The new Bullyland Ichthyosaurus model that was exclusively revealed by Everything Dinosaur in May has been postponed until 2021. The model, representing an iconic marine reptile synonymous with Jurassic strata both in UK and in Germany was due to be in stock in the early summer but production issues related to the COVID-19 crisis has led to the postponement of this eagerly anticipated prehistoric animal figure. The future of this figure remains uncertain.
Delayed Until 2021? The Bullyland Ichthyosaurus Marine Reptile Model
The Bullyland Ichthyosaurus model. It was due to be introduced this summer but it has now been delayed until 2021. The model’s future remains uncertain.
The Bullyland Ichthyosaurus Model
On May 18th (2020), Everything Dinosaur revealed a picture of the Bullyland Ichthyosaurus model on the company’s social media pages. Sadly, we have been informed by Bullyland that this figure has now been postponed. It is one of a number of new models and novelties that have had to be cancelled due to the current economic conditions brought about by the pandemic. In an email sent to Everything Dinosaur, a spokesperson from the German manufacturer explained that “Bullyland had to cancel articles and postpone novelties to 2021.”
Bullyland did not introduce any new, large prehistoric animal model figures last year (2019). Indeed, the last new prehistoric animals (Triceratops and Archaeopteryx) came out in 2017. In meetings with Everything Dinosaur, team members were informed about new product plans and a concept “diapsid” range of smaller figures available as a set, but like so many organisations at the moment, production plans have had to be revised.
Everything Dinosaur Comments
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Many companies are having to take appropriate strategic decisions at this difficult time. Manufacturing has been affected and there are difficulties being encountered with global logistics. Lots of organisations have delayed, postponed or cancelled production plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bullyland figures and models are very popular with collectors and fans of dinosaurs and although they may be disappointed to hear this news, we suspect that they will understand the reasons for this decision.”
The Bullyland logo. The company was founded in 1973.
Bullyland Prehistoric Animal Models
Founded in 1973 in the town of Spraitbach near Stuttgart, Bullyland offers a wide range of high-quality figures and models across several ranges. Everything Dinosaur estimates that currently, Bullyland offers around 700 different figures and ranges like “Safari” and “Paddock” have been affected by the closure of zoos, safari parks and other attractions.
As and when Everything Dinosaur receives an update from Bullyland we will make sure that we post this information up onto our social media pages.
The Bullyland Prehistoric Animal Range Already Contains a Trio of Ancient Marine Creatures
A trio of Bullyland models representing prehistoric animals that lived in ancient seas. Elasmosaurus (top), the Liopleurodon model that was introduced in 2016 (middle) and (inset) the Bullyland ammonite model.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
For this week’s Everything Dinosaur YouTube feature “Turntable Tuesday” we take the new for 2020 Mojo Fun Baryonyx dinosaur model for a spin. The figure we selected to take a turn on our turntable is the Baryonyx figure with the articulated jaw.
The Mojo Fun Baryonyx Dinosaur Model (Articulated Jaw) Goes for Spin for “Turntable Tuesday”
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mojo Fun Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
The Baryonyx dinosaur model is one of sixteen new dinosaurs introduced by Mojo this year (2020), within their prestigious “Prehistoric and Extinct” model range. In the Everything Dinosaur video, the model is put through its paces and viewers are given the opportunity to get a 360 degree impression of Baryonyx walkeri. The video review lasts for just over a minute and a half, it is the thirteenth video made in the Everything Dinosaur “Turntable Tuesday” feature,
The Beautiful Colouration on the New for 2020 Mojo Fun Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
The new for 2020 Mojo Fun Baryonyx dinosaur model with an articulated jaw.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
This hand-painted replica measures around 25 centimetres in length and it is one of five new Mojo theropod figures to have an articulated lower jaw. The other new figures with articulated jaws are the Tyrannosaurus rex deluxe, the new Allosaurus, the feathered troodontid and the Spinosaurus deluxe. Dinosaur fans will know that Baryonyx was distantly related to Spinosaurus, although it lived many millions of years before Spinosaurus evolved.
Mojo Baryonyx with an Articulated Jaw
Taking its turn on the Everything Dinosaur turntable. The new for 2020 Mojo Fun Baryonyx with an articulated jaw.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Two Baryonyx Models
There are two Baryonyx dinosaur models in the Mojo Fun model range. These models replace the “blue” Baryonyx figure that was introduced by the company in 2018.
The Mojo Fun Baryonyx Deluxe Model
The new for 2020 Mojo Fun Baryonyx deluxe dinosaur model.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Our weekly Turntable Tuesday feature on the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel is our way of showcasing new models to fans and collectors of prehistoric animal models. So many new Mojo models have been introduced this year, that if we were to produce a video for each one we would still be showing a Mojo Fun video in early November. Much as we would like to cover them all, we have so many other prehistoric animal models to highlight. Still, our studio permits us to take photographs as well so, if we don’t make a video we can take plenty of photographs and share these on-line via our various social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.”
Wild Past Protoceratops Dinosaur Model (Video Review)
Our eagerly anticipated video review of the recently introduced Wild Past Protoceratops dinosaur model is now up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel. In this short video (it lasts six minutes and fifty seconds), we combine a little bit of the science behind the study of this basal neoceratopsian with a review of the actual replica. The model represents Protoceratops andrewsi, which was named and described back in 1923 (Granger and Gregory).
Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube Video Review of the Wild Past Protoceratops andrewsi Model
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Wild Past Protoceratops Dinosaur Model
The Wild Past Protoceratops (P. andrewsi) model was introduced earlier this year (2020). It is the first figure in an exciting range of replicas to be introduced by Wild Past. In our short video review, we comment on the dinosaur model, provide size and scale information and we discuss pricing. The production run for the Protoceratops is actually very small, not that much bigger than the number of fossil specimens of Protoceratops collected by the American Museum of Natural History expeditions between 1922 and 1925! We discuss the production run and its effect on product pricing and provide a link in the video notes to where collectors can purchase this model.
Information about the Price of the Wild Past Protoceratops Dinosaur Model
In the video review, Everything Dinosaur discusses the limited production run and how it has impacted on product pricing. Pricing correct as of June 2020.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A 1/35th Scale Figure
The video review discusses the two species that are assigned to the Protoceratops genus (P. andrewsi and P. hellenikorhinus). We explain how a second species was erected and look briefly at the differences between these two species. In addition, we comment about the 2011 fossil discovery of a nest of Protoceratops andrewsi, complete with the fossilised remains of babies. Although the American Museum of Natural History field team found dinosaur eggs in association with Protoceratops fossil material in their expeditions of the 1920’s, these eggs were not ceratopsid eggs.
Palaeontologists now know that the eggs the American Museum of Natural History field team found were actually laid by an oviraptorosaur, a clade of very bird-like dinosaurs which will be forever referred to as “egg thief lizards”.
The Wild Past Protoceratops Model is Supplied with a Nest Reflecting Recent Fossil Discoveries
The Wild Past Protoceratops dinosaur model with nest.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Triceratops model is used to show the size of the Wild Past Protoceratops. In the Everything Dinosaur YouTube video review, the use of the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Triceratops as a reference for the scale of the Wild Past Protoceratops is commented upon.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of Wild Past prehistoric animal models including the Wild Past Protoceratops andrewsi: Wild Past Prehistoric Animals.
Two New Transitional Horned Dinosaurs – Navajoceratops sullivani and Terminocavus sealeyi
In the last few days, a scientific paper has been published that proposes a direct evolutionary link between Pentaceratops and the younger chasmosaurine Anchiceratops. The idea that there was a link between Pentaceratops (P. sternbergii) which roamed the New Mexico portion of Laramidia around 75.3 million years ago and Anchiceratops (A. ornatus) which lived much further north (Alberta, Canada), between 72 and 71 million years ago, had been proposed for more than two decades.
This newly published paper names two transitional species – Navajoceratops sullivani and Terminocavus sealeyi, plus describes another new ceratopsid, simply named taxon C. Between them, these new horned dinosaurs help to fill the gap (literally) in chasmosaurine evolution.
Forming Links in an Evolutionary Chain – From Pentaceratops to Anchiceratops
The two new horned dinosaurs together with an undescribed taxon form a vital link in the transition of chasmosaurine ceratopsids linking Utahceratops, Pentaceratops and Anchiceratops into an evolutionary lineage.
Picture credit: Ville Sinkkonen & Denver Fowler
It’s All About the Embayment
The Ceratopsidae in North America during the Late Cretaceous (Campanian and Maastrichtian faunal stages), diversified and evolved into many different forms. Two great subfamilies emerged the Centrosaurinae and the Chasmosaurinae. The evolutionary links between these two subfamilies and between the genera associated within each subfamily, has generated a great deal of discussion. These dinosaurs are famous for their large skulls with their elaborate, extravagant head shields and horns. Palaeontologists use the differences in the shape, orientation and size of these frills and adornments to determine one species from another.
Navajoceratops sullivani and Terminocavus sealeyi Plus Taxon C
The problems recently highlighted with the discovery of a Styracosaurus with an asymmetrical skull notwithstanding, authors Dr Denver Fowler of the Badlands Dinosaur Museum and Dr Elizabeth Freedman Fowler (Dickinson State University, North Dakota), propose that these three new chasmosaurines, all from the Kirtland Formation of New Mexico, form a morphological succession between Pentaceratops from the older Fruitland Formation of New Mexico and Anchiceratops from the geologically much younger Horseshoe Canyon Formation of Alberta.
The Closing of the Notch in the Frill of Pentaceratops
A newly published scientific paper plots step changes in frill shape that suggests a line of evolutionary descent from Pentaceratops to Anchiceratops via several “transitional genera”.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Transitional Ceratopsids – The Shape of the Frills Backed by the Stratigraphy
Significantly, the scientists were able to plot a gradual change in the shape of the horned dinosaurs frills, essentially the gradual and successive filling in of a deep notch at the top of the frill (the embayment). Anchiceratops did not have a notch at the top of its frill and the researchers demonstrate that two new partial skull specimens found in rocks intermediate in age between Pentaceratops and Anchiceratops were also intermediate in shape, showing how the notch in the frill became even deeper through time and eventually closed in on itself, explaining the lack of a notch in Anchiceratops.
Writing in the open access journal PeerJ, the researchers note that this step change in frill shape is observed in chasmosaurines that do not overlap stratigraphically. This suggests that over hundreds of thousands of years, species evolved from a direct line of descent. In biology, this is termed anagenesis – the slow and steady evolution of species in a sequence that forms a direct line of evolutionary descent without any obvious branching.
Two New Chasmosaurine Dinosaurs from the Kirtland Formation of New Mexico
Two new chasmosaurine dinosaurs from the Hunter Wash member of the Kirtland Formation of New Mexico.
Picture credit: Ville Sinkkonen & Denver Fowler
A Five Million Year Evolutionary Line
The two newly named horned dinosaurs Terminocavus sealeyi and Navajoceratops sullivani along with other chasmosaurine specimens from the Farmington and De-na-zin Members of the Kirtland Formation (taxon C), form a sequence of horned dinosaur evolution, stretching over five million years from Utahceratops to Pentaceratops and on to Anchiceratops.
Navajoceratops sullivani is named in honour of the Navajo people who are synonymous with New Mexico. The species name honours the now retired, Dr Robert Sullivan who led the field expedition that resulted in the discovery of the Navajoceratops fossil material. The name translates as “Sullivan’s Navajo horned face”.
Terminocavus sealeyi translates as “Sealey’s closing cavity”, after fossil collector Paul Sealey who found the holotype and due to the fact that the notch in the skull frill is fully closed.
Holotype Parietal Frills of Terminocavus and Navajoceratops
Holotype specimens (parietal frills) of the two new genera, showing line of evolutionary descent and a not to scale silhouette to represent the actual dinosaur. Although the specimens are fragmentary, both include the diagnostic posterior border of the parietal which permitted evolutionary comparisons to be made.
Picture credit: Ville Sinkkonen & Denver Fowler with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur
An Evolutionary Split
The researchers conclude that fossil material previously assigned to Pentaceratops should be examined once more as it may not represent this taxon. Furthermore, they suggest that there was a splitting event deep in the evolutionary history of the Chasmosaurinae subfamily, after which the Pentaceratops lineage evolved a progressively deepening of the parietal notch in the frill, in contrast to a sister group, the Chasmosaurus lineage which evolved a progressively shallower notch.
The authors propose that encroachment by the Western Interior Seaway around 85-83 million years ago, effectively cut-off dinosaur populations, with a northern and southern population isolated from each other. This permitted two distinct lineages of chasmosaurines to evolve. When the sea retreated around 83 million years ago the two populations were able to mix again.
The Isolation of Dinosaur Populations
The isolation of northern and southern dinosaur populations during the Santonian faunal stage as a result of rising sea levels provides an explanatory mechanism. This mechanism in which high sea level isolated northern and southern dinosaur populations for a period of 1 to 4 million years, lays the foundation for an evolutionary splitting event and provides an explanatory mechanism for the apparent differences between northern and southern dinosaur faunas in the Late Cretaceous of western North America.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from Dickinson Museum Centre (North Dakota) in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Transitional evolutionary forms in chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaurs: evidence from the Campanian of New Mexico” by Denver W. Fowler and Elizabeth A. Freedman Fowler in PeerJ.
Saying Thanks to Subscribers and Social Media Followers
It has been a challenging time for us all (COVID-19), we are certainly a long way from getting back to normal, whatever the new “normal” might mean. We hope that all our customers and friends are staying safe and well. We want to pass on our thoughts and sympathies to all those people who have been affected by this outbreak. This is a very difficult time for everyone.
Acknowledging Subscribers and Social Media Followers
At Everything Dinosaur, we know how important it is to keep spirits up. So, we are offering our customers and friends a chance to win one of three, unique signed dinosaur books!
It’s our way of saying thank you to our customers, newsletter subscribers, followers and social media fans.
Running a Special Competition to Help our Customers, Friends, Subscribers, Followers and Supporters
Everything Dinosaur runs a special competition for its newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
We have three signed copies of the brilliant “Dinosaurs how they lived and evolved” by Darren Naish and Paul M. Barrett to give away in our free to enter contest. Simply visit Everything Dinosaur on Facebook, “like our page” and leave a comment suggesting a name for the dinosaur featured on the front cover of this exciting new book.
Win A Signed Copy of “Dinosaurs how they lived and evolved”
Win a signed copy of “Dinosaurs how they lived and evolved” by Darren Naish and Paul M. Barrett.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The competition closes at midnight (BST) on Sunday June 14th. We wish everyone the very best of luck in Everything Dinosaur’s special competition.
The competition is free to enter and open to all. As a special thank you to Everything Dinosaur’s newsletter subscribers, a special e-news bulletin was sent out informing them of the book contest and inviting them to take part. After all, it is not very often that you get the chance to win an autographed book about dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Book Contest – Win a Signed Copy
Win a signed copy of “Dinosaurs how they lived and evolved” by Darren Naish and Paul M. Barrett courtesy of Everything Dinosaur.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Signed by Darren Naish
Co-author Darren Naish has produced a special dinosaur drawing inside the front cover of each of the three books, making each copy truly unique.
A Truly Unique Dinosaur Book
Win a signed copy of “Dinosaurs how they lived and evolved” by Darren Naish and Paul Barrett.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To enter, just visit Everything Dinosaur on Facebook, find the competition posting (at the top of the page for the duration of the contest), “like” our page and then provide a name for the Tianyulong dinosaur that is featured on the book’s front cover. Remember, you have until midnight (BST) 14th June 2020 to enter!
In between the showers, team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to take some photographs of various different types of sauropod dinosaur model outdoors. We had been asked by a collector working on an educational project to provide some illustrations of Jurassic sauropods. Our team members were happy to oblige and we took several shots of various diplodocids, cetiosaurs, mamenchisaurids and members of the Macronaria. For example, one macronarian that has been photographed by Everything Dinosaur is the Wild Safari Brachiosaurus dinosaur model.
A Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model Going for a Stroll
Wild Safari Prehistoric World Brachiosaurus dinosaur model.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Wild Safari Prehistoric World Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model
Introduced in 2013, this Brachiosaurus figure is similar in colouration and design to the huge Carnegie Collection 1:40 scale Brachiosaurus that was retired back in 2007. This model, being much smaller, is more economical to produce and better for small children than its heavy and unwieldy Carnegie Collection predecessor.
It may not be huge, but this model still measures over 20 centimetres in length and the head stands a fraction under 21 cm tall.
The Wild Safari Brachiosaurus Model
A studio shot of the Wild Safari Brachiosaurus model which was first introduced in 2013.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The colouration and mottled markings on the Brachiosaurus certainly helped it to blend into the background of ferns. It is likely that newly hatched sauropod dinosaurs were camouflaged to help them hide in the undergrowth to avoid the attention of predators. Over the years, we have built up quite a portfolio of various dinosaur models and prehistoric animal figures. We were happy to email them over to assist with the educational project.
The Official Image from 2013 of the Wild Safari Brachiosaurus Figure
The Wild Safari Brachiosaurus dinosaur model (lateral view). The official model image from 2013.
An International Dinosaur Company
A photograph can say more than words, which is very helpful when Everything Dinosaur has many customers overseas. As well as taking photographs of various prehistoric animal figures it was suggested that we participated in the educational programme, providing information about the history of dinosaur research and talking about our own company. We get lots of requests along these lines and if time permits we try to help where we can.
The stomach contents of a giant armoured dinosaur which was named and described in 2017, have revealed what this herbivore ate just hours before it died. The incredibly rare fossilised stomach contents indicate that the 5.5 metre-long Borealopelta markmitchelli was a fussy eater, selecting one type of fern but ignoring others. The charcoal preserved with the stomach remains also reveals that this dinosaur was probably picking over the fresh growth following a recent forest fire, a behaviour seen amongst many large extant herbivores. Growth rings identified in a small twig inside the dinosaur’s body cavity suggest that this dinosaur died in the late spring/mid-summer.
Borealopelta markmitchelli Life Reconstruction – The Last Day of a Nodosaur
The last day of a nodosaur. Borealopelta markmitchelli life reconstruction. Stomach contents reveal that the dinosaur selectively grazed ferns in an area that was recovering from a recent wildfire.
Picture credit: Julius Csotonyi
The Cololite Reveals All
Writing on the open-access, The Royal Society publishing platform, the scientists which include Caleb Brown and Donald Henderson from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Alberta), along with colleagues from Brandon University (Manitoba) and the University of Saskatchewan, provide a detailed analysis of the stomach contents of Borealopelta markmitchelli, the most comprehensive direct evidence of diet in an herbivorous Mesozoic dinosaur, helping palaeontologists to better understand the palaeoecology of armoured dinosaurs.
Direct evidence of diet in herbivorous dinosaurs is exceptionally rare in the fossil record, but with this beautifully preserved Borealopelta specimen, the presence of a cololite (fossil stomach or intestinal contents), permitted the team to conduct a forensic examination of the dinosaur’s last meal.
The small ankylosaur Kunbarrasaurus ieversi from the Early Cretaceous of Australia, which was named in 2015, is described as preserving a cololite within the abdominal cavity (specimen number QMF18101). Whilst the Kunbarrasaurus material has proved not to be as diagnostic as the cololite associated with Borealopelta, its location in relation to the body, does help to support the idea that the football-sized mass found with Borealopelta does indeed represent stomach contents.
The Stomach Contents of Borealopelta and Kunbarrasaurus
Borealopelta stomach contents. Photograph (a) and line drawing (b) in dorsal view, with (c) showing location of cololite and body outline. Photograph (d) shows a close view of the abdominal mass, whilst (e) shows comparable line drawing. Kunbarrasaurus line drawing scaled to Borealopelta showing relative size and cololite position. Note solid orange, observed cololite; hatched orange, inferred cololite. A, anterior; L, lateral. Scale bars in (a,b,c,f) are 1 m, and in (d,e) are 10 cm.
Picture credit: Brown et al (Royal Society Open Science)
Analysing the Cololite
Seven thin sections of the cololite were prepared which permitted the scientists to examine the cololite at a microscopic level.
The last meal of Borealopelta consisted of 88% leaf material, with a 7% minor stem/twigs component. Ferns dominated the leaf section and the bits of twigs showed distinct growth rings. In one of the twigs studied, the outermost ring is incomplete, this provides evidence for the time of year when the dinosaur died. Based on the incomplete growth ring, the researchers conclude that Borealopelta met its death in the late spring to mid-summer.
Carefully Prepared Slides Reveal the Dinosaur’s Last Meal at the Microscopic Level
Wide views (top and bottom panels) showing abundance of plant material found in the histology slides of the cololite sample. In both, (a) sporangia, (b) leaf cuticle with stomata present, (c) gastroliths, (d) woody material, (e) leaf cross-sections and (f) sclerenchyma. Top, slide 3; bottom, slide 6. Scale bars = 200 µm.
Picture credit: Brown et al (Royal Society Open Science)
Borealopelta markmitchelli was a Fussy Eater
The leaf fraction of the cololite is dominated (85%) by leptosporangiate ferns (subclass Polypodiidae), the largest group of ferns alive today. Although cycad remains were also found, they only represented 3% of the total amount. Trace amounts of foliage associated with conifers was also discovered. The researchers conclude that Borealopelta was selectively feeding on ferns, preferring to consume leptosporangiate ferns to the exclusion of Osmundaceae and eusporangiate ferns such as Marattiaceae with incidental consumption of cycad–cycadophyte and conifer leaves.
A Model of the Nodosaurid Borealopelta markmitchelli
To gain an understanding of the ancient flora in Borealopelta’s habitat, the researchers were able to determine what food plants were available to Borealopelta by studying the fossil leaves found in the contemporaneous Gates Formation, a rock unit exposed in coal mines in the Rocky Mountain foothills. This rock unit also preserves trackways left by armoured dinosaurs and is approximately the same age as the sediments that preserved Borealopelta.
In addition, the fossils of a small mollusc Murraia naiadiformis has been recorded from both the upper McMurray Formation(B. markmitchelli is known from the marine Wabiskaw Member of the fully marine Clearwater Formation which overlies the McMurray Formation) and the Gates Formation, supporting the idea that there is a link between these two depositional environments.
Some charcoal fragments were found as well, indicating that this nodosaur was feeding in an environment that had recently been burned. This aligns with growing evidence that forest fires were very common in the conifer and cycad-dominated forests around the world during the Early Cretaceous. This may also suggest the animal’s feeding ecology is linked to forest regrowth after a wildfire, such feeding behaviour is commonly observed in large herbivores alive today.
Comparison of the Cololite following Thin Section Microscopic Analysis
Composition of the cololite following microscopic analysis.
An Armoured Dinosaur with an Exceptional State of Preservation
The scientists are confident that given the exceptional state of preservation of Borealopelta, the fossil will yield further information helping palaeontologists to learn more about the Early Cretaceous environment of Alberta and the behaviour of armoured dinosaurs.
Although, Borealopelta weighed around 1.3 tonnes, this nodosaurid was bristling with defensive armour. It was big, but in North America 110 million years ago there must have been a super-sized dinosaur predator capable of taking down such a monster. Scientists remain puzzled, here is an article that examines the beautifully preserved armour of Borealopelta and speculates on the theropods that shared its environment: The Armour of Borealopelta markmitchelli.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Royal Tyrrell Museum in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Dietary palaeoecology of an Early Cretaceous armoured dinosaur (Ornithischia; Nodosauridae) based on floral analysis of stomach contents” by Caleb M. Brown, David R. Greenwood, Jessica E. Kalyniuk, Dennis R. Braman, Donald M. Henderson, Cathy L. Greenwood and James F. Basinger published by Royal Society Open Science.
The Mojo Fun Brontosaurus Dinosaur Model Goes for a Spin “Turntable Tuesday”
For this week’s “Turntable Tuesday” YouTube video feature, Everything Dinosaur selected one of the new for 2020 Mojo Fun dinosaur models to go for a spin. It was a difficult choice as Mojo Fun has added a whopping sixteen new dinosaurs to their “Prehistoric Life” range. In the end it was the Brontosaurus deluxe that was chosen. When compared to the new Mamenchisaurus and Brachiosaurus, you could say that Brontosaurus won by a short neck!
Mojo Fun Brontosaurus
Going for a Spin the Mojo Fun Brontosaurus Deluxe Features on “Turntable Tuesday”
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur and “Turntable Tuesday”
The “Turntable Tuesday” video is a weekly feature on the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel. A prehistoric animal model is filmed at our bespoke studio on a turntable. This permits dinosaur fans and model collectors to get a three-hundred and sixty degree view of the replica. The objective of these short videos, all of which have to last for no more than two minutes or so, is to showcase the figure. These videos also give Everything Dinosaur the opportunity to comment on the prehistoric animal models and provide further information.
Ready for the Turntable The New for 2020 Mojo Fun Brontosaurus Deluxe Dinosaur Model
The Mojo Fun Brontosaurus deluxe dinosaur model ready for a spin. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The model measures around twenty-two centimetres in length, but in reality the figure is much larger as the neck is turned slightly and the tail is twisted as if this sauropod was about to give an attacking theropod dinosaur a swipe. The fact sheet that accompanies sales of this figure provides more information on the type species for this genus – Brontosaurus excelsus. The colour scheme is muted with greys and tans predominating.
There are plenty of details to admire on the skin, especially the texture of the neck and the folds located underneath the sturdy body. It may not be the most accurate representation of “thunder lizard” made but the model is robust and ideal for imaginative, creative play.
The Brontosaurus is one of three long-necked dinosaur models introduced by Mojo Fun this year, the other two being Mamenchisaurus and a new Brachiosaurus.
The Mojo Fun Brontosaurus Deluxe Dinosaur Model
An attractive dinosaur model the Mojo Fun Brontosaurus deluxe figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Find Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube video channel here: Our YouTube Channel (we recommend that you subscribe to Everything Dinosaur on YouTube).
Everything Dinosaur’s Videos Give Viewers the Opportunity to View Dinosaur Models at Some Very Strange Angles
The tail-end of the Mojo Fun Brontosaurus dinosaur model. It’s a case of “bottoms up” for Brontosaurus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To see the Mojo Fun Brontosaurus and the rest of the new for 2020 prehistoric animals in this range: Mojo Fun Prehistoric and Extinct.
New Mojo Fun Dinosaur Models in Stock at Everything Dinosaur
All sixteen of the new for 2020 Mojo Fun dinosaurs models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The models had been delayed due to COVID-19 but all of these exciting new figures are now at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse. These new replicas represent a substantial extension to the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct model range.
Sixteen New for 2020 Mojo Fun Dinosaur Models are in Stock at Everything Dinosaur
You have to hand it to Mojo Fun, sixteen new dinosaur models for 2020.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mojo Fun Dinosaur Models
The new models are crouching and standing Velociraptors, Allosaurus with an articulated jaw, a deluxe Baryonyx, Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Ankylosaurus. The Sauropodomorpha is represented by Brachiosaurus, Brontosaurus and Mamenchisaurus, there is a second Baryonyx, one with an articulated jaw.
A hadrosaurid Mandschurosaurus is also new for 2020 and along with the Troodon figure, it represents a genus which could be regarded as nomen dubium. Essentially, this means that there is some doubt as to the validity of the genera, after all, in the case of Troodon, this genus was erected based on an isolated fossil tooth from Montana (Judith River Formation).
Mojo Fun New for 2020 Spinosaurus Dinosaur Model
The Mojo Fun Spinosaurus deluxe model with an articulated lower jaw.
Amongst the theropod dinosaur models there is a Giganotosaurus, Spinosaurus and of course an obligatory Tyrannosaurus rex.
Designed for Robust, Imaginative Play
The Mojo Fun “Prehistoric Life” range now contains forty-three models. The addition of sixteen new figures represents a major investment in dinosaurs by the company and the number of new introductions is much larger than in previous years. Many of the individual figures are much bigger than their predecessors. For example, the new for 2020 Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex with an articulated jaw is approximately six centimetres longer than the Mojo Fun red hunting T. rex dinosaur model.
Mojo Fun Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models
Mojo Fun dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. The new for 2020 Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex deluxe with an articulated jaw can be seen on the left of this picture. A Spinosaurus (right) and the troodontid (far right) along with three Mojo Fun Tropeognathus pterosaur figures soaring overhead complete the scene.
Mojo Fun Prehistoric Life
The new for 2020 prehistoric animal figures represent a substantial development of this line of figures. In previous years, only a handful of new models have been added, but these figures along with the company’s plans for more replicas signal that Mojo Fun is going to have some exciting times ahead.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We hope that you enjoy the new for 2020 collection from Mojo Fun. These figures have been designed for robust, creative play and a number of figures have articulated jaws, which always enhances play value. It is a pleasant surprise to see some of the less well-known dinosaurs such as Mamenchisaurus, Mandschurosaurus and a troodontid represented in these recent additions to the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct model range.”
Everything Dinosaur team members are currently putting together a short video review of the new Wild Past Protoceratops (P. andrewsi) dinosaur model. Our intention in the video is to discuss the model and also to talk about the genus upon which the figure is based. After all, Protoceratops is one of the most studied of all the dinosaur genera known to science. However, “first horned face” can still throw up a few surprises. For example, the size of its orbit (eye socket), suggests the Protoceratops had disproportionately large eyes compared to other ceratopsians. Could Protoceratops have been nocturnal?
Protoceratops andrewsi
Size Comparison (Protoceratops andrewsi)
Protoceratops andrewsi was a relatively small dinosaur but it was one of the larger vertebrates associated with the Bayn Dzak (Flaming Cliffs) locality. Could it have been nocturnal?Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Protoceratops was a Tough Dinosaur!
Intriguingly, when the dinosaur fossil specimens collected by the Central Asiatic Expeditions from 1922-1925 (the expeditions led by Roy Chapman Andrews and Walter Granger of the American Museum of Natural History), from the Flaming Cliffs locality are totted up, over 90 percent of them represent Protoceratops andrewsi.
The Flaming Cliffs are the type locality for the Djadokhta Formation. Something like 108 individual dinosaur specimens were collected by the American Museum of Natural History field teams between 1922 and 1925, all but seven of them represented Protoceratops andrewsi. Preservational bias has been largely ruled out, it is therefore likely that Protoceratops was common in this habitat. However, both the Djadokhta Formation and the potentially contemporaneous Bayan Mandahu Formation, where the fossils of the second Protoceratops genus were found (P. hellenikorhinus), represent arid, desert-like palaeoenvironments.
Both Protoceratops species lived in extremely harsh conditions, an idea supported by the lack of diversity and the absence of large animals from the fossil record of both Djadokhta and Bayan Mandahu.
A Lack of Diversity and Few Large-bodied Dinosaurs Associated with Bayn Dzak (Flaming Cliffs Type Locality) of the Djadokhta Formation
The biota associated with the Protoceratops dominated Djadokhta Formation. Evidence that Protoceratops lived in a stressed environment with few resources. We have used a picture of the Wild Past Protoceratops dinosaur model to indicate the presence of Protoceratops.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Comparing the Djadokhta Formation and the Nemegt Formation Dinosaur Biotas
The lack of large-bodied dinosaurs and the limited number of different types of dinosaur are highlighted when these geological formations are compared to the Nemegt Formation dinosaur biota. The strata that forms the Nemegt Formation was formed in a much wetter more verdant environment.
Hadrosaurs, Titanosaurs, Ankylosaurids and Large Theropods Dominate the Nemegt Formation Dinosaur Biota
The dinosaur biota associated with the Nemegt Formation. Many different dinosaurs are reported from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation. The presence of large herbivores such as therizinosaurs, titanosaurs and duck-billed dinosaurs is significant.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The lack of diversity and the absence of large-bodied vertebrates from the Bayn Dzak location indicates that Protoceratops inhabited a stressed environment. Protoceratopsid fauna is associated with sediments from semi-arid, to desert regions formed from aeolian deposits in the main. During the time that the Djadokhta and the Bayan Mandahu Formations were being formed, much of central Asia was characterised by an extensive sandy desert with little surface water.
Protoceratops may have been quite small, but it was a very tough and hardy dinosaur.
