Our thanks to editor Mike Fredericks who emailed Everything Dinosaur an image of the front cover of the next edition of “Prehistoric Times”. This quarterly magazine is published in the USA, but it has a worldwide readership and devoted following.
The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” features a thrilling encounter between a pair of theropods and a herd of sauropods.Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.
“Prehistoric Times” is aimed at dinosaur enthusiasts and collectors of prehistoric animal models and toys. Every issue has around sixty to seventy pages and it includes updates on the latest research, news and reviews of models and model kits plus interviews with artists and palaeontologists. Readers can submit their own dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed artwork and illustrations too.
The Winter Edition of “Prehistoric Times”
The winter edition of “Prehistoric Times” contains an article on dinosaur eggs by the influential American palaeontologist Kenneth Carpenter. The amazing German Neanderthal Museum (Mettmann, Germany), is explored including the recently opened Höhlenblick tower. This museum charts the emergence of humankind from our beginnings in eastern Africa to the rise of our species Homo sapiens. This fascinating museum is sited close to the location where the first fossils recognised as Homo neanderthalensis were found.
Issue 148 will include regular contributions from Phil Hore, Tracy Lee Ford and Randy Knol. The featured prehistoric animals are the early, amphibious cetacean Ambulocetus and the megaraptoran theropod Australovenator. In addition, there is a special feature on the trendsetting palaeoartist Eleanor Kish, also known as Ely Kish. This prominent artist sadly passed away a decade ago, but she leaves behind a rich legacy of wildlife art and illustrations of prehistoric animals.
We look forward to receiving the next issue of “Prehistoric Times”. It should be with us in a short while.
Scientists have identified a new species of tyrannosaur from fossils found in western New Mexico. The dinosaur has been named Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. Although it lived many millions of years before T. rex, it was closely related to it and around the same size.
A life reconstruction of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis with the contemporaneous chasmosaur Sierraceratops in the background. Picture credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis
The study, published in “Scientific Reports” postulates that the ancestors of T. rex originated in southern Laramidia. Where and when the tyrannosaur lineage that includes T. rex and its closest relatives evolved remains unclear. It had been thought that these theropods originated in Asia, or perhaps at more northerly latitudes of Laramidia. The identification of fossils representing a giant, 12-metre-plus tyrannosaur suggests that large-bodied, apex predators evolved alongside other exceptionally large dinosaurs at lower latitudes.
The researchers examined a partial skull (NMMNH P-3698), that had been excavated from a location in Sierra County, New Mexico. The fossil material consisted of a right postorbital and squamosal, along with a left palatine, a fragmentary maxilla and elements from the lower jaws including the left dentary. The fossils come from Hall Lake Formation (McRae Group). Uranium to lead (U/Pb) isotope analysis of a layer some thirty metres below the tyrannosaur fossil site is dated to 73.2 mya plus or minus 0.7 million years. This indicates that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis predates T. rex by approximately 6-7 million years.
Cranial elements of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698). Right postorbital in (A), lateral view; (B), medial view; (C), dorsal view. Right squamosal in (D), lateral view; (E), medial view; (F), ventral view. Note scale bars = 10 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
The skull bones, previously assigned to T. rex are currently on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS).
The left dentary of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698) in media view (A), lateral view (B) and dorsal view (C). The right spenial in medial view (D) and (E) the right angular in medial view. The right prearticular is shown in medial view (F). Note scale bar = 20 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Older and More Primitive than Tyrannosaurus rex
While the new discovery predates T. rex, the paper notes that subtle differences in the jaw bones make it unlikely that T. mcraeensis was a direct ancestor. However, it is assigned to the Tyrannosaurini tribe, which is defined by the authors as the last common ancestor of the Asian Tarbosaurus bataar and Tyrannosaurus rex and all its descendants.
Contributing authors on the study include researchers from the University of Bath (UK), NMMNHS, University of Utah, The George Washington University, Harrisburg University, Penn State Lehigh Valley, and the University of Alberta.
Ironically, it was the examination of horned dinosaur fossils from the same palaeoenvironment that led to the discovery of a new Tyrannosaurus species. In 2013, then-student Sebastian Dalman began to re-examine ceratopsian fossils, it led to a broader rethink about the dinosaur fauna associated with the McRae Group.
Dalman commented:
“I started working on this project in 2013 with co-author Steve Jasinski and soon we started to suspect we were on to something new.”
Careful Comparison with T. rex Skull Fossils
Analysis of the skull material revealed subtle, but unique traits relating to their morphology and articulation. Careful comparison with T. rex skull fossils led the research team to conclude that these bones did not represent Tyrannosaurus rex. This was something new.
Comparing skull bones of the newly described Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and Tyrannosaurus rex. Variation in the postorbitals (A–F), dentaries (G–K) and splenials (M–Q) of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (A, G, M) and Tyrannosaurus rex (B–F, H–L, N–Q). Scale bars = 10 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
As T. rex is known from multiple individuals, it is possible to show that T. mcraeensis lies outside of the range of individual variation seen in T. rex.
Co-author of the paper, Dr Anthony Fiorillo, Executive Director of NMMNHS explained:
“New Mexicans have always known our state is special, now we know that New Mexico has been a special place for tens of millions of years. This study delivers on the mission of this museum through the science-based investigation of the history of life on our planet.”
Size estimates for Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis put it in the same bracket as the famous and geologically younger T. rex. It is thought to have measured around twelve metres in length.
Fellow author of the paper, Dr Nick Longrich (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) added:
“The differences are subtle, but that’s typically the case in closely related species. Evolution slowly causes mutations to build up over millions of years, causing species to look subtly different over time.”
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and the Origins of T. rex
The identification of a new Tyrannosaurus from New Mexico raises the intriguing possibility that there are several more new tyrannosaur discoveries yet to be made.
Co-author Dr Spencer Lucas (Palaeontology Curator at the NMMNHS) stated:
“Once again, the extent and scientific importance of New Mexico’s dinosaur fossils becomes clear. Many new dinosaurs remain to be discovered in the state, both in the rocks and in museum drawers!”
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis expands our understanding of tyrannosaurs in several ways. Firstly, it suggests that the apex predators lived in what is now the southern United States at least 72 million years ago. Secondly, the Tyrannosaurus genus likely originated in southern North America then later expanded into much of the western portion of the continent.
Phylogenetic analysis supports this hypothesis. The analysis places T. mcraeensis as sister taxon to T. rex and suggests the Tyrannosaurini tribe originated in southern Laramidia.
Size, relationships and biogeography of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. (A), relative sizes of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698) and Tyrannosaurus rex known as “Sue” (FMNH PR 2081) and the type specimen (CM 9380). An evolutionary tree based on Bayesian tip-dated phylogeny and biogeographic analysis. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis Raises More Questions
The skull fossils assigned to T. mcraeensis suggest that larger, more robust and powerful tyrannosaurs evolved in the southern United States compared to the smaller and more primitive tyrannosaurs found further north.
For reasons as yet unknown, dinosaurs may have evolved to larger sizes in lower latitudes in North America. This body condition pattern is not seen in modern mammals. This newly described tyrannosaur was part of an ecosystem dominated by super-sized dinosaurs. For example, the giant chasmosaur Sierraceratops turneri was contemporaneous. In addition, the titanosaur Alamosaurus and an as yet, undescribed giant hadrosaur shared this palaeoenvironment.
Dinosaurs of the Campanian-Maastrichtian Hall Lake Formation. Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698), the horned dinosaur Sierraceratops turneri, a giant but as yet undescribed hadrosaurid and the titanosaur Alamosaurus. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Giant tyrannosaurs were able to spread north during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The reasons for this migration remain unclear. Perhaps the northward spread of giant herbivores such as Triceratops and Torosaurus created a food source that could be exploited by the very biggest tyrannosaurs.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A giant tyrannosaur from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of southern North America and the evolution of tyrannosaurid gigantism” by Sebastian G. Dalman, Mark A. Loewen, R. Alexander Pyron, Steven E. Jasinski, D. Edward Malinzak, Spencer G. Lucas, Anthony R. Fiorillo, Philip J. Currie and Nicholas R. Longrich published in Scientific Reports.
Images of the new Nanmu Studio giant ape model has been released. The latest figure is “King of the Giant Apes”, the ape is entitled “Fury”. This is a limited-edition, polymer resin model. The giant ape figure includes a stunning display base.
The Nanmu Studio new for 2024 King of the Giant Apes resin replica.
“King of the Giant Apes”
The model plays homage to the famous movie gorilla “King Kong”. Numerous films and franchises have been developed since the original RKO Pictures film was released in 1933. The creation of the character is credited to the American Merian Caldwell Cooper who produced and directed the film. The stop-motion animation was undertaken by special effects pioneer Willis H. O’Brien.
The limited-edition Nanmu Studio “King of the Giant Apes” known as Fury.
The figure bears the scars of many fights with other monstrous animals. It is depicted roaring and throwing a punch.
Tale of the Tape – Model Measurements
The “King of the Giant Apes” is in the Nanmu Studio limited-edition “Dragon Soul” series. Only five hundred figures are being commissioned. The model on its display base stands around 23 cm high (9 inches). The box dimensions for the figure are 31 x 15.2 x 32 cm.
Only five hundred figures are being produced.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that if the documentation and paperwork for export get sorted, then these figures should be in stock in the spring (2023).
Yesterday, Everything Dinosaur published an article about the newly described Cambrian marine worm Timorebestia (T. koprii).
Thought to be a stem chaetognath (arrow worm), Timorebestia may have been an apex, pelagic (active swimming) marine predator during the Early Cambrian. The authors of the scientific paper proposed that these marine worms may have been top of the food chain for millions of years. The evolution of arthropods, specifically the Radiodonta and predators like Anomalocaris may have led to their decline.
Examination of what was thought to be the gut of one specimen, revealed the remains of an arthropod (Isoxys). Hence, the theory that Timorebestia was an active predator placed high in the marine food web.
Amazing Artwork Depicting a Scene from the Cambrian
As part of the media release, a fantastic and dramatic artwork showing Timorebestia attacking a shoal of Isoxys was included. This illustration was produced by the very talented palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. A variety of taxa were included in the superb painting. These animals are associated with the fossil site, located in Greenland. The location is known as the Sirius Passet Cambrian Lagerstätte.
A reconstruction of the pelagic ecosystem and the organisms fossilised in Sirius Passet, revealing how Timorebestia was one of the largest predators in the water column more than 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Picture credit: Bob Nicholls
A Key to the Other Marine Fauna in the Timorebestia Artwork
Such is the complexity of the artwork used to highlight a potential hunting strategy of Timorebestia, Everything Dinosaur team members decided to publish a helpful key. Readers and therefore identify the different animals feature in the painting.
The Sirius Passet marine environment. The waters over what was to become Greenland was full of life 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Identifying the Prehistoric Animals
We have highlighted several of the marine prehistoric animals featured in the Bob Nicholls artwork.
The Key
1 = Timorebestia koprii (a pair of these stem chaetognaths), possibly apex predators in the water column.
2 = Siriocaris a primitive arthropod.
3 = Kiisortoqia a primitive arthropod.
4 = Kerygmachela a gilled lobopodian, probably closely related to the Radiodonta. It was probably a predator, but its mouthparts were very small indicating it probably ate animals much smaller than it.
5 = Kleptothule – an elongated trilobite.
6 = Isoxys – a primitive arthropod with semi-circular, bivalved carapaces. A very common fossil in the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte.
7 = Pauloterminus – an arthropod that resembled a shrimp.
8 = An amplectobeluid – an as yet, undescribed radiodont known from the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte. It was probably a predator and distantly related to Anomalocaris.
9 = Tamisiocaris a large radiodont that was probably a filter feeder.
It has been suggested that the arrow worms such as Timorebestia were gradually replaced as apex predators by the radiodonts such as Anomalocaris. The CollectA Anomalocaris model. A fantastic replica of an early apex predator. The CollectA Anomalocaris (Other Prehistoric Animal Models).
Scientists have named a new, probable apex predator from the Sirius Passet fossil locality in northern Greenland. Measuring in excess of thirty centimetres long, Timorebestia koprii was a giant pelagic predator. These marine worms may be some of the earliest carnivorous animals to have colonised the water column. The fossils are dated to approximately 518 million years ago and reveal a complex, multi-tiered marine ecosystem.
A reconstruction of the pelagic ecosystem and the organisms fossilised in Sirius Passet, revealing how Timorebestia was one of the largest predators in the water column more than 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Picture credit: Bob Nicholls
The image (above) shows a pair of Timorebestia (T. koprii) attacking a shoal of the Cambrian arthropod Isoxys. Several other pelagic (active swimming) animals are featured in the artwork.
Timorebestia koprii
The genus name Timorebestia means “terror beasts” in Latin. These marine worms were some of the largest swimming animals in the Early Cambrian seas. They had fins down the sides of their body, a distinct head with long antennae and large jaw structures. The species has been erected in honour of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI). It is an acknowledgement of their support of the field expeditions to northern Greenland.
Senior author of the study published in “Science Advances”, Dr Jakob Vinther explained:
“We have previously known that primitive arthropods were the dominant predators during the Cambrian, such as the bizarre-looking anomalocaridids. However, Timorebestia is a distant, but close, relative of living arrow worms, or chaetognaths. These are much smaller ocean predators today that feed on tiny zooplankton.”
Dr Jakob Vinther at the Sirius Passet locality in 2017 showing the largest specimen of Timorebestia koprii after it was found. Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther.
Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther
The Fossilised Digestive System of Timorebestia
Inside the fossilised digestive system of Timorebestia, the researchers found remains of a common, swimming arthropod called Isoxys.
Co-author, former PhD student at Bristol University, Morten Lunde Nielsen provided more information about Isoxys:
“We can see these arthropods were a food source for many other animals. They are very common at Sirius Passet and had long protective spines, pointing both forwards and backwards. However, they clearly didn’t completely succeed in avoiding that fate, because Timorebestia munched on them in great quantities.”
Fossil of Timorebestia koprii and an interpretive drawing. The scientists used a technique called an electron microprobe to map the carbon in the fossil out, which reveals anatomical features with immense clarity including its fin rays and muscle systems. Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther.
Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther
Arrow Worms
Described as a stem chaetognath (arrow worm), Timorebestia represents a significant discovery. Chaetognaths are one of the oldest animal groups known from the Cambrian. For example, arthropods appear in the fossil record as far back as 529 million years ago, but arrow worms can be traced back to at least 538 million years ago.
Dr Vinther has suggested that both arrow worms and the more primitive Timorebestia were swimming predators. It can be surmised that these marine worms were the dominant pelagic predators before the arthropods.
He stated:
“Perhaps they had a dynasty of about 10-15 million years before they got superseded by other, and more successful, groups.”
Luke Parry from Oxford University, who was part of the research team, added:
“Timorebestia is a really significant find for understanding where these jawed predators came from. Today, arrow worms have menacing bristles on the outside of their heads for catching prey, whereas Timorebestia has jaws inside its head. This is what we see in microscopic jaw worms today, organisms that arrow worms shared an ancestor with over half a billion years ago. Timorebestia and other fossils like it provide links between closely related organisms that today look very different.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A giant stem-group chaetognath” by Tae-Yoon S. Park, Morten Lunde Nielsen, Luke A. Parry, Martin Vinther Sørensen, Mirinae Lee, Ji-Hoon Kihm, Ji-Hoon Kihm, Changkun Park, Giacinto de Vivo, M. Paul Smith, David A. T. Harper, Arne T. Nielsen and Jakob Vinther published in Science Advances.
Whilst preparing a YouTube video on the new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus model, we frequently consulted one of our favourite dinosaur books. “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” by Dr Dean Lomax and Nobumichi Tamura first went into print about ten years ago. It is a comprehensive overview of dinosaurs from Britain. Around a hundred different genera are discussed.
We like this informative book so much that we made a YouTube short about it.
A YouTube short about the book “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” by Dean Lomax and Nobumichi Tamura.
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
Published by Siri Scientific Press this fantastic dinosaur book is available here: Siri Scientific Press.
When on the Siri Scientific Press website, just search for Dean Lomax and you will find the dinosaur book.
Recommending a Favourite Dinosaur Book
The book contains a foreword by the renowned British palaeontologist Professor Paul Barrett. It then outlines the early history of palaeontology in the UK highlighting the contributions of Mary Anning, the Reverend William Buckland and Richard Owen. Chapters are dedicated to different geological periods during the Mesozoic and the reader is taken from the Early Triassic to end of the age of dinosaurs.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that they were preparing a video on the CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus figure, and the book provided helpful information. “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” provides a unique account of dinosaur discoveries from the UK. The text and photographs of the fossils associated with Polacanthus foxii proved to be extremely helpful when devising the video script.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Polacanthus is a remarkable dinosaur model. It challenges perceptions concerning this armoured dinosaur. The model is devoid of pre sacral spines and there are spines on the upper arm of the model. Everything Dinosaur team members set out to understand the science behind this prehistoric animal figure.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Polacanthus figure.
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” and commented:
“The book is ten years old, but it still provides a detailed overview of the history of British dinosaurs. The beautiful pictures of fossils, particularly those of Polacanthus and other armoured dinosaurs provided invaluable assistance as we prepared our Polacanthus video script.”
The spokesperson went onto add:
“We highly recommend this book, it provides the first, comprehensive account on the dinosaurs of the British Isles.”
Everything Dinosaur will be stocking the new Rebor Dire wolf models. There are two colour variants of Aenocyon dirus. The “low roar” plain version and a colour variant that resembles an extant Gray wolf “Havallagata” version. Each figure will be supplied with three interchangeable heads.
The Rebor 1:11 scale Dire Wolf replica “low roar” in the plain colouration.
Rebor Dire Wolf “Low Roar” Plain
The Rebor Dire Wolf “low roar” has an intriguing colouration. It reminds us of the Gray wolf subspecies known as the Steppe Wolf (Canis lupus campestris), or perhaps the coat is painted to represent the critically endangered Red wolf (Canis rufus) of the southeastern United States. It is a beautiful model, and it is in approximately 1:11 scale. These models will work well with the recently introduced Rebor Smilodon populator figures.
Each Rebor Dire wolf model is supplied with three interchangeable heads.
The Dire wolf figure can be displayed with its mouth closed or snarling or with its mouth fully open.
To view the current range of Rebor models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Models and Figures.
Rebor Dire Wolf “Havallagata” Nord Version
The second colour variant is the “Havallagata” Nord version. It represents a Dire wolf in 1:11 scale. However, it could also depict a giant wolf in 1:18 scale, perhaps something similar to the fearsome animals which featured in the Game of Thrones television series.
The Rebor Dire wolf “Havallagata” Nord version.
The “Havallagata” Nord version is also supplied with three interchangeable heads. Collectors can display their figure snarling, or with the mouth open or closed.
Each wolf will measure around 18.5 cm in length. The height the figures is estimated at 9 cm.
Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus)
The Dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) is a recently extinct member of the dog family. It has an extensive fossil record, mainly from the Americas. An apex predator and hypercarnivore, it probably specialised in hunting Pleistocene megaherbivores. It became extinct around 9,500 years ago. Palaeontologists have suggested that climate change, the decline of prey species or competition from other predators including humans could have been factors in the animal’s extinction.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the Rebor Dire wolf models.
The spokesperson added:
“We are not aware of many Dire wolf figures. Congratulations to Rebor for making such splendid models. Both these Dire wolf figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in a few weeks.”
A new scientific paper published this week postulated that Nanotyrannus (N. lancensis) is a valid taxon. The study was published in the journal “Fossil Studies”. Several lines of scientific enquiry were explored, and the researchers concluded the fossil material ascribed to Nanotyrannus probably did not represent examples of juvenile T. rex.
One of the authors of the study is Dr Nicholas Longrich of the University of Bath. The other author is fellow palaeontologist Dr Evan Saitta, a PhD graduate of the University of Bristol and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago.
Everything Dinosaur team members created a short video to highlight this research.
Is Nanotyrannus (N. lancensis) a valid taxon? A new scientific study suggests that it is. Video credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The debate surrounding the validity of Nanotyrannus is likely to continue. Indeed, this taxon has attracted controversy ever since it was first formally erected in 1946 (Gilmore). However, model manufacturers have produced Nanotyrannus figures. For example, in 2021 PNSO introduced “Logan the Nanotyrannus” and Safari Ltd have made a Dino Dana Nanotyrannus (see below).
The Dino Dana Nanotyrannus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Safari Ltd.
Dinosaur fans and model collectors can discuss the validity of this taxon and perhaps these tyrannosaurs can do battle with other tyrannosaur figures animals such as Tarbosaurus and of course Tyrannosaurus rex.
More than twenty Tyrannosaurus rex specimens have been described. Palaeontologists are aware that this dinosaur changed its body plan dramatically as it grew and matured. A juvenile T. rex had a proportionately much smaller head, a slender neck and longer legs than the adults. This change in body shape is so dramatic that in all likelihood, juveniles behaved very differently than mature animals. They also probably hunted in different ways.
It is as if adult and juvenile T. rex were different species. If this is the case, then juveniles occupied a very different niche in the ecosystem compared to the fully-grown tyrannosaurs. This helps to explain the confusion over the taxonomy of all the tyrannosaur specimens currently assigned to Nanotyrannus lancensis/Tyrannosaurus rex.
The scientific paper: “Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea) — A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur” by Nicholas R. Longrich and Evan T. Saitta published in Fossil Studies.
The new for 2024 PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus replica will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in a few weeks. This Spinosaurus figure reflects some of the recent scientific revisions concerning this theropod. The model measures an impressive 32.5 cm long. In its bipedal stance the Spinosaurus stands 14 cm tall.
Striding across the landscape but with water close by, the new for 2024 PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus dinosaur model.
Aymen the Spinosaurus
PNSO have manufactured several Spinosaurus figures including 1:35 scale replicas. Aymen is also in 1:35 scale and it will be supplied with twenty sci-art posters. These posters feature several other members of the Spinosauridae family.
A replica Spinosaurus aegyptiacus skull will also be included in the product packaging.
The PNSO Spinosaurus figure is supplied with twenty colour posters and a replica Spinosaurus skull.
To view the current range of PNSO prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
The PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus will also be supplied with a forty-eight page, full-colour booklet.
Spinosaurus Model Measurements
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that the figure measured 32.5 cm in length and that the top of the head was around 14 cm off the ground. Based on the stated scale, this would suggest that Spinosaurus aegyptiacus reached a length of around 11. 3 metres.
The new Spinosaurus model measures 32.5 cm long and it stands some 14 cm tall. This is a Sci-Art figure, and the declared scale is 1:35.
This new Spinosaurus figure is longer than both the recently introduced PNSO Saurophaganax and Yangchuanosaurus models.
To enquire about this new Spinosaurus figure and to request a figure reservation: Email Everything Dinosaur.
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson added:
“Collectors can see how scientific opinion about this theropod has changed. Perceptions and views about this dinosaur are reflected in the changing PNSO Spinosaurus figures.”
Newly published research suggests that the Nanotyrannus genus is valid. Writing in the academic journal “Fossil Studies” researchers conclude that Nanotyrannus lancensis is a distinct species and that fossil specimens do not represent juvenile examples of Tyrannosaurus rex.
An adult Nanotyrannus lancensis attacks a juvenile T. rex. Newly published research suggests that N. lancensis is a valid taxon. Picture credit: Raul Martin.
Nanotyrannus lancensis and Tyrannosaurus rex
The scientists, Dr Nick Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath and Dr Evan Saitta, from the University of Chicago propose that Nanotyrannus was probably not closely related to T. rex. Their research indicates that Nanotyrannus was a smaller, longer-armed tyrannosaur with a narrower snout.
The debate as to the validity of Nanotyrannus as a taxon has persisted for decades. The first skull assigned to Nanotyrannus was found in Montana in 1942. Analysis of a skull bone from a previously unrecognised T. rex fossil coupled with a detailed bone histology demonstrates that specimens of N. lancensis do indeed represent adult animals and not juveniles of another, already described species.
The research led Longrich and co-author Evan Saitta to a previous fossil discovery. The skull bone is a frontal, it was at a museum in San Francisco but had not been studied. The researchers were able to conclude that this frontal came from a juvenile T. rex, an animal that would have had a skull about 45 cm long and a body length of 5 metres.
Frontal skull bone from a young T. rex. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
Dr Longrich explained:
“Yes, it’s just one specimen, and just one bone, but it only takes one. T. rex skull bones are very distinctive, nothing else looks like it. Young T. rex exist, they’re just incredibly rare, like juveniles of most dinosaurs.”
Comparing Growth Rates
Measuring the growth rings in Nanotyrannus bones, the researchers demonstrated that they became more closely packed towards the outside of the bone – its growth was slowing. It suggests these animals were nearly full size, not fast-growing juveniles. Modelling the growth of the fossils showed the animals would have reached a maximum of around 900-1500 kilograms and five metres – about 15 per cent of the size of the giant T. rex, which grew to 8,000 kilograms and twelve metres long or more.
Holotype Nanotyrannus lancensis skull (left) compared to T. rex skull (right). Significant autapomorphies in both cranial and postcranial fossils were documented. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
Dr Longrich commented:
“When I saw these results, I was pretty blown away. I didn’t expect it to be quite so conclusive.”
He added:
“If they were young T. rex they should be growing like crazy, putting on hundreds of kilograms a year, but we’re not seeing that. We tried modelling the data in a lot of different ways and we kept getting low growth rates. This is looking like the end for the hypothesis that these animals are young T. rex.”
Fossil evidence suggests that Nanotyrannus grew slowly compared to the rapid growth of a teenage T. rex. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
No Evidence of Fossils with Combined Traits
In addition, the researchers found no evidence of fossils combining features of both the Nanotyrannus and T. rex, which would exist if the one transitioned into the other. Every fossil they examined could be confidently identified as one species or the other. Neither did the patterns of growth in other tyrannosaurs fit with the hypothesis that Nanotyrannus fossils were juvenile T. rex.
The new for 2021 PNSO Nanotyrannus dinosaur model.
The picture (above) shows a replica of Nanotyrannus lancensis in the PNSO model range.
Nanotyrannus lancensis – Strong Evidence in Support of this Genus
Dr Longrich said:
“If you look at juveniles of other tyrannosaurs, they show many of the distinctive features of the adults. A very young Tarbosaurus – a close relative of T. rex – shows distinctive features of the adults. In the same way that kittens look like cats and puppies look like dogs, the juveniles of different tyrannosaurs are distinctive. Nanotyrannus just doesn’t look anything like a T. rex. It could be growing in a way that’s completely unlike any other tyrannosaur, or any other dinosaur- but it’s more likely it’s just not a T. rex.”
The researchers argue these findings are strong evidence that Nanotyrannus is a separate species, one not closely related to Tyrannosaurus. It was more lightly-built and long-limbed than its thick-set relative. It also had larger arms, unlike the famously short-armed T. rex.
Furthermore, the authors suggest that, given how difficult it is to tell dinosaurs apart based on their often-incomplete skeletons, palaeontologists may be underestimating the diversity of dinosaurs, and other fossil species.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea) — A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur” by Nicholas R. Longrich and Evan T. Saitta published in Fossil Studies.
