Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the new for 2022 PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus figure. This new replica of the first spinosaurid to be described from fossils found in China has proved to be very popular and it is wonderful to be able to publish a PNSO Sinopliosaurus review.

PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis

In William’s email to Everything Dinosaur he exclaimed surprise that a replica of this spinosaurid had been produced by PNSO.

William stated:

“I was astounded to be honest but truly delighted! Never had I expected such a little known and fragmented fossil species would have received a highly accurate and superbly detailed PNSO figure but here we are reviewing Chongzuo.”

An Introduction to the Spinosauridae

In the review, it was commented that the Baryonychinae are members of the Spinosauridae family and a number of UK theropods had been assigned to the Spinosauridae. Commenting on the on-going debate about the validity of the Sinopliosaurus genus, William pointed out that Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis and Siamosaurus suteethorni might be synonyms as Sinopliosaurus is only known from fragmentary fossil material

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus Reviewed

William starts his review by examining the head of the figure, he states that the model has one of the most exquisite Spinosauridae head sculpts, a little longer and finer than a typical Baryonyx figure, which was probably used a reference. The placement of the nostrils is praised, and William highlighted the sagittal crest.

William commented that the head was

“Set atop of a superb but classical ‘S’ shaped spinosaurid neck.”

The Main Body

William’s review of the body stated that Chongzuo shares a similar Baryonychinae body plan. The presence of gastralia in the sculpt and the musculature of the figure was pointed out.

The neural spines giving this theropod a distinctive hump were commented upon William praised the skin texture and the tail length.

Forelimbs and Hindlimbs

The review continues with a statement that the Spinosauridae retained the three-clawed hands of their Megalosauroidea ancestors and the limb proportions of the Sinopliosaurus figure are highlighted. When commenting on the size of the manual unguals (claws), it was pointed out the one of the claws (digit I), should be larger and more recurved than the others. The hindlimbs are described as “outstanding” and a comment is made about the support stand (supplied) being helpful in stabilising the model.

Colour and Texture of the Model

The dominate colour is a russet beige with slightly lighter shading on the underside of the figure, the upper jaw is a grey colour and there are a series of stripes running along the flanks and to the tip of the animal’s tail.

When commenting on the sagittal crest, William states:

“A dash of yellow highlights the sagittal crest which draws the eye to it, the eyes of the model are jet black, and the stained ivory teeth look very natural.”

Model Measurements and Dimensions

Scale: 1:36.
Length: 11.7 inches.
Height: 3 inches.

Packaging and Accessories:

• Clear, plastic support stand.
• Illustrated 64-page booklet.
• A3 colour poster.
• QR code to a video link.

The reviewer went onto to list theropods ascribed to the Baryonychinae:
Baryonyx walkeri
Suchomimus tenerensis
Ceratosuchops inferodios
Riparovenator milnerae
Iberospinus natarioi
Vallibonavenatrix cani
Suchosaurus cultridens
Ostafrikasaurus crassiserratus?
White Rock Spinosaurus

Members of the Spinosaurinae clade were then listed:
Ichthyovenator laosensis
Irritator challengeri
Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis?
Camarillasaurus cirugedae
Oxalaia quilombensis
Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus

Sinopliosaurus Discovery and Classification

As with earlier model reviews, William provided information on the discovery of Sinopliosaurus and its taxonomy.

Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis/ Siamosaurus suteethorni

Classification:
Superfamily: Megalosauroidea.
Clade: Megalosauria.
Family: Spinosauridae.
Subfamily: Spinosaurinae.
Genus: Sinopliosaurus/Siamosaurus.

Time Period:
Early Cretaceous 129–113 million years ago.

Location: Southern China into North-eastern Thailand.

The reviewer then commented on the fossil discovery that eventually led to the proposal of a Chinese spinosaurid genus, the first in the country. He also hoped that further fossil discoveries would be made providing palaeontologists with a more complete understanding of this dinosaur.

When explaining the differences between different clades defined within the Spinosauridae it was stated that Members of the Spinosauridae exhibit a skull with a profile similar to that seen within the crocodilians. Baryonychinae have a greater number of teeth as compared to their Spinosaurini cousins.
But they all share the unique terminal rosette hook which sets them apart from all other major theropod groups.

All members have their nostrils held higher upon their skulls to aid with the hunting of fish.

Weight: 1.1 Tonne.
Length: 30 Feet.
Height: 14.8 Feet.

The reviewer concluded by exclaiming:

“PNSO have given us an example of Spinosauridae perfection with Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus”.

Our thanks to William for providing a comprehensive review.

To view the range of PNSO models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Museum Quality Prehistoric Animal Figures.