All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
11 12, 2021

Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops

By |2023-07-10T07:35:10+01:00December 11th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

In the Northern Hemisphere it might be cold and dark as we approach the depths of winter, but here are some pictures of the colourful Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops to brighten your day. The bright and cheery Wendiceratops model (W. pinhornensis), was part of the second wave of horned dinosaurs to be introduced in this series. The Beasts of the Mesozoic ceratopsians are all very colourful, the Wendiceratops, a replica of a Late Cretaceous, Canadian centrosaurine is one of the most spectacular and flamboyant models in the entire range.

Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops dinosaur model
The colourful Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops pinhornensis articulated dinosaur model (oblique anterior view).

Colourful Packaging Too

Even the box the figure comes in is beautifully presented with stunning artwork and the packaging incorporates some facts about this large, horned dinosaur that was scientifically described in 2015 (Evans and Ryan).

The Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops box.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops pinhornensis product packaging. The Beasts of the Mesozoic range of articulated dinosaur models has quickly earned a deserved reputation for its colourful and beautiful box art.

Wendiceratops pinhornensis Model Measurements

The Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops pinhornensis is a fantastic 1:18 scale articulated model. Palaeontologist and author Gregory S. Paul estimates that this centrosaurine measured around 4.5 metres in length and weighed 1,500 kilograms. The Everything Dinosaur fact sheet on this dinosaur, which is sent out with sales of the figure concurs.

The model itself measures a generous 30.5 cm long, from the end of the tail to the tip of the dinosaur’s broad snout.

Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops model measurements.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Wendiceratops model measures 30.5 cm long from nose to tail.

Described as a basal member of the Centrosaurinae subfamily, Wendiceratops roamed Alberta approximately 79 million years ago. Its fossils come from the Oldman Formation and a taxonomic assessment places Wendiceratops as a sister taxon to the geologically younger Sinoceratops (S. zhuchengensis) from the Shandong Province of eastern China.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article from 2015 about the discovery of Wendiceratops: Wendiceratops from Southern Alberta.

To view the range of Beasts of the Mesozoic dinosaur models available from Everything Dinosaur: Beasts of the Mesozoic Models and Figures.

10 12, 2021

Tarchia tumanovae – New Ankylosaur Species

By |2022-10-25T07:43:45+01:00December 10th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Scientists have named a new species of armoured dinosaur based on cranial and postcranial fossils collected in 2008 from the famous Nemegt Formation of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. A detailed analysis of the fossil material consisting of a well-preserved skull, vertebrae, ribs, part of the hip and a tail club has been published in the journal “Scientific Reports”. The new ankylosaur has been named Tarchia tumanovae and it is the third species to be assigned to the Tarchia genus.

Tarchia tumanovae fossils and line drawings.
Location map (a) of the fossil discovery in Mongolia with (b) a larger scale map showing the fossil quarry. Photograph (c) shows the specimen (MPC-D 100/1353) partially excavated with (d) a line drawing of the fossils in situ. T. tumanovae illustrations show known fossil bones in white (e) dorsal view, (f) left lateral view and (g) shows a skeletal reconstruction with dermal armour. Picture credit: Park et al.

Evidence of Injury and a Damaged Tail Club

A joint Korean/Mongolian expedition discovered the fossil material at Hermiin Tsav in the southern Gobi Desert. The ribs show signs of fracture healing and there are localised injuries on the pelvic bones. The researchers speculate that these injuries were probably caused by intraspecific combat. The pathology is consistent with tail club strikes. Intriguingly, the tail club of the skeleton also shows signs of injury. The tail club is asymmetrical when viewed from above (dorsal view). A badly healed ossified tendon on the tail knob handle is present, a possible injury caused as the tail was used during combat. Whether this injury occurred as a result of intraspecific combat or when deterring an attack from a theropod is unknown.

Noting a Change in the Diet of Late Cretaceous Ankylosaurids

The scientists noted wide muzzles are a character of low-level, bulk feeders, whereas those ankylosaurines with narrower muzzles such as T. tumanovae and the coeval, closely related Tarchia teresae were probably selective feeders. The researchers demonstrate that ankylosaurid diets shifted from one of low-level, relatively unfussy bulk feeders during the early Campanian to more selective diets as characterised by a narrower muzzle by the late Campanian/early Maastrichtian.

Views of the skull of Tarchia tumanovae with accompanying line drawings.
Photographs (a–d) and line drawings (e–h) of the skull of Tarchia tumanovae sp. nov. (MPC-D 100/1353). Photographs of the skull in (a) left lateral, (b) right lateral, (c) anterior, and (d) occipital views. Line drawings in (e) left lateral, (f) right lateral, (g) anterior, and (h) occipital views. The relatively narrow muzzle indicates that this dinosaur was probably a selective browser. Picture credit: Park et al.

It is not known why ankylosaurids show this trend towards selective feeding, although the researchers speculate that this change could have been a consequence of habitat change as the region gradually became less arid towards the very end of the Cretaceous. The research team also postulate that ankylosaurids evolved more selective browsing habits in response to the presence of bulk-feeding saurolophine hadrosaurids such as Saurolophus angustirostris and Barsboldia sicinskii.

Tarchia was a selective feeder
A diagram showing (a) a phylogenetic analysis of Tarchia tumanovae, placed in the context of geological time. Ankylosaurids from this region seem to have changed feeding strategies, (b), evolving narrower muzzles that indicate a switch from low-level bulk feeding to more selective browsing. Ankylosaurid fossils from the geologically older Bayanshiree, Djadokhta and Baruungoyot Formations which represent arid habitats tend to have broad muzzles, whilst ankylosaurids from the younger and more humid Nemegt Formation have narrower muzzles. Picture credit: Park et al.

The species name honours Tat’yana A. Tumanova of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in recognition of her contribution to the study of Mongolian armoured dinosaurs.

The scientific paper: “A new ankylosaurid from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia and implications for paleoecology of armoured dinosaurs” by Jin-Young Park, Yuong-Nam Lee, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Louis L. Jacobs, Rinchen Barsbold, Hang-Jae Lee, Namsoo Kim, Kyo-Young Song and Michael J. Polcyn published in “Scientific Reports”.

9 12, 2021

PNSO To Add a New Triceratops Model

By |2022-10-25T07:45:19+01:00December 9th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

PNSO are to add another version of the popular Doyle the Triceratops model to their scientific art range. The beautifully crafted horned dinosaur figure incorporates some of the very latest research on “three-horned face”. The stunning 1:35 scale dinosaur model will be available from Everything Dinosaur in 2022.

PNSO Doyle the Triceratops (2022)
The new for 2022 PNSO Doyle the Triceratops 1:35 scale model comes complete with a scale model of a Triceratops skull.

Updating Triceratops

One of the most famous of all the dinosaurs, Triceratops is a perennial favourite amongst dinosaur fans and model collectors. Despite having been named and scientifically described more than 130 years ago, (Marsh 1889), there is still a great deal to learn about this ceratopsian. For example, thanks to a superb fossil specimen found in Montana (USA) and now part of the vertebrate fossil collection at Melbourne Museum (Victoria, Australia), palaeontologists have a good idea about tail length and the skin texture.

The design team at PNSO pride themselves in trying to create accurate prehistoric animal models and they have incorporated some of this latest research into their 2021 reconstruction of Triceratops.

PNSO Doyle the Triceratops dinosaur model.
A beautiful model of a Late Cretaceous horned dinosaur. PNSO Doyle the Triceratops dinosaur model.

Detailed Skin Texture

Analysis of skin impressions has revealed that Triceratops had a unique arrangement of scales, unlike any other member of the Ornithischia. Preserved skin of a Triceratops specimen on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Texas (USA), indicates that this ceratopsian had substantial hexagonal tubercles (rounded, prominent scales) along with additional substantial (greater than 10 cm in diameter), tubercles with conical projections.

These skin impressions come from a specimen excavated in Wyoming and nick-named “Lane”. A formal scientific description has yet to be published but the photographs that have been made available suggest that Triceratops had skin somewhat reminiscent of a titanosaur like Saltasaurus.

PNSO Doyle the Triceratops model has an articlated lower jaw
The PNSO Doyle the Triceratops model has an articulated jaw.

Model Measurements

This new for 2022 Doyle the Triceratops figure measures 24.7 cm in length and the top of that skilfully sculpted neck shield stands around 10 cm high. The declared scale for this figure is 1:35. Based on this scale, an adult Triceratops would be estimated to be around 8.6 metres in length, which is within the parameters given for both T. horridus and the geologically younger T. prorsus.

PNSO Doyle the Triceratops (model measurements)
PNSO Doyle model measurements.

When the current PNSO Doyle the Triceratops figure is compared with the new for 2022 version, the figures are approximately the same height, but the 2022 version is around 1 cm shorter.

Triceratops Accessories

In addition to the superb dinosaur model, the 1:35 scale Triceratops is supplied with a detailed figure of a Triceratops skull, a series of science art posters depicting this iconic dinosaur, a booklet and a QR code which when scanned provides access to a video explaining the story behind the creation of the model.

PNSO Doyle Triceratops product packaging
The new Doyle the Triceratops is supplied with a display base, model skull, posters, art cards and booklet. A QR code can be scanned taking customers to a video that provides details on how the model was created.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that the model would be available early next year (2022).

To see the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

8 12, 2021

Spring/Summer End to the Reign of the Dinosaurs

By |2023-07-12T15:31:40+01:00December 8th, 2021|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

A team of international researchers including scientists from the University of Manchester have published new research on the extinction of the dinosaurs. The study of Hell Creek Formation fossils suggests that the mass extinction event that marked the end of the Mesozoic some 66 million years ago took place in the spring/summer.

To clarify this, the event took place in the spring/summer season of the Northern Hemisphere. This newly published study in “Scientific Reports” supports earlier work that examined the preserved remains of water plants which also concluded a spring/summer time impact of the extra-terrestrial bolide that led to the extinction of about 75% of life on Earth.

Spring might be associated renewal and new life, but this catastrophic event led to the demise of the dinosaurs, the pterosaurs and most of the marine reptiles.

The end of the non-avian dinosaurs.
An artist’s impression of the bolide about to impact with the Gulf of Mexico 66 million years ago. Newly published research supports the idea that this impact took place in the spring/summer of the Northern Hemisphere. Picture credit: Chase Stone.

Hell Creek Formation Fossils

The team led by University of Manchester PhD student Robert DePalma examined the Tanis research site in North Dakota, (USA). The Tanis site records the tumultuous impact event on a river system, it has preserved evidence of the scale of the catastrophe within the first few hours of the event. It provides a testament to the immense shockwaves that rocketed around the planet. The Tanis site is part of the famous Hell Creek Formation and it is regarded as one of the most highly detailed Cretaceous-Palaeogene (KPg) boundary sites in the world.

To read an earlier post from Everything Dinosaur about documenting the Tanis lagerstätte: Amazing Fossils Depict End Cretaceous Mass Extinction Event.

Commenting on the research, Robert DePalma explained:

“This project has been a huge undertaking but well worth it. For so many years we’ve collected and processed the data, and now we have compelling evidence that changes how we think of the KPg event, but can simultaneously help us better prepare for future ecological and environmental hazards”.

Examining a Global Event and its Impact on One Locality

Extensive research has documented the catastrophic Chicxulub bolide impact that hit the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) 66 million years ago: Most Accurate Date for KPg Extinction Event Established. The impact resulted in the most famous extinction event in our planet’s history, dramatically changing life on Earth and allowing the ascent of the mammals and eventually our own species.

DePalma added:

“Extinction can mark the end of a dynasty, but we must not forget that our own species might not have evolved if it weren’t for the impact and the timing of events that saw the end of the dinosaurs”.

The research team used a variety of techniques and lines of enquiry to document some of the finer details of this cataclysmic event, such as when did the impact occur. Multiple lines of evidence were explored including radiometric dating, stratigraphy, fossilised remains of biological marker species, and a distinctive capping layer of iridium-rich clay.

Tanis Deposits

It had already been concluded that the Tanis deposits represented the results of the seismic shockwaves and the resulting densely packed tangle of plants, animals, trees, and impact ejecta has provided an unprecedented opportunity to refine details on the KPg event, the biota that succumbed to it and the environment in which they lived.

However, time of year plays an important role in many biological functions, for example, reproduction, feeding strategies, host-parasite interactions, seasonal dormancy and breeding patterns. It is hence no surprise that the time of year for a global-scale hazard can play a big role in how severely it affects ecosystems. The seasonal timing of the Chicxulub impact has therefore been a critical question for the story of this mass extinction event.

The Iridium Capping Layer at the Tanis Deposit (Hell Creek Formation)
Robert DePalma (L) and Professor Phil Manning (R) at the Iridium-bearing KPg boundary clay layer capping Tanis. Picture credit: University of Manchester.

Growth Lines Examined

Growth lines examined in the exquisitely preserved bones of fossil fish confirm that all the fish died during the spring/summer growth season. This conclusion was also confirmed by isotopic analysis. The researchers used multiple additional lines of evidence to verify the isotopic data.

The examination of juvenile fossil fish, aided in part by cutting-edge Synchrotron-Rapid-Scanning X-Ray Fluorescence (SRS-XRF) carried out at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), provided a novel way of dating the seasonal variation observed in fossils from the deposit. By comparing the sizes of the youngest fish to the growth rates of analogous modern fish, the team predicted how long after hatching they were buried. Comparing this to known modern spawning seasons enabled the team to deduce the seasonal range that was represented by the deposit at the Tanis Lagerstätte. The bolide hit in the spring/summer seasons.

Co-author of the study, Loren Gurche (University of Kansas) commented:

“Animal behaviour can be a pretty powerful tool, so we overlapped even more evidence, this time of seasonal insect behaviour, such as leaf mining and mayfly activity. They all matched up…everything points to the fact that the impact happened during the northern hemisphere equivalent of spring to summer months”.

Hell Creek Fossils and the Remarkable Tanis Location

The researchers hope that their work in combination with other studies of the remarkable Tanis location will provide further insight into the KPg extinction event and facilitate a better understanding of the response of life to catastrophic global events.

Co-author of the paper, Professor Phil Manning (University of Manchester) added:

“The hindsight that the fossil record provides can yield critical data, which can be applied today, so that we might plan for tomorrow.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the University of Manchester in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Seasonal calibration of the end-cretaceous Chicxulub impact event” by Robert A. DePalma, Anton A. Oleinik, Loren P. Gurche, David A. Burnham, Jeremy J. Klingler, Curtis J. McKinney, Frederick P. Cichocki, Peter L. Larson, Victoria M. Egerton, Roy A. Wogelius, Nicholas P. Edwards, Uwe Bergmann and Phillip L. Manning published in Scientific Reports.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: The Everything Dinosaur Website.

7 12, 2021

Getting to Grips with Beipiaosaurus

By |2023-07-10T13:06:35+01:00December 7th, 2021|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

China is famous for its numerous feathered theropod discoveries. Some taxa that have been scientifically described for more than twenty years are still capable of providing palaeontologists with a new perspective on the evolution of feathered dinosaurs. Take for example Beipiaosaurus inexpectus, from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (Sihetun locality, near Beipiao), Liaoning, north-eastern China. It is a key taxon for understanding the early evolution of therizinosaurians and their close relatives.

However, since its initial scientific description back in 1999, only the cranial elements of this dinosaur have been described in any detail.

Beipiaosaurus scale drawing.
Therizinosaur drawing – Beipiaosaurus inexpectus. Despite having been scientifically described more than twenty years ago, only the skull material of this dinosaur has been studied in detail. A new scientific paper published recently has examined the postcranial fossil material associated with this taxon and provided palaeontologists with new insights into the evolution of this feathered theropod.

Writing in the peer-reviewed, open access journal “PLOS One”, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (USA), present a detailed description of the postcranial skeletal anatomy of the holotype specimen of B. inexpectus.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Beipiaosaurus inexpectus

The study incorporates two never before described dorsal vertebrae from the anterior half of the series. Based on these observations, and comparisons with the postcranial skeleton of therizinosaurian taxa named since this dinosaur was scientifically described, the scientists revise the diagnostic features for B. inexpectus adding three new possible, unique anatomical characteristics. The newly acquired data from the postcranial osteology of the holotype specimen sheds light on our understanding of postcranial skeletal evolution and identification of therizinosaurians.

When the paper came out, “Postcranial osteology of Beipiaosaurus inexpectus (Theropoda: Therizinosauria)” by Liao et al, Everything Dinosaur published a detailed blog post about this new research.

The earlier Everything Dinosaur blog post provides more information: Beipiaosaurus Revisited.

It seems our feathered dinosaur friends have a lot more to teach us and without giving too much away, readers can expect to see more posts about feathered dinosaurs on the Everything Dinosaur blog next year (2022).

To view figures of feathered dinosaurs including therizinosaurs, visit the models section of the Everything Dinosaur website: Feathered Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

6 12, 2021

Last Recommended Posting Dates (Christmas 2021)

By |2022-10-25T07:50:32+01:00December 6th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

There is not that long to go now before Christmas Day, if you have not started already, time to start thinking about Christmas shopping, especially if you wish to send something abroad. In a bid to help our customers, Everything Dinosaur will be extending packing hours once again in the run up to Christmas and we will continue to pack and dispatch orders for customers as quickly as we can, even arranging for collections from our warehouse on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  We try to do all we can to ensure items ordered from Everything Dinosaur are despatched as quickly as possible.

The table (below), is a guide published by Royal Mail with regards to the last safe posting dates for Christmas mail sent in the UK and overseas (2021).

Please note these recommended last safe posting dates also apply to our other international services such as tracked, signed and tracked and signed.

Posting dates for Christmas 2021.
The last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2021. Table credit: Royal Mail.

Doing our Best to Help Customers

The last recommended posting dates for some countries such as New Zealand and Australia have already passed.

Everything Dinosaur team members continue to do all they can to help customers. Please remember the dates listed above are guidelines only and they are the last recommended posting dates, as always, the best advice we can give is to post early for Christmas, in this way you are helping to ensure that parcels get there in plenty of time for the festivities.

To view more details about Everything Dinosaur’s postage and shipping: Delivery Policy.

Advice and Tips About Christmas Parcels

1). Remember to include the house number or house name with the delivery address information.

2). Check postcode/zip code details carefully. We do have our own automatic address checking software and we do all we can to check delivery addresses.

3). Before pressing the “submit” button to send an order to Everything Dinosaur, check the delivery address one last time, just to be sure.

4). Remember, with purchases from Everything Dinosaur, customers can write a message to us in the order message box. You can write in confirmation of delivery address or any specific, relevant information required to help ensure a rapid delivery.

5). If you want to specify a different delivery address to your billing address, our website allows you to do this easily and without any fuss or bother.

6). If you want to send an item to your work address, please ensure that you include the company name in the delivery address information. Once again, we will do all we can to check delivery addresses.

7). For deliveries in the UK, Royal mail are once again offering a helpful “deliver to your neighbour” service, if you let us know that the parcel can be left with a neighbour, this information will be added to the front of your parcel as part of our labelling procedures, remember to tell us the house number and we will make sure this information is put on the front of your parcel for you.

If you have a query about Christmas deliveries, or indeed any aspect of Everything Dinosaur’s delivery service please feel free to contact us: Email Everything Dinosaur.

5 12, 2021

Pictures of the Nanmu Studio T. rex

By |2022-10-25T07:51:22+01:00December 5th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members were asked by a customer to provide some pictures of the Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model Alpha, the brown colour-variant. The customer was looking for a Tyrannosaurus rex to represent a female “tyrant lizard” for a “Jurassic World” diorama.

Nanmu Studio Alpha T. rex brown in lateral view.
Nanmu Studio Alpha T. rex brown in lateral view.

We receive emails from customers asking for photographs and more information about the prehistoric animal models and figures that we stock, we are happy to help where we can.

Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model.
A close-up view of the Nanmu Studio Alpha T. rex in the brown colouration.

Packing Room Photography

Whilst Everything Dinosaur does have a studio in which to take photographs and to shoot YouTube videos, sometimes it is more convenient to bring a figure from our warehouse and take photographs in one of the order packing areas. The lighting might not be as bright, but at least customers can see images of the prehistoric animal model without the harsh glare of the studio lamps.

Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model (Alpha) in the brown colouration (lateral view).
The Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model (Alpha) in the brown colouration (lateral view).

It is usual for team members to take several pictures, showing the figure at various angles. A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that by taking lots of photographs, the customer could get an overall impression of the model’s quality and its colouration.

Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model.
Providing pictures of the Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model.

Pictures of the Packaging

As well as sending photographs of the Nanmu Studio T. rex dinosaur model Alpha, a photograph of the model’s packaging was also emailed to the customer. The box the model is supplied in might not influence the arrangement of a diorama, but at least it proves that the figure is the genuine article and new.

The packaging of the Nanmu Studio Alpha T. rex model (brown colouration).
The packaging of the Nanmu Studio Alpha T. rex model (brown colouration).

When emailing the images, we wrote that if the customer wanted more information or some more photographs, we would be happy to oblige. Everything Dinosaur team members do all they can to help dinosaur fans and model collectors.

To view the range of Nanmu Studio prehistoric animal models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Nanmu Studio Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.

4 12, 2021

Everything Dinosaur Reviews the New CollectA Edmontosaurus Model

By |2023-07-10T13:35:10+01:00December 4th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members have produced a video review of the recently announced new for 2022 CollectA Deluxe Edmontosaurus model. In our brief video, posted up on the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel, the narrator looks at the model and outlines the research that has led to the features seen on this figure, such as the soft tissue head crest and the prominent hoof on the third finger of the hand.

Everything Dinosaur takes a look at the new for 2022 CollectA Deluxe Edmontosaurus model. Video credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Third Video in a Series of Four

The YouTube video, which lasts a little over 12 minutes, introduces the new figure and examines some of the latest research into the Edmontosaurus genus. It is the third video in a series of four. Team members producing a video every few days highlighting the new model announcements made by CollectA throughout the month of November.

CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Edmontosaurus dinosaur model
The new for 2022 CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Edmontosaurus dinosaur model. CollectA had wanted to introduce a replica of this iconic Late Cretaceous hadrosaur for some time. This 1:40 scale dinosaur model will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in 2022.

Mummified Dinosaurs

The video looks at the remarkable research into one specific dinosaur specimen. A mummified Edmontosaurus specimen nicknamed “Dakota”. The narrator explains how “dinosaur mummies” are formed and looks at the particular circumstances that led to the remarkable preservation of the “Dakota” specimen, the fossilised remains of an Edmontosaurus annectens, that were found in North Dakota, hence the specimen’s nickname.

The fossil specimen “Dakota” is on display at the North Dakota Heritage Centre and State Museum and research into this remarkable fossil is on-going.

The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel is jam-packed with videos reviewing prehistoric animal figures, updates on the latest fossil finds, book reviews and hints and tips about model collecting. Subscribe to Everything Dinosaur on YouTube: Subscribe to Everything Dinosaur on YouTube.

Edmontosaurus Video – Question of the Day

The design team at CollectA had been wanting to create a model of this Late Cretaceous ornithischian dinosaur for some time. In our video, we look at the reason why the model has been given dark stripes on its flank and tail. We look at the fossil evidence for a soft crest and examine recent photographs that reveal that Edmontosaurus had an enlarged, weight-bearing third finger with a hoof-like nail. The narrator explains why the neck scales on the new for 2022 CollectA Edmontosaurus look very different from the scales seen on the rest of the dinosaur figure and accurate model measurements are provided.

Visit Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

CollectA Deluxe Edmontosaurus

As part of our planned engagement with our customers and fans of the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel we like to ask a question in our CollectA videos. For example, at the moment, there is a Deluxe Parasaurolophus in the CollectA 1:40 scale range, this is to be joined next year by the 1:40 scale Edmontosaurus, which brings us to this query – what other Late Cretaceous duck-billed dinosaur would you like CollectA to add to their CollectA Deluxe series?

We pass on feedback to our chums at CollectA.

A view of the head of the CollectA Edmontosaurus
A close-up view of the head of the Edmontosaurus replica with its prominent crest made of soft tissue. This crest reflects the evidence of a soft tissue comb reported in 2013 following the analysis of the skull of an Edmontosaurus regalis.

The new CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Edmontosaurus dinosaur model is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur next year (2022).

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe prehistoric animal models currently available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Models.

3 12, 2021

Festive Theropod Gift Ideas

By |2022-10-25T07:53:27+01:00December 3rd, 2021|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page|0 Comments

Searching for an unusual festive gift for a dinosaur fanatic can be a bit of a challenge. However, those hard-working and dedicated staff at Wollaton Hall, currently curating the Titus the T. rex is King exhibition, have it all in hand.

If you are looking for new and exciting stocking filler present ideas for dinosaur fans of all ages, look no further with Titus T. rex is King unique Christmas gift vouchers and official merchandise.

Titus the T. rex Christmas gift experience
Have yourself a “roarsome” Christmas and take the stress out of looking for an unusual festive gift for the dinosaur fanatic(s) in your life, with a range of gift vouchers and official Titus the T. rex is King merchandise. Picture credit: Wollaton Hall.

For Dinosaur Fans of All Ages

This festive season, give a gift like no other with a truly unique experience to visit the first real Tyrannosaurus rex to be exhibited in England for over a hundred years.

For a limited period up until, Friday 24th December – exclusive festive-themed ticket vouchers will be available to purchase from the Wollaton Hall website. To ensure delivery in time for Christmas, the last chance to purchase the vouchers will be Sunday December 12th.

Visit the Wollaton Hall website to learn more about the Christmas 2021 offers: Visit Wollaton Hall website.

A range of special merchandise developed to accompany the exhibition is also available, including a limited-edition guidebook which provides a comprehensive overview of the discovery of Titus, the on-going research into the specimen and gives a glimpse of life 66 million years ago in the Hell Creek of Montana. There are plenty of stocking fillers including pens, bags, t-shirts and a limited-edition hardback companion guide – all ideal for dinosaur lovers of all ages.

Titus the T. rex Skull and Jaws
The skull of the T. rex exhibit on display at Wollaton Hall until August 2022.

The Titus: T. rex is King exhibition at Wollaton Hall Natural History Museum (Nottingham), which runs until August 2022, is a once in a lifetime experience and the perfect gift for friends and family of all ages.

General tickets for TITUS T. REX IS KING are on sale now, set at £12 for an adult, £8 for a child (under 16 years), students and concessions, £32 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under 16 years) and under 3s and carers have no entry fees to pay. Excludes booking fee.

2 12, 2021

Sizing Up Tethyshadros Thanks to New Research

By |2024-03-10T12:00:03+00:00December 2nd, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Tethyshadros (T. insularis), which was formally named and described in 2009 from a superbly preserved fossil specimen discovered in a limestone quarry near to the village of Villaggio del Pescatore (Italy), had been thought to represent a dwarf hadrosaur. However, newly published research suggests that this Late Cretaceous dinosaur was not diminutive. Its body-size fits with the range in body sizes seen in other non-hadrosaurid Eurasian hadrosauroids.

The holotype specimen SC 57021 nicknamed “Antonio” represents a sub-adult. Writing in the academic journal “Scientific Reports”, researchers describe a second, much larger specimen SC 57247, which was discovered when “Antonio” was been excavated. The larger specimen given the moniker “Bruno” is much bigger and the original hypothesis that this taxon was a dwarf form is refuted in this new study.

Tethyshadros study.
Diagram showing the stratigraphy of the site and the approximate placement of dinosaur and other fossil finds at the quarry (a) with a comparison of the holotype “Antonio” now regarded as sub-adult and the larger, much more mature specimen “Bruno” (b). Map of Europe in the Campanian showing the location of the island where Tethyshadros lived, the black star indicates the position (c). Picture credit: Chiarenza et al

Insular Dwarfism

During the Late Cretaceous much of Europe was covered by sea. There were numerous islands and these fragmented landmasses were populated by dinosaurs, many of which were dwarf forms when compared with closely related genera known from other continents. This was accepted as fossil evidence for the “island rule”, a theory, famously postulated by the 20th Century polymath Baron Franz Nopcsa von Felső-Szilvás. He proposed that the limited resources such as food, water and space on islands would result in a reduction of the size of animals that lived there. These island dwelling populations would become smaller over many generations when compared to their continental counterparts. Nopcsa referred to this idea as “insular dwarfism”.

The palaeo-Mediterranean region is best represented by the Villaggio del Pescatore quarry as it preserves a record of the fauna to be found on one of these islands. In this new research, this location is critically re-evaluated as early Campanian in age. This is significant, as it means that Tethyshadros lived prior to the final fragmentation stages of the European Archipelago. Tethyshadros lived prior to the emergence of the dwarf European taxa such as those animals associated with Hațeg Island which is geologically younger (Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous).

Tethyshadros Fossils
The new skeleton of Tethyshadros insularis “Bruno” (a) preserving details of its cranial anatomy such as the nearly complete skull (b) exposing its braincase (c) adding important information for the anatomy and systematic of this taxon. Elements in black are reconstructed. Picture credit: Chiarenza et al.

Examination of the bones of “Bruno” (histological study), confirms that these dinosaurs were bigger than previously thought. The research team, which included Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza (Universidade de Vigo, Spain) and Matteo Fabbri (Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA), conducted a phylogenetic analysis examining the body size of Tethyshadros compared to related species. They discovered that the body size of T. insularis is within the range of the body sizes of other non-hadrosaurid Eurasian hadrosauroids

Tethyshadros was not a diminutive form, it was not a “pygmy” dinosaur. Team members at Everything Dinosaur have updated their Tethyshadros fact sheet which is supplied with sales of Tethyshadros figures.

Although “Antonio” and “Bruno” perhaps represent the most complete and best preserved of all the European dinosaur fossils discovered to date, Tethyshadros does not feature in many model ranges. However, a pair of Tethyshadros figures was added to the Wild Past series last year (2021).

To view the Wild Past model range: Wild Past Prehistoric Animal Models.

Wild Past Tethyshadros dinosaur models
The Wild Past Tethyshadros dinosaur models. Everything Dinosaur’s free fact sheet that is sent out with these models has been updated after the publication of the new T. insularis research.

The scientific paper: “An Italian dinosaur Lagerstätte reveals the tempo and mode of hadrosauriform body size evolution” by Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Matteo Fabbri, Lorenzo Consorti, Marco Muscioni, David C. Evans, Juan L. Cantalapiedra and Federico Fanti published in Scientific Reports.

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