Everything Dinosaur has provided details of the Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The list includes dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals. Ten prehistoric animal figures that Everything Dinosaur stocks are being withdrawn. Items previously retired such as the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus and the Vagaceratops are now running low, as inventory in the distribution chain is used up.
Confirmation of Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The year when the figure was introduced is also recorded. Several figures that were introduced in 2020 are being withdrawn and they are now out of production.
The image (above) shows the models that are being retired. The Vagaceratops and the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus are also officially withdrawn, Everything Dinosaur still has these models available. However, we will not be able to replenish stock. Once current stock has sold out, that will be that.
The baby Pteranodon figure (S301329) and the tube of baby dinosaur models (S90075) are also being retired by Safari Ltd.
The list of retired figures and when the model was first introduced is provided below:
Uintatherium (introduced in 2018). Qianzhousaurus (introduced in 2020). Concavenator (introduced in 2020). Shringasaurus (introduced in 2020). Edmontosaurus (introduced in 2020). Diabloceratops (introduced in 2013. Deinocheirus (introduced in 2017). Psittacosaurus (introduced in 2017). Shunosaurus (introduced in 2016). Citipati (introduced in 2019). Vagaceratops (previously retired) Edmontosaurus (previously retired).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed, that at present there were no plans for Safari Ltd to retire any other prehistoric animal figures for 2023/4.
The spokesperson added:
“We are sorry to see these models being withdrawn. However, we will retain our current pricing policy and not seek to exploit commercially any model becoming rarer. We do like to alert collectors to model retirements, by doing this, collectors have a chance to acquire the model without having to pay excessive prices.”
Our thanks to dinosaur fan and model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the PNSO Albertosaurus. William wrote to Everything Dinosaur and explained how Albertosaurus was named and scientifically described. He commented that in 1905 Henry Fairfield Osborn had just presented his paper describing a new North American theropod Tyrannosaurus rex. The Albertosaurus genus was also erected in 1905.
The PNSO Albertosaurus dinosaur figure shown in lateral view. A dinosaur fan has submitted a review of this new PNSO theropod to Everything Dinosaur.
The reviewer added:
“Almost as a footnote at the end of his paper, Osborn named Albertosaurus sarcophagus. Named in honour of the newly founded Canadian province of Alberta from which the type specimen was unearthed. Thus, we see the founding of the first two great houses of the Tyrannosauridae to the south the Tyrannosaurinae to the north the gracile Albertosaurinae.”
PNSO Albertosaurus dinosaur models in the Everything Dinosaur warehouse. The model is supplied with a transparent support stand, a Sci-Art poster and an illustrated colour booklet. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Albertosaurus Reviewed
In the email to Everything Dinosaur, the reviewer praised the PNSO Albertosaurus figure. It was stated that this was an amazing and highly detailed sculpt. The choice of colour scheme and the firm, articulated jaw were highlighted.
William commented:
“Finally, I own a truly accurate yet handsome Albertosaurus with that special PNSO touch we have come to love. From sculpt to skin texture all fused with the natural warm skin tones no need of garish colours. Finalising in the wonderful yet unique horned head with a firm articulated jaw. “Wally” is captured as in mid stride as in pursuit no boring or dull figures that are vaguely standing but glimpses of a living animals as in life never boring or static is what all models should portray LIFE!!!!. Thanks Everything Dinosaur.”
The PNSO Wally the Albertosaurus dinosaur model has an articulated jaw.
Our thanks to William for sending to Everything Dinosaur his PNSO Albertosaurus dinosaur model review.
A fabulous dinosaur artwork created from drawings of children’s hands was spotted during a visit to a school to conduct a dinosaur and fossil workshop. The colourful dinosaur complete with big eyes and a pointed tail was on display outside a classroom.
A “handy” way to create a prehistoric animal in the classroom. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Dinosaur Artwork
During our many visits to schools we have seen numerous examples of dinosaur inspired artwork. This particular piece caught our eye, as its design meant that every child in the class has had the opportunity to participate. Drawings of the children’s hands made up the dinosaur’s body. In the bright and spacious classroom, the children had built prehistoric animal dioramas using shoe boxes to house their dinosaur models.
The Everything Dinosaur website is user-friendly and so easy to navigate. It is jam-packed with lots of prehistoric animal themed gifts and toys. There are drawing activity sets too. Perhaps you will be inspired to create your own dinosaur artwork.
A pair of limited-edition Haolonggood models are being offered for sale. These fantastic dinosaur figures are limited to a production run of just 150 models. The replicas are made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Each figure is supplied with its own beautiful display base. The dinosaurs featured are Daspletosaurus torosus and Pachyrhinosaurus. The models are in 1:20 scale.
Two limited-edition Haolonggood models. An amazing sculpture of the tyrannosaur Daspletosaurus torosus and a brilliant ceratopsian complete with display base (Pachyrhinosaurus).
Limited-edition Haolonggood Models
The two dinosaurs are due to be made in the autumn and should be ready for delivery to customers in time for Christmas (estimate).
Here are the details:
(A). 1:20 Scale Daspletosaurus torosus
A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale figure of Daspletosaurus torosus complete with a display base. Model measures 46 cm long, 14 cm wide and stands 19 cm high. Weight 3 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £299.00 plus shipping (September 2023).
The spectacular 1:20 scale Daspletosaurus torosus dinosaur sculpture.
(B) 1:20 Scale Pachyrhinosaurus spp.
A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale replica of Pachyrhinosaurus complete with display base. Model measures 31 cm long, 12 cm wide and stands 18 cm high. Weight 3-4 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £249.00 plus shipping (September 2023).
The 1:20 scale Pachyrhinosaurus limited-edition model in lateral view.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“As a way of celebrating the partnership between Haolonggood and Everything Dinosaur these two limited-edition figures are being produced. They are simply fabulous and only 150 painted figures of each dinosaur are available in the entire world. We have received numerous enquiries about them already. Haolonggood are building a formidable reputation in the model making market.”
Scientists have described the first dicraeosaurid sauropod dinosaur known from India. The dinosaur, named Tharosaurus indicus roamed northwestern India during the Middle Jurassic. At around 167 million years old, Tharosaurus indicus represents the earliest diplodocoid dinosaur described to date. It lived at least ten million years earlier than famous North American diplodocids such as Apatosaurus and Diplodocus, to which it was distantly related.
The fragmentary and disarticulated fossils consisting of vertebra and a solitary rib are believed to represent a single animal. The fossils were excavated from shale deposits just north of the village of Jethwai in Rajasthan State. The area is hot and arid, and it is known as the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert. The genus name of this new dinosaur references the Thar Desert, in recognition of the location of the fossil finds. The specific name honours the country of origin – India.
The fossil material was excavated from a bedding plane located at the base of the Fort Member (Jaisalmer Formation) with represents an early to middle Bathonian faunal stage deposition.
The Dicraeosauridae
The dicraeosaurids are a clade of small-bodied diplodocoid sauropods classified by their distinctive vertebrae with long paired neural spines. They are both temporally and geographically dispersed with fossils found in Africa, South America as well as China and the USA. The discovery of Tharosaurus extends their temporal range from the Bathonian faunal stage of the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.
A scale drawing of the first dicraeosaurid to be described – Dicraeosaurus (1914). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The dicraeosaurid illustration (above) is based on the Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus 1:35 scale replica.
The research team suggest that Tharosaurus indicus is a relic of a sauropod lineage that originated in India and underwent rapid dispersal across the rest of Pangaea. Writing in the academic journal “Scientific Research”, the scientists conclude that this fossil discovery provides new insights into sauropod diversity. It also has important implications for the origin and dispersal of neosauropod dinosaurs.
The Sauropoda is thought to have originated in the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic. The origin and radiation of the Neosauropoda and its major clades (Macronaria and the Diplodocoidea) remains contentious. Non-neosauropods were restricted to eastern Gondwana (Zimbabwe and India) and parts of Laurasia (China, Germany and Thailand) during the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic. This suggests that there were barriers preventing their dispersal to the Americas and the most southerly portions of Gondwana. Although preservation and sampling biases cannot be ruled out, neosauropods possibly appeared during the late Early or early Middle Jurassic. The geologically youngest forms being associated with the Americas and Asia.
Tharosaurus indicus – Helping to Clarify Neosauropoda Evolution
Tharosaurus indicus is among the earlier-diverging dicraeosaurid dinosaurs, and its stratigraphic age (Bathonian) makes it the earliest known diplodocoid dinosaur globally. The authors of the paper stress the importance of the Lower and Middle Jurassic deposits of India and propose that further fossil discoveries will help to clarify the evolutionary history of the Neosauropoda.
The scientific paper: “Fossils of the oldest diplodocoid dinosaur suggest India was a major centre for neosauropod radiation” by Sunil Bajpai, Debajit Datta, Pragya Pandey, Triparna Ghosh, Krishna Kumar and Debasish Bhattacharya published in Scientific Reports.
After receiving several enquires from customers, Everything Dinosaur can confirm that all Haolonggood figures will be supplied in Haolonggood model boxes. We have been notified that some suppliers have been selling Haolonggood dinosaurs unboxed. The figures are unpacked and removed from their packaging prior to be shipped. Sending a figure in this way, might reduce postage costs, although it increases the chances of the model being damaged in transit.
We like to give our customers the opportunity of being the first to open a box and to see the figure for themselves. It is all about the purchasing experience. Everything Dinosaur will send out Haolonggood models in their original product packaging.
A total of nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models were in the first shipment of figures from China. Ten different genera of dinosaur are represented. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Haolonggood Model Boxes
The Haolonggood model boxes incorporate superb model photography. We know that many customers purchase our models as they want a pristine figure including the packaging. Some model boxes are never opened, they are stored in a boxed, mint condition by the collector. The photograph (above) shows Haolonggood model boxes in one of the company’s packing rooms ready to pack.
The Haolonggood Allosaurus dinosaur models (Allosaurus Yangzhi and Suochao).
Meeting Customer Expectations
From the emails received, it seems that many Haolonggood fans have been disappointed when they receive an unboxed figure. Our customers can be assured that all our Haolonggood figures will be sent in their original product packaging.
A spokesperson for the UK-based mail order company explained:
“We appreciate how eager dinosaur model fans are for their delivery. We strive to pack and despatch parcels as quickly as we can and we ensure that the model and its outer packaging are well protected in the parcel. Customers can be assured that every single one of our Haolonggood figures can be sent out in its original packaging.”
A selection of Haolonggood model boxes awaiting packing up to send to Everything Dinosaur customers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Newly published research studying bird evolution suggests a link between complex skeletons and reduced biodiversity. As birds develop more complex anatomies, they also decrease in diversity, with fewer species as they become more specialised within specific ecological niches.
A newly published study suggests a strong link between birds evolving complex skeletons such as this specialised scavenger (vulture) and decreasing biodiversity. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Studying Patterns in Bird Evolution
Researchers at the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath collaborated with colleagues at the University of Lincoln, University College London and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their findings have been published in the journal “Nature Communications”.
The team looked at 983 species across all major groups of living birds and measured the complexity of their skeletons by comparing the bones in their fore limbs (wings) and hind limbs (legs).
They found that less complex birds – those with a smaller differences between their fore and hind limbs – had more species diversity than those with higher complexity and a larger difference between their limbs.
As an example, birds such as pigeons, gulls and songbirds (passerines) have low skeletal complexity but a high diversity of species living in varied habitats across the world.
At the other end of the spectrum, flamingos, and ostriches have short wings in comparison to their legs, and so have more complex limb skeletons. Groups with more complex skeletons may occupy smaller niches and are less able to subdivide those niche spaces in order to produce new species.
Trapped in an Ecological Niche
Whilst evolution can produce forms with lower complexity, these findings suggest that birds with more complex skeletons have become more specialised over time and so more developmentally entrenched. This may make them less likely to evolve back to become simpler again. In essence, Aves with complex skeletons may find themselves trapped within a specific ecological niche.
Could these findings be reflected in extinct bird groups such as the Phorusrhacidae? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Causes of Biodiversity
Professor Matthew Wills, (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) explained:
“We wanted to understand what causes some groups of birds to be species rich and others to be species poor – although ecology obviously plays an important part, it doesn’t account for the huge differences we see in biodiversity.”
Professor Wills added:
“The received wisdom is that there is no direction to evolution – that selection can act in any direction. Our study suggests that, in birds at least, the more they specialise, the less they are able to give rise to new species.”
A Case of Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket
The scientists also found that birds with more complex skeletons were generally more ecologically specialised, occupying fewer habitats and foraging for food in less varied ways.
Lead author of the paper, PhD student Andrew Brinkworth (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) stated:
“Species can evolve to be specialised, and fill very small niches. However, in doing so, they restrict the number of routes they can evolve further, meaning they are likely to be less resilient to changes in the environment such as those caused by habitat loss, disruption to food chains and climate change.”
Andrew added:
“From our findings we predict that birds with more complex skeletons and less diversity will be at greater risk of extinction from these changes.”
Wider Implications for Bird Evolution and Animal Life
The researchers intend to broaden their research to see if this pattern is repeated in other animal groups. It would be interesting to see if this relationship between complex skeletons and reduced biodiversity can be identified in extinct groups, including theropod dinosaurs.
Could such a pattern be identified in the Theropoda to bird evolution lineage?
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Bird clades with less complex appendicular skeletons tend to have higher species richness” by Andrew Brinkworth, Emily Green, Yimeng Li, Jack Oyston, Marcello Ruta, Matthew A. Wills published in Nature Communications.
The recently introduced PNSO theropods Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Megalosaurus feature in our latest newsletter. All three dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur after the latest PNSO shipment arrived at the warehouse. The Albertosaurus dinosaur model is the first new PNSO figure to be featured. Wally the Albertosaurus makes the headlines.
The new for autumn 2023 PNSO Albertosaurus (Wally the Albertosaurus) is featured in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Theropods
PNSO have recently focused on the manufacture of theropod dinosaur models. Tyrannosaurs have proved to be particularly popular. Joining the already in stock Daspletosaurus are Tristan the Gorgosaurus and Wally the Albertosaurus. In addition, the Chinese model manufacturer has introduced a replica of the first dinosaur to be scientifically described Megalosaurus bucklandii.
PNSO theropods in newsletter. The latest customer newsletter includes Tristan the Gorgosaurus and the PNSO Megalosaurus model (Edward the Megalosaurus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Both Tristan (Gorgosaurus) and Edward the Megalosaurus are supplied with a 64-page, full-colour booklet. Each model has a transparent support stand and both PNSO theropods have articulated jaws.
To view the extensive range of PNSO models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
Tyrannosaurus rex and Amargasaurus
The latest PNSO shipment contained a lot of dinosaur figures that had recently become out of stock. Team members were able to contact customers who requested to be kept informed about stocking levels. Stocks of the popular Cameron the T. rex and the Scientific Art Amargasaurus were replenished.
More lizard-hipped dinosaurs! The PNSO Cameron the T. rex figure and the new colour variant of Lucio the Amargasaurus also feature in the newsletter as these two popular figures have just come back into stock. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We welcome the new PNSO theropods. Furthermore, we wanted to make sure all our customers knew about these models as quickly as possible. There had been a lot of emails from collectors concerning these new figures.”
Researchers including scientists from University College Cork (Ireland) have demonstrated that fossil feather proteins can persist over deep time. Using sophisticated and highly sensitive X-ray techniques the team have clarified the chemical composition of feathers preserved in the fossil record.
Encountering a life-size Velociraptor replica at the Manchester Museum. The replica is part of a display that documents the evolution of feathers and the ancestry of modern birds. New research suggests that the protein composition of modern feathers was also present in ancient feathers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Identifying Fossil Feather Proteins
The study, published in “Nature Ecology and Evolution” provides a new perspective on feather evolution. Earlier research had suggested that primitive feathers had a different chemical composition to that of the feathers of extant birds. The new research reveals that the protein composition of modern-day feathers was also present in the feathers of dinosaurs and enantiornithine birds. The researchers conclude that the chemistry of feathers originated much earlier than previously thought.
The study was led by Dr Tiffany Slater and Professor Maria McNamara (School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Science, University College Cork). They worked in collaboration with scientists at Linyi University (China) and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in the USA.
The feathers of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus were analysed. In addition, the integumentary covering of the enantiornithine Confuciusornis was studied.
A life reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus. Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.
Commenting upon the implications of their study, Dr Slater said:
“It’s really exciting to discover new similarities between dinosaurs and birds. To do this, we developed a new method to detect traces of ancient feather proteins. Using X-rays and infrared light we found that feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus contained lots of beta-proteins, just like feathers of birds today.”
Fossilised Proteins
Fossil proteins are valuable tools in evolutionary biology. Recent technological advances and better integration of experimental methods have confirmed the feasibility of biomolecular preservation in deep time, yielding new insights into the timing of key vertebrate evolutionary transitions.
Keratins (formerly α-keratins) and corneous β-proteins (CBPs, formerly β-keratins) are of particular interest to palaeontologists. These proteins define tissue structures that underpin fundamental physiological and ecological strategies and can provide evidence to help map how feathers evolved.
As well as using infrared and sulphur X-ray spectroscopy to plot chemical signals, the team also conducted taphonomic experiments to help them to understand how feather proteins break down during fossilisation.
Dr Slater explained:
“Modern bird feathers are rich in beta-proteins that help strengthen feathers for flight. Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, found mostly alpha-proteins. Our experiments can now explain this weird chemistry as the result of protein degradation during the fossilisation process. So, although some fossil feathers do preserve traces of the original beta-proteins, other fossil feathers are damaged and tell us a false narrative about feather evolution.”
“A bird in the hand”, the Confuciusornis model from PNSO. The chemical composition of Confuciusornis feather fossils was analysed. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The image above shows a Confuciusornis model from the PNSO range.
This study confirms that fossil feather proteins can survive fossilisation, that these proteins can persist through deep time.
Senior author of the study, Professor Maria McNamara (University College Cork) commented:
“Traces of ancient biomolecules can clearly survive for millions of years, but you can’t read the fossil record literally because even seemingly well-preserved fossil tissues have been cooked and squashed during fossilisation. We’re developing new tools to understand what happens during fossilisation and unlock the chemical secrets of fossils. This will give us exciting new insights into the evolution of important tissues and their biomolecules.”
As predicted by the experiments conducted by this study, analyses of Mesozoic feathers confirm that evidence of feather corneous β-proteins (CBPs) can persist through deep time.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from University College Cork in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Preservation of corneous β-proteins in Mesozoic feathers” by Tiffany S. Slater, Nicholas P. Edwards, Samuel M. Webb, Fucheng Zhang and Maria E. McNamara published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Everything Dinosaur can confirm that the recently arrived Ouranosaurus figures WuJu and WuWei have thumb spikes. Yes, we have Ouranosaurus thumb spikes. The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus models in stock at Everything Dinosaur are the latest version. These figures have a thumb spike.
The Haolonggood green Ouranosaurus model (WuJu) with thumb spikes. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Ouranosaurus Thumb Spikes
The earlier production run of these models lacked thumb spikes. However, once this omission had been highlighted, the design team at Haolonggood set about correcting this oversight. The digits on the manus (hand) have been remodelled to reflect more accurately the fossil record.
Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video in the near future that demonstrates how the model has been amended.
Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video highlighting the thumb spikes on the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the Haolonggood model range. He highlighted the details found on the two Ouranosaurus models (WuJu and WuWei).
The spokesperson went onto add:
“We intend to post up a short video on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel featuring the two models. Customers have enquired about these Ouranosaurus figures and want to get the more accurate version with the thumb spike. Our video will highlight the thumb spikes helping to inform and reassure our customers.”
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
