Atlasaurus – The Fourth Prehistoric Animal Figure from Eofauna Scientific Research
Today, Everything Dinosaur can announce that the fourth figure in the Eofauna Scientific Research range will be… Atlasaurus (A. imelakei), a peculiar sauropod from the Middle Jurassic of North Africa, whose taxonomic affinity within the Sauropoda remains uncertain. Known from a single specimen, representing an individual animal, this is one very untypical member of the long-necked dinosaurs. The model is one of two new for 2019 Eofauna Scientific Research figures, both will be available around October, possibly early November.
The Eofauna Scientific Research Atlasaurus Dinosaur Model
Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur
Atlasaurus – A Peculiar Sauropod Trying to Fit In
Named and described in 1999 (Monbaron, Russell and Taquet), a significant proportion of the skeleton of Atlasaurus (A. imelakei) is known to science. The type specimen, housed in the Musée des sciences de la Terre de Rabat (Morocco), is just missing a few pieces of bone and about half the caudal vertebrae (tail bones). This is one very peculiar sauropod, for instance, despite having been named and described quite recently, the type specimen lacks a specific, unique specimen number. When first studied, it was thought that this dinosaur was similar to Brachiosaurus which was believed to have roamed both Africa and North America. Subsequently, following a review of brachiosaurid fossils, the African material has largely been attributed to the genus Giraffatitan. It has been suggested that Atlasaurus may not be closely related to Brachiosaurus at all, it could be a more basal sauropod and a member of the Turiasauria, long-necked dinosaurs that were geographically widespread during the Middle Jurassic.
Unlike Most of the Sauropoda, the Skull of Atlasaurus is Known
Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur
Bizarre Body Proportions
At first glance, the Eofauna Scientific Research figure might look a little strange. This has nothing to do with the model, it’s just that Atlasaurus was a very strange-looking dinosaur. The limbs of this dinosaur were proportionately longer than those of any other sauropod. It had taken a different evolutionary route when compared to its relatives. The limbs had become elongated and lengthened, whilst in contrast, the neck remained relatively short. Relative to the length of its dorsal vertebral column Atlasaurus had a much shorter neck, a longer tail and long legs. In addition, it had a bigger head.
It roamed North Africa around 168-164 million years ago and it has been suggested that its bizarre body proportions evolved so that it could exploit a particular niche in the ecosystem. It lived in a seasonal, forested environment close to the coast and it is thought that this sauropod was a medium to high-level browser of the forest canopy.
Everything Dinosaur has already opened a reserve list for this eagerly awaited, 1:40 scale figure. The model itself, measures around 30 cm in length and has a head height of approximately 22.5 cm.
See the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
A Reserve List for the Eofauna Scientific Research Atlasaurus is Now Open
Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur
To join our reserve list for the Eofauna Atlasaurus model: Email Everything Dinosaur to Join the Atlasaurus Reserve List.
To view the rest of the Eofauna Scientific Research models available from Everything Dinosaur: Eofauna Scientific Research Prehistoric Animal Models.
Are there four prehistoric models in all for 2020 from Eofauna, two in autumn and two at the end of the year? Can I eagerly wait for a classic theropod form Eofauna to be released this year? I hope that Eofauna will surely add lips in their next theropods.
There are two model introductions planned by Eofauna in late 2019, the first to be announced is the Atlasaurus figure, a second figure will be announced shortly. We are not commenting on Eofauna plans for models for 2020 at this stage.
I am again requesting Eofauna to add lips in the land based theropods, whatever it may be, they will sculpt later, which is my earnest request to them. I have mentioned about this particular trait many times, but still I am mentioning it again before they again sculpt a particular land based theropod, just like David Krentz’s latest rendition of T.rex, “Sue” named Regina Mundi. I have never seen such stunningly accurate renditions of these creatures ever in my lifetime and Eofauna has really relieved me from this grief, I have too much hope from them.