Turntable Tuesday – CollectA Deluxe Microraptor Dinosaur Model

It’s “Turntable Tuesday” and it is time to put another prehistoric animal model on the Everything Dinosaur turntable and give it a spin.  Today, we feature the awesome, new for 2020 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Microraptor dinosaur model.

“Turntable Tuesday” The New for 2020 CollectA Deluxe Microraptor Dinosaur Model Goes for a Spin

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

The CollectA Deluxe Microraptor is in stock at Everything Dinosaur, this fantastic, feathered dinosaur figure and the rest of the CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life collection can be found here: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

The CollectA Deluxe Microraptor Dinosaur Model

First named and scientifically described twenty years ago, Microraptor has become one of the most studied of all the Chinese dinosaurs from Liaoning Province.  It was the first dinosaur specimen found to demonstrate the presence of flight feathers on its hind legs as well as on its arms.  Three species have been assigned to this genus, although there is some debate as to their validity as separate species.  Microraptor fossils are the most abundant non-avialan dinosaur found in the Jiufotang Formation (Liaoning Province).

All the material comes from the same bedding plane – the Shangheshou Bed.  It has been estimated that over three hundred specimens have been collected to date, although it is difficult to verify this figure as a large number of specimens are in the hands of private collectors who are reluctant to come forward due to the difficulties that might arise once these fossils come to the attention of the Chinese authorities.

The Stunning CollectA Deluxe 1:6 Scale Microraptor Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Iridescent Feathers and a Bifurcated Tail

In 2012, a scientific paper was published in “Science”, the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, that reported upon a study of fossilised pigment cells (melanosomes), preserved within a Microraptor fossil specimen (BMNHC PH881).  The researchers compared the arrangements of the melanosomes to those of extant birds and concluded that although Microraptor feathers were black, the melanosomes were reminiscent of the melanosomes found in birds that have iridescent feathers.

The scientific paper that proposes iridescence in the plumage of Microraptor “Reconstruction of Microraptor and the Evolution of Iridescent Plumage” by Quanguo Li, Ke-Qin Gao, Qingjin Meng, Julia A. Clarke, Matthew D. Shawkey, Liliana D’Alba, Rui Pei, Mick Ellison, Mark A. Norell and Jakob Vinther published in the journal Science.

In Everything Dinosaur’s short “Turntable Tuesday” video, these iridescent feathers on the CollectA Microraptor are highlighted.  In addition, the model also sports a bifurcated tailfan, as reflected in fossil discoveries.  It has been suggested that this tailfan structure and the iridescent feathers were primarily used for display.

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Highlighting the Feathers (CollectA Deluxe Microraptor Model)

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

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To purchase the CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Microraptor and other models in the CollectA Deluxe range: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.