis would upend everything we otherwise know about cephalopods and their anatomy didn’t closely match cephalopods when you looked carefully.”

Field team members became excited as they found twenty-five new specimens of Cambrian nectocaridids in the Sirius Passet deposits. These are the first nectocaridids unearthed from the Sirius Passet locality. Evidence of nervous systems were preserved in some specimens.

Cambrian nectocaridids studied in North Greenland.

A fossil specimen of Nektognathus discovered at Sirius Passet (northern Greenland). Picture credit: University of Bristol.

Picture credit: University of Bristol

Identifying the Ventral Ganglion

The team discovered nectocaridids with parts of their nervous system preserved as paired mineralised structures.  This new evidence helped to confirm the phylogeny of these ancient animals. Arrow worm fossils with preserved ventral ganglia – a unique nerve structure seen in modern chaetognaths (arrow worms) were also found.

Co-author of the paper, Dr Tae-Yoon Park from the Korean Polar Institute stated:

“These fossils all preserve a unique feature, distinct for arrow worms, called the ventral ganglion.”

The discovery of this structure confirms the evolutionary link between nectocaridids and arrow worms.

The holotype specimen of Nektognathus which was part of a study of Cambrian nectocaridids.

The holotype specimen of Nektognathus from Sirius Passet. Picture credit: Tae-Yoon Park.

Picture credit: Tae-Yoon Park

The authors of the study have erected a new nectocaridid taxon Nektognathus evasmithae. The species name honours Professor Eva Smith, the first female professor of law in Denmark and renowned human rights advocate. Dr Vinther commented that N. evasmithae was a smart and stealthy fighter, just like the Danish advocate.

Dr Park added:

“We now had a smoking gun to resolve the nectocaridid controversy. Nectocaridids share a number of features with some of the other fossils that also belong to the arrow worm stem lineage. Many of these features are superficially squid-like and reflect simple adaptations to an active swimming mode of life in invertebrates, just like whales and ancient marine reptiles end up looking like fish when they evolve such a mode of life.”

Cambrian nectocaridids study. Holotype fossil of Nektognathus viewed with Electron Probe microanalysis.

The holotype specimen of Nektognathus from Sirius Passet imaged with Electron Probe microanalysis for its carbon content. Picture credit: Mirinae Lee and Chankun Park.

Picture credit: Mirinae Lee and Chankun Park

Cambrian Nectocaridids – Dynamic, Nektonic, Agile Predators

This surprising discovery means the rather simple marine arrow worms had ancestors with much more complex anatomies and a predatory role higher up in the food chain. Cambrian nectocaridids had camera-type eyes, long antennae, and streamlined bodies for active hunting.  In contrast, extant arrow worms have eyes that are sensitive to light but are not thought to have effective vision.  The researchers conclude that the ancestors of today’s arrow worms were nektonic predators.  They filled an ecological niche similar to living squid.  Although, squids evolved much later.  Preserved gut contents indicate that Nektognathus evasmithae fed on the swimming arthropod Isoxys.

Dr Vinther commented:

“We can therefore show how arrow worms used to occupy a role much higher in the food chain. Our fossils can be much bigger than a typical living arrow worm and combined with their swimming apparatus, eyes and long antennae, they must have been formidable and stealthy predators.”

A modern chaetognath.

A photograph of a modern chaetognath (arrow worm) from Antarctica. Picture credit: Tae-Yoon Park.

Picture credit: Tae-Yoon Park

This study gives us a new view of Cambrian nectocaridids. Far from being early squids, they were fierce predators with an advanced anatomy.  This study helps palaeontologists to better understand Cambrian marine ecosystems.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A fossilised ventral ganglion reveals a chaetognath affinity for Cambrian nectocaridids” by Jakob Vinther et al published in Science Advances.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

22 07, 2025

A Novel Approach to a New Model Series from Everything Dinosaur

By |2025-07-22T17:21:25+01:00July 22nd, 2025|Everything Dinosaur Evolution|0 Comments

The Everything Dinosaur Evolution Hell Creek Formation figures represent a community of dinosaur models for the model collecting community. The aim is to create a set of four scientifically accurate scale models of Hell Creek Formation dinosaurs.  These dinosaurs were coeval.  They were contemporaneous.  These four dinosaurs lived in the same part of Laramidia during the same time (Late Cretaceous).  The Hell Creek Formation preserves a rich dinosaur dominated biota.

The four dinosaurs in the Hell Creek Formation series are:

  • Tyrannosaurus rex
  • Triceratops
  • Edmontosaurus
  • Anzu wyliei

The figures represent a community of prehistoric animals, and as such it makes sense to display these figures together.

A community of dinosaur models. Four Hell Creek Formation dinosaurs.

A community of dinosaurs for the model collecting community. Anzu, Triceratops, Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus – four taxa that were coeval. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To learn more about the remarkable Everything Dinosaur Evolution range: Everything Dinosaur Evolution Series.

A Community of Dinosaur Models (Hell Creek Formation)

The image above shows illustrations of these four dinosaur models.  The drawings were created by renowned palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls.  Bob is part of the Everything Dinosaur Evolution team.

These four dinosaurs are linked together in the image.  They surround a small gold coloured hexagon that highlights that all these iconic dinosaurs are known from North America.  These are four dinosaur models made by model collectors for model collectors. The tagline in the image indicates that these figures are from one community to another.

👉 Made by Model Collectors for Model Collectors.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Our aim is to cover numerous famous fossil bearing geological formations.  In each series of models, we will try and represent contemporaneous animals.  By doing this we provide a reason as to why a model collector should display our figures together.  It’s all about recreating ancient ecosystems. Join the Evolution!”

Let’s change the world one dinosaur model at a time…

The highly acclaimed Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

19 07, 2025

“Obélix Jaw” – A New Late Cretaceous Ornithopod Dinosaur

By |2025-07-26T21:48:14+01:00July 19th, 2025|Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Researchers have named a new genus and species of rhabdodontomorph ornithopod from fossil material found in southeastern France. The dinosaur has been named Obelignathus septimanicus. The genus name was inspired by the French cartoon strip character Obélix from the Asterix the Gaul series, and the Latin word for jaw. Obélix is known for his exceptional strength and robust appearance. This is a reference to the unusually robustly built holotype dentary.

The researchers conclude that rhabdodontomorphs were more diverse in Europe than previously recognised.

 

Obelignathus septimanicus silhouette.

A silhouette of the recently described 2025 ornithopod Obelignathus septimanicus from the Grès à Reptiles Formation in southern France. Scale bar equals 50 cm. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Obelignathus septimanicus

The origins and early diversification of the Ornithopoda is poorly understood.  For instance, the phylogeny of the Rhabdodontidae, a family of medium-sized ornithischian dinosaurs known solely from the Upper Cretaceous of Europe remains unresolved.  Current studies suggest eight or nine species, all of which are known from the upper Campanian to lower Maastrichtian of Europe.

Writing in the journal “Scientific Reports”, the researchers compiled a novel dataset made up from a morphological assessment and measurements of rhabdodontomorph dentaries.  The robust dentary (specimen number MDE D30) when first described in 1991 (Buffetaut and Le Loeuff), was thought to represent the genus Rhabdodon. However, it was sufficiently different to warrant its own species – Rhabdodon septimanicus. This latest analysis places R. septimanicus well outside the genus Rhabdodon and hence, a new genus has been erected.

Obelignathus is found to be a clear morphological outlier among European rhabdodontomorphs.  The research team members conclude that further large-scale studies are required to clarify the taxonomy of European rhabdodontomorphs.  These results indicate that this group of ornithopods exhibit greater diversity than currently recognised.  Several taxa appear to be coeval.

In common with most other rhabdodonts Obelignathus was relatively small. It is thought to have measured under three metres in length.

A New Herbivore from Late Cretaceous France

The find underscores southern France’s importance as a hotspot for Late Cretaceous dinosaur diversity. As fieldwork continues, Obelignathus offers a glimpse into the complex web of life that once thrived on the European archipelago.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the open access scientific paper in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Exploring the diversity and disparity of rhabdodontomorph ornithopods from the Late Cretaceous European archipelago” by Łukasz Czepiński and Daniel Madzia published in Scientific Reports.

For models of ornithopods and other dinosaurs: Dinosaur Models.

18 07, 2025

An Exclusive Austroraptor Illustration

By |2025-07-13T14:47:50+01:00July 18th, 2025|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings|0 Comments

A drawing of the giant South American dromaeosaur Austroraptor has been commissioned.  This was done to celebrate the arrival of the new Austroraptor cabazai model.  This colourful figure is new for 2025 and is the latest addition to the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range. Austroraptor was formally named and described in 2008 (Fernando Novas et al).  Dr Fernando Emilo Novas has named and described several dinosaurs from his native Argentina.  For example, ten years before the formal scientific description of A. cabazai, he named Megaraptor (M. namunhuaiquii).

When Novas described Megaraptor he thought the fossils represented a huge dromaeosaurid. It was thought at the time that an enormous fossil claw was from the second toe. Typical of a dromaeosaurid, but much larger than the claws associated with most dromaeosaurid taxa. However, subsequent analysis has revealed this claw to actually be a finger claw rather than a toe claw.  Megaraptor was not a giant dromaeosaurid.  However, with the formal description of Austroraptor, Argentina had its first giant “raptor”.

Austroraptor cabazai remains the largest dromaeosaur known to date from the Southern Hemisphere. Body size estimates vary. However, it could have reached a length of around six metres.

The Austroraptor cabazai model illustration.

The Austroraptor cabazai model illustration commissioned by Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Wild Safari Prehistoric World models in stock: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figurines.

The Austroraptor cabazai Model Drawing

Everything Dinosaur commissioned the drawing so that it could be used in an Austroraptor fact sheet.  For nearly all the prehistoric animal figures that the company sells, they send out a free fact sheet. The fact sheet provides information about the prehistoric animal. Furthermore, a scale drawing is included.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We like to inform and educate.  Hopefully, the free fact sheets that we send out help.  In addition, we get sent lots of emails asking about dinosaurs and fossils.  We do all we can to answer these queries promptly.  The Austroraptor drawing will permit us to create a scale drawing of this Late Cretaceous Argentinian dromaeosaurid. This scale drawing will then feature on our new Austroraptor cabazai fact sheet.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figurines.

17 07, 2025

New Haolonggood Euhelopus Dinosaur Models Coming into Stock

By |2025-07-26T05:59:38+01:00July 17th, 2025|Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models|0 Comments

The two, new for 2025 Haolonggood Euhelopus figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur soon.  Both the brown and grey coloured versions will be arriving at the company’s warehouse shortly.  These replicas of an Early Cretaceous sauropod are in 1:35 scale.

Haolonggood Euhelopus figures.

The new for 2025 Haolonggood Euhelopus dinosaur models.

Haolonggood Euhelopus Figures

These models measure twenty-six and a half centimetres in length.  Those majestic heads are approximately eighteen and a half centimetres off the ground.  Everything Dinosaur supplies a free fact sheet on Euhelopus.

Haolonggood Euhelopus figure (Yang Chun)

A majestic, grey-coloured Haolonggood Euhelopus dinosaur model (Yang Chun).

To view the extensive range of Haolonggood models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

Euhelopus fossils are known from Lower Cretaceous deposits from the Chinese coastal province of Shandong. It had a disproportionately long neck, and its forelimbs were longer than its hindlimbs, giving this sauropod a sloping back.  Size estimates vary.  For example, the Everything Dinosaur Euhelopus fact sheet cites a body weight range from 3, 500 kilograms to 15,000 kilograms.

The Term “Comb. nov.

In 1929, Swedish palaeontologist Carl Wiman originally described and named the dinosaur Helopus, meaning “Marsh Foot.” He derived the name from the Greek words helos (meaning swamp), and pous (meaning foot). Therefore, the dinosaur’s name references both the marshy site where the fossils were discovered and Swedish swamp shoes that, according to Wiman, resembled the animal’s wide feet. However, the name Helopus was already in use for a bird species, as the Caspian tern had been named Helopus caspius.  The Latin term “comb. nov.” is associated with the Euhelopus taxon.  This stands for “Combinatio nova“, reflecting the fact that the formal, binomial name for this dinosaur was a new scientific name created from a pre-existing name for this animal.

Haolonggood Euhelopus models.

Two colour variants of the Euhelopus will be available. The figure (left) is the brown-coloured Euhelopus Jiang Jing. Yang Chun the grey-coloured Euhelopus is on the right.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is wonderful to have a Chinese company making models of Chinese dinosaurs.  We are looking forward to getting these two fabulous sauropod figures into stock.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

16 07, 2025

Remarkable Research Reveals Giant Temnodontosaurus Relied on Stealth

By |2025-07-16T21:58:56+01:00July 16th, 2025|Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

A remarkable fossilised ichthyosaur flipper has provided new insights into the hunting behaviour of ancient marine reptiles.  The study, published in the journal “Nature” reveals that the giant ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus trigonodon relied on stealth whilst hunting in the darkness. The metre-long front flipper was equipped with flow control structures that probably served to suppress self-generated noise as this megapredator hunted in dimly lit pelagic environments.

Temnodontosaurus trigonodon hunting squid.

Life reconstruction of the giant Jurassic ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus trigonodon hunting in the depths. The artwork highlights the winglike flipper, and the unusual structures observed in the fin. Picture credit: Joschua Knüppe.

Picture credit: Joschua Knüppe

Temnodontosaurus trigonodon Flipper Study

Temnodontosaurus was a large ichthyosaur. Size estimates vary, however, some individuals may have exceeded ten metres in length. Researchers have named several species within the genus. While fragmentary remains of unusual “fish lizards” had previously been excavated along the Dorset coast, it was the discovery of a metre-long skull by Joseph Anning at Lyme Regis in the autumn of 1811—followed by vertebrae and ribs found by 13-year-old Mary Anning in 1812 that prompted the first formal scientific study and description of an ichthyosaur. More than two centuries later, these enigmatic marine reptiles continue to yield unexpected insights and discoveries.

The fossilised flipper (specimen number SSN8DOR11) was collected from a temporary exposure of dark, laminated limestone (Lower Toarcian Posidonia Shale) of southwestern Germany. The partial front flipper preserves soft tissue structures and has been studied by an international team of researchers led by Dr Johan Lindgren from Lund University in Sweden.  The research was undertaken in collaboration with Dr Dean Lomax, an 1851 Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, who has been working on the fossil for about six years. Dr Lomax is one of the world’s leading ichthyosaur experts.

Examining the fossil flipper.

Dr Dean Lomax and Dr Johan Lindgren, together with fellow researcher Sven Sachs, examining one part of the Temnodontosaurus trigonodon flipper at Lund University, Sweden. Picture credit: Katrin Sachs.

Picture credit: Katrin Sachs

Dr Lindgren, who has pioneered research into marine reptile soft tissues commented:

“The wing-like shape of the flipper, together with the lack of bones in the distal end and distinctly serrated trailing edge collectively indicate that this massive animal had evolved means to minimise sound production during swimming. Accordingly, this ichthyosaur must have moved almost silently through the water, in a manner similar to how living owls—whose wing feathers also form a zigzag pattern—fly quietly when hunting at night. We have never seen such elaborate evolutionary adaptations in a marine animal before.”

Images of the fossil flipper.

The remarkable fossil flipper specimen (SSN8DOR11) shown left, under UV light (centre) and in a line drawing (right). Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren.

Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren

“Silent Swimming”

Although there are many exceptional ichthyosaur specimens with soft-tissue preservation, most soft tissues are associated with the fossilised remains of much smaller dolphin-sized species.  This is a remarkable discovery, it represents the first-ever soft tissues associated with a large-bodied ichthyosaur. In addition, the research team have identified unique structures never observed before in an aquatic animal.  The crenulated trailing edge of the wing-shaped flipper being reinforced by novel, mineralised, rod-like structures.  The researchers have named these structures “chondroderms”.

Dr Dean Lomax, who is also a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester, said:

“The first time I saw the specimen, I knew it was unique. Having examined thousands of ichthyosaurs, I had never seen anything quite like it. This discovery will revolutionise the way we look at and reconstruct ichthyosaurs (and possibly also other ancient marine reptiles) but specifically soft-tissue structures in prehistoric animals.”

Novel cartilaginous integumentary structures identified on a Temnodontosaurus trigonodon flipper.

Novel cartilaginous integumentary structures. To the left, light micrograph of the crenulated trailing edge in SSN8DOR11. Note that each serration is supported by a centrally located chondroderm. To the right, magnified image of a distal chondroderm. Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren.

Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren

The team postulate that this huge predator relied on underwater stealth, or “silent swimming” while hunting in the depths, in much the same way that owls as nocturnal predators have almost silent flight.

Eyes as Big as Footballs

Temnodontosaurus had the largest eyes of any vertebrate known.  The eye sockets of some specimens are more than twenty-five centimetres in diameter.  These huge eyes lend further support to the theory that Temnodontosaurus hunted under low-light conditions, either at night or in deep waters.

SSN8DOR11 images.

Spectacular, 183-million-year-old soft-tissue fossil (SSN8DOR11; Paläontologisches Museum Nierstein, Nierstein, Germany): an isolated wing-like front flipper of the giant predatory ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus (T. trigonodon). Photograph (left) and shown under UV light (centre). Line drawing (right) providing a representation of the metre-long flipper. Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren.

Picture credit: Randolph G. De La Garza, Martin Jarenmark and Johan Lindgren

The remarkable fossilised flipper was discovered by fossil collector Georg Göltz, a co-author on the new study. Amazingly, Georg made the find entirely by chance whilst looking for fossils at a temporary exposure at a road cutting in the municipality of Dotternhausen, Germany. The fossil consists of both the part and counterpart (opposing sides) of almost an entire front flipper.  Georg continued to look for more remains, but no other fossil material was found.

As the proximal part of the fin is absent, it has been speculated that the flipper could have been ripped off by an even larger ichthyosaur.  The specimen was shown to palaeontologist and study co-author Sven Sachs (Natural History Museum, Bielefeld).  Dr Sachs immediately recognised the rarity of the find.

A multidisciplinary research team employed a variety of sensitive imaging, elemental and molecular analyses to examine the unique preserved structures. This involved high-end techniques such as synchrotron radiation-based X-ray microtomography at the Swiss Light Source SLS at PSI and Diamond Light Source, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and infrared microspectroscopy, along with the reconstruction of a virtual model using computational fluid dynamics.

To recreate the stealth hunting behaviours of a marine reptile that lived more than 180 million years ago is remarkable. Furthermore, by studying the fin morphology, scientists could find ways of reducing our impact on modern marine soundscapes.

Going Back to Mary Anning

For Dr Dean Lomax, this astonishing study harks all the way to back to the days of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning and her older brother Joseph.

He stated:

“In a weird way, I feel that there is a wonderful full-circle moment that goes back to Mary Anning showcasing that even after two hundred years, we are still uncovering exciting and surprising finds that link back to her initial discoveries.”

Dr Lomax added:

“The fossil provides new information on the flipper soft tissues of this enormous leviathan. It has structures never seen in any animal, and reveals a unique hunting strategy thus providing evidence of its behaviour, all combined with the fact that its noise-reducing features may even help us to reduce human-made noise pollution. Although I might be a little bias, in my opinion, this represents one of the greatest fossil discoveries ever made.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Adaptations for stealth in the wing-like flippers of a large ichthyosaur” by Johan Lindgren, Dean R. Lomax, Robert-Zoltán Szász, Miguel Marx, Johan Revstedt, Georg Göltz, Sven Sachs, Randolph G. De La Garza, Miriam Heingård, Martin Jarenmark, Kristina Ydström, Peter Sjövall, Frank Osbæck, Stephen A. Hall, Michiel Op de Beeck, Mats E. Eriksson, Carl Alwmark, Federica Marone, Alexander Liptak, Robert Atwood, Genoveva Burca, Per Uvdal, Per Persson and Dan-Eric Nilsson published in the journal Nature.

Visit the website of the award-winning palaeontologist and author Dr Dean Lomax: Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.

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