The two, new for 2024 Rebor Dire wolves will be coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur shortly. Team members have been informed that the shipment is on its way. The two figures are the 1:11 scale Dire wolf (plain version) and the grey version (Havallagata).
Rebor is introducing a pair of Dire wolves into their model range. One of the figures is the 1:11 scale Dire wolf known as “low roar”. The animal is shown in lateral view.
To view the amazing range of Rebor models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Models.
Rebor Dire Wolves
Each Rebor Dire wolf is supplied with three interchangeable heads. This impressive Pleistocene carnivore can be displayed with the mouth closed, the mouth open or with this fearsome predator snarling. Recently published research (Perri et al 2021), demonstrated that the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) was not closely related to the Grey wolf.
The second Rebor A. dirus figure is known as “Havallagata”. It has a grey colouration. It can be displayed as a 1:11 scale Dire wolf model or as a 1:18 scale fantasy wolf figure.
The Rebor Dire wolf Havallagata Nord version.The animal is depicted in lateral view.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that both figures were on their way.
“We do not know quite when these Dire wolves will arrive. However, customers can be assured that as soon as the delivery arrives at our warehouse, we will get these models on-line.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that Everything Dinosaur customers will receive a Dire wolf fact sheet. This fact sheet will be sent out with the dire wolf models. It has been researched and written by Everything Dinosaur team members. It will also include a scale drawing of a Aenocyon dirus.
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Issue 148 of “Prehistoric Times” magazine is jam-packed with interesting articles, amazing drawings and fascinating features. Fans of human evolution are treated to a personal tour of some of the exhibits on display at the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). Our guide Dr Andreas Forrer visits the site where the first Homo neanderthalensis bones were found in 1856. Dr Forrer brings us up to date on genetic research that might lead to the generation of Neanderthal tissue in a laboratory. These cells would be used to research into the development of the human immune system.
The front cover artwork for issue 148 was supplied by Jaime Chirios. A herd of titanosaurs (Saltasaurus australis) is being pursued by a pack of abelisaurids (Quilmesaurus curriei). It is a most dramatic prehistoric scene. The complete illustration can be found inside the magazine along with another stunning piece of art from Jaime Chirios depicting Carcharodontosaurus feeding.
The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” features a thrilling encounter between a pair of theropods and a herd of sauropods. Picture credit: Mike Fredericks/Jaime Chirios.
Zdeněk Burian and Sparassodonts
Jon Lavas continues his series highlighting the contribution to palaeoart made by Zdeněk Burian. Prehistoric mammals have been the focus of recent articles and in issue 148 he looks at the enigmatic Sparassodonts, (Sparassodonta). These carnivorous mammals were related to marsupials and as Lavas points out, they are not often featured in prehistoric art. On the subject of art, famous palaeoartist Jon Sibbick wrote to the magazine editor confirming that after a long and illustrious career, he would not be undertaking any more commercial projects.
There is a lot of reader submitted artwork throughout the magazine including some delightful illustrations of prehistoric animals from Asbury Park High School pupils. The photograph of the artwork laid out on the floor reminded us of the many hundreds of dinosaur illustrations we received when Everything Dinosaur team members worked in schools.
Dinosaur drawings presented to Everything Dinosaur from schoolchildren. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Ambulocetus and Australovenator
Phil Hore provides the text for the articles on the two featured prehistoric animals Ambulocetus and Australovenator. There are some marvellous reader submitted artwork on the ancestor of whales. Congratulations to Anders Bang, Giovanni De Benedictis and Nick Papadimitriou. Tim Bollinger provides an Australovenator in lateral view, whilst Ethan Martinicky illustrates a pair in the rain with a pterosaur in close attendance. Kevin Hedgpeth chose to draw an Australovenator skull, and it is a splendid illustration.
Tracy Lee Ford continues his series looking at the skin of sauropods and regular contributor Randy Knol looks at models of prehistoric animals from the Permian and highlights some of the smaller figures from PNSO. He also discusses marine reptile figures with a focus on some CollectA marine reptiles. Editor Mike Fredericks brings us news of new CollectA and Safari model releases including the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor that recently arrived at Everything Dinosaur.
Unpacking the new Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor dinosaur model. Editor Mike Fredericks features this figure in his “What’s new in Review” feature. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The sad passing of Dr Martin G. Lockley is noted, and our sympathies go out to his colleagues, family and friends.
I Found a Dinosaur Egg
Kenneth Carpenter (University of Colorado Museum of Natural History) provides an identification guide to dinosaur eggs. He comments upon the numerous times he has been presented with an abraded pebble by a member of the public who is convinced that they have found a dinosaur egg.
This happens to Everything Dinosaur team members too. We get sent images of all kinds of rounded objects and we patiently explain that this is a concretion, a nodule or something similar. We do our best not to disappoint the finder and for fans of prehistoric animals you will not be disappointed with the extensive “Paleonews” section in the magazine. Recent news stories about dinosaurs living in burrows, mosasaurs from Morocco and megaraptorids from Australia are covered. The huge Dorset pliosaur skull that was the subject of a recent television documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough is also featured.
Take a look at the article on the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden, Netherlands) by Paul McFarland. There are some fabulous photographs of prehistoric animal skeletons on display.
Thanks to artist Fabio Pastori for his wonderful illustrations. It was also a treat to view some more artwork from Ely Kish included in the magazine.
Our congratulations to all involved in “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 148. As always, this quarterly magazine is crammed full of amazing artwork and fascinating features.
A new 1:20 scale Polacanthus foxii model will be added to the CollectA Deluxe range this year. This armoured dinosaur was named in 1865. At the time, it was one of only a handful of armoured dinosaurs known to science. It was named before Stegosaurus (Marsh 1877) and Ankylosaurus (Brown 1908). The CollectA Polacanthus model represents the very latest scientific interpretation of this iconic dinosaur.
The Sacral Shield
This dinosaur is famous for its shield of armour located over the hips (sacral shield). This fused sheet of dermal armour was repaired and restored by Caleb Barlow (1882). He did a remarkable job considering the fossils had deteriorated and the work was regarded as a “hopeless undertaking” by the geologist John Whitaker Hulke. Most descriptions of the osteoderms and raised bosses associated with this sacral shield refer to four rows of osteoderms on each side of this pelvic shield. However, these features do not seem to be present in the fossil material.
A close-up view of the sacral shield on the CollectA Polacanthus model. Damaged spikes are highlighted by red arrows. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The shield on the CollectA Polacanthus model does reflect the morphology of the fossil material. It closely follows the layout of dermal armour as indicated in lithographs of the actual fossils that were produced in the late 19th century.
Hulke described the specimen based on the restored material in 1887. The Hungarian polymath Franz Nopcsa created the first skeletal reconstruction and hypothesised that tail armour consisted of eleven rows of parallel spines that became smaller towards the distal end of the tail. The CollectA Polacanthus model has eleven rows of caudal spines. However, unlike Nopsca’s illustration, the armour is orientated horizontally reflecting the arrangement of tail armour associated with better known nodosaurids like Gastonia burgei.
He also suggested that there were two rows of upward pointing presacral spines. The first reconstruction of the skeleton occurred in 1905 when the fragmentary fossils of P. foxii were put on public display.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Polacanthus figure. The model lacks presacral spines. Whilst the configuration of dermal armour remains unknown, it is likely that the spines and spikes were located on the flanks and were directed outwards rather than upwards.
CollectA Polacanthus Model
The CollectA Polacanthus model does not have vertically orientated presacral spines. Instead, the model has spines that are located on the flank and point outwards. This is a more modern depiction of the armour and reflects the fact that much of the fossil material previously associated with this genus has been reassigned.
An illustration of Polacanthus from circa 1950. Polacanthus is depicted as lizard-like with round, conical and upward pointing armoured spikes. This reconstruction of Polacanthus foxii is now regarded as outdated. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The CollectA Polacanthus model is due in stock at Everything Dinosaur later this year.
Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a Tlatolophus galorum scale drawing. It will be used on a fact sheet being created that will be sent out with sales of Tlatolophus models. The fact sheet is being prepared as the Haolonggood Tlatolophus figures are due to arrive soon.
A scale drawing of the lambeosaurine dinosaur Tlatolophus galorum. This duck-billed dinosaur is estimated to have grown to a length of around eight metres. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Tlatolophus galorum
A beautifully preserved and semi-articulated hadrosaur tail was excavated from Campanian-aged deposits of the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (Coahuila, Mexico). Fieldwork revealed extensive fossil material and this duck-billed dinosaur was formally named and described in 2021 (Ramírez-Velasco et al).
The genus name Tlatolophus is pronounced Tlat-to-lo-fus.
This name is derived from a local dialect (Náhuatl), and it translates as “word”. In addition, the genus name uses the Greek lophos “crest”. The etymology relates to this dinosaur’s head crest being similar to a symbol in the Aztec culture resembling an inverse comma that means “word”.
The species or trivial name honours the philanthropist Jesús Garza Arocha and recognises the assistance of the López family, who helped the palaeontologists by providing food and accommodation during the field seasons.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We will complete the Tlatolophus galorum fact sheet shortly. It will be ready for the arrival of the Haolonggood figures which are expected in about twenty days or so.”
At Everything Dinosaur, we like to help customers. For example, we were contacted by a Rebor model fan who asked whether the Rebor Triceratops Trident King figure could be displayed on a Rebor diorama display base. Two Triceratops models in 1:35 scale were introduced into this range in 2022. Rebor also added two, beautiful model display bases that year. These bases were named “summer kisses” and “winter tears”.
We were happy to take some photographs and send them to the customer.
The Rebor Triceratops Trident King figure on the “Summer Kisses” Rebor diorama display base. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Rebor Triceratops Model on a “Summer Kisses” Display Base
We selected the “summer kisses” display base for our Triceratops Trident King model. The display bases are sold as a pair. They each measure twenty centimetres in length and are twelve and a half centimetres wide. The stunning tree stump on the base is around nine centimetres high. Several photographs were emailed to the customer, each one providing a different view of the Triceratops figure on the display base.
A Triceratops model on the “Summer Kisses” diorama display base (dorsal view). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of Rebor models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Replicas and Figures.
Providing Advice to Customers
Team members are happy to provide advice for customers. We are frequently asked to take photographs of figures or to provide more detailed measurements of models. Enquiries about the declared scale of models are answered too. After all, we are also dinosaur model collectors.
Triceratops from Rebor displayed on the “Summer Kisses” diorama display base. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
If you have a query regarding prehistoric animal models or figures email Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.
The eurypterids were an extremely successful group of arthropods. These animals are often referred to as “sea scorpions”. However, their taxonomic relationship to extant scorpions remains unclear and they were not confined to marine environments. These invertebrates are members of the Subphylum Chelicerata (claw horns) and are members of the Eurypterida Order. Approximately 250 different species have been named. One of the fascinating aspects of eurypterids is understanding how they breathed.
A fossil of a sea scorpion (eurypterid) on display at the Manchester Museum. Note the pointed end segment (telson). Probably an example of the Silurian eurypterid Eurypterus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
How Did Eurypterids Breathe?
Most palaeontologists believe that eurypterids evolved in marine environments. However, fossils have been found in association with estuarine and freshwater environments. Carboniferous trackways suggest that some eurypterids may have been amphibious and able to spend some time on land.
No eurypterid is thought to have been wholly or primarily terrestrial. There is some remarkable fossil evidence to suggest that they did evolve air-breathing organs. When discussing respiration, it is thought that the primary organs of aquatic respiration are likely to have been retained at least in part.
The extant horseshoe crab (Limulus) may provide an analogue. These animals inhabit marine environments although they do venture into shallow water to mate and onto the shore to lay eggs. Horseshoe crabs have five pairs of gills located on their abdomen (Opisthosoma). Each pair of gills consists of flap-like structures covering a series of membranes that resemble the pages from a book. These are called lamellae, but their morphology has given rise to the popular term “book lungs”. Oxygen is absorbed via gaseous exchange on the surface area of the lamellae.
The CollectA Horseshoe crab model in ventral view (view of the underside). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The image (above) shows a ventral view of the popular CollectA horseshoe crab model.
Debate still continues as to whether eurypterids had four pairs of book gills or five. A specimen of Onychopterella augusti from Late Ordovician strata located in South Africa preserved four pairs of vertical book gills. The book gills were located in the third to sixth segments of the abdomen. It has been suggested that all eurypterids had four pairs of book gills rather than the five pairs seen in xiphosurans such as horseshoe crabs.
Terrestrial scorpions also have four pairs of vertically orientated book lungs, located in the third to sixth body segments. It is not known whether this is case of synapomorphy (shared characteristic different from that of their latest common ancestor). This anatomical similarity could indicate that scorpions (Order Scorpiones) are more closely related to eurypterids than previously thought. The phylogenetic relationship between eurypterids and other members of the Arthropoda remains controversial.
Pancaked Sea Scorpion Fossils
Unfortunately, most fossil specimens of eurypterids are squashed flat and may only represent exuviae (shed exoskeletons after moulting [ecdysis]).
Examples of the Pterygotioidea eurypterid lineage. Note the flattened, blade-like telson that probably helped with propulsion or acted like a rudder helping to steer the animal through the water. The fossils represent Pterygotus anglicus. A pair of beautiful sea scorpion fossils. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A team of scientists have described new specimens of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis a bizarre, Triassic marine reptile. First scientifically described in 2003 (Li Chun), this new study has permitted scientists to construct the enormous neck of this animal in detail.
Measuring up to five metres in length, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis had an extremely long and flexible neck. The neck contains a total of thirty-two vertebrae. Tanystropheus in contrast, had thirteen cervical vertebrae. In some specimens the neck is 1.7 metres in length. It is much longer than the animal’s torso. The researchers compare D. orientalis to the Tanystropheus taxon. Tanystropheus is known from the Middle Triassic of Europe and China. Whilst Tanystropheus and Dinocephalosaurus had similar body shapes, these reptiles were not closely related. The long necks seen in these two taxa are an example of convergent evolution.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis swimming amongst some prehistoric fish known as Saurichthys. Picture credit: Marlene Donelly.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis A Remarkable Marine Reptile
The scientific paper describing the animal is published in full in the academic journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh – forming the entirety of the latest volume.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Editor-in-Chief of the RSE’s academic journal Transactions, Professor Robert Ellam FRSE commented:
“This remarkable marine reptile is another example of the stunning fossils that continue to be discovered in China”.
Comparisons with Tanystropheus
Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition. However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing several more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance. The neck of Dinocephalosaurus was more flexible than the neck of Tanystropheus. The fossils analysed in the newly published paper come from the Guizhou Province of China.
A nearly complete and articulated specimen of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. Picture credit: The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Dr Nick Fraser FRSE, Keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland stated:
“This discovery allows us to see this remarkable long-necked animal in full for the very first time. It is yet one more example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle palaeontologists. We are certain that it will capture imaginations across the globe due to its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long and snake-like, mythical Chinese Dragon.”
Appropriate for the “Year of the Dragon”
As we have now entered the Chinese “Year of the Dragon”, a new scientific paper on a Chinese reptile that superficially resembled a mythical dragon is highly appropriate. The fossils were studied over a period of ten years by researchers from Scotland, China, America and Germany.
Professor Li Chun from the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology in China, the scientist who originally described Dinocephalosaurus orientalis said:
“This has been an international effort. Working together with colleagues from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Europe, we used newly discovered specimens housed at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to build on our existing knowledge of this animal. Among all of the extraordinary finds we have made in the Triassic of Guizhou Province, Dinocephalosaurus probably stands out as the most remarkable.”
Scientists propose that Dinocephalosaurus was superbly adapted to its marine environment. Given the length of its neck, moving on land would have been difficult. A remarkable fossil described in 2017 revealed that Dinocephalosaurus was viviparous (live birth). This remains the only record of viviparity associated with the Archosauromorpha.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis – Significant Fossil Discoveries
Dr Stephan Spiekman, a postdoctoral researcher based at the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History, commented:
“As an early-career researcher, it has been an incredible experience to contribute to these significant findings. We hope that our future research will help us understand more about the evolution of this group of animals, and particularly how the elongate neck functioned.”
The paper describing the animal is published in full in the academic journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh – forming the entirety of the latest volume. The journal was first published in 1788.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of media releases from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and National Museums Scotland in the compilation of this article.
Everything Dinosaur has received 300 5-star Google reviews. Every Google reviewer to date has awarded the UK-based mail order company top marks. Earlier today, the company’s 300th Google review was posted up. Team members expressed their gratitude and stated that they were humbled by all the kind comments they had received.
Confirmation that Everything Dinosaur has received three hundred Google reviews. Team members are grateful for all the feedback received. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Everything Dinosaur website has thousands of customer reviews on it. In addition, the company has been working with Feefo for many years, gathering customer feedback and comments. It is estimated that Everything Dinosaur has received over 3,500 Feefo reviews.
The company was recently awarded Feefo’s highest accolade – the Platinum Trusted Service Award.
The Platinum Trusted Service Award certificate given to Everything Dinosaur in recognition of the company’s outstanding customer service.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“Our thanks to all the wonderful people that have provided feedback. We read every single one and we respond to all those that require a reply. What with the website, Feefo and Google we have received thousands of 5-star reviews from customers.”
Everything Dinosaur has received three hundred Google reviews. Every reviewer has awarded Everything Dinosaur five stars. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Whether it is prehistoric animal figures, clothing or dinosaur soft toys, Everything Dinosaur has got it covered. The feedback from customers demonstrates the team’s commitment to service.
The new Schleich Stegosaurus (2024) dinosaur model is coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur. Team members took the opportunity to photograph this new Schleich figure at the Spielwarenmesse.
The new for 2024 Schleich Stegosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Stegosaurus (2024)
Schleich have chosen to give their new ornithischian figure an extremely scaly skin. Schleich prehistoric animal models are known for their tactile qualities. The design team have worked hard on creating the model’s texture. The elaborate, multi-layered plates on the back of the model are intriguing. However, we don’t think these plates are scientifically accurate.
The new for 2024 Schleich Stegosaurus dinosaur model shown in right lateral view. This photograph was taken at a recent trade show. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Schleich have produced several versions of Stegosaurus over the years. This armoured dinosaur is extremely popular with children. It regularly appears in the top five of our surveys examining the popularity of prehistoric animals.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are looking forward to receiving the new Schleich Stegosaurus. It will be stock at Everything Dinosaur very soon. The Stegosaurus joins the new for 2024 Schleich figures that are already in our warehouse. We expect the new colour version of the Schleich Brachiosaurus, the red Brachiosaurus model will arrive at the same time as the Schleich Stegosaurus.”
New for 2024 Schleich Stegosaurus model.
The Schleich Stegosaurus (2024) figure measures twenty centimetres in length. Those elaborate hip plates are around ten centimetres off the ground. This figure along with the Schleich red Brachiosaurus model will be in stock soon.
A new, pony-sized Moroccan lambeosaurine dinosaur has been named and described. The new dinosaur has been named Minqaria bata. It closely resembles the only previously known African duckbill, Ajnabia odysseus. However, the shape of the jaws and teeth are unique, demonstrating it was a distinct species. Minqaria probably occupied a different ecological niche.
A trio of lambeosaurines (Minqaria bata) wander past the corpse of a large mosasaur. Picture credit: Raul Martin.
Minqaria bata – (Arabic for “Beak” and “Duck” Respectively)
The fossils consisting of a right maxilla with teeth, a partial left dentary and the braincase come from marine phosphate deposits located at Sidi Chennane in the Oulad Abdoun Basin. The size of the fossils, the associated matrix and the lack of duplication of elements suggests that these fossils came from a single, mature dinosaur. They represent a dwarf duck-billed dinosaur, a Late Cretaceous lambeosaurine that was smaller than Ajnabia odysseus, the first hadrosaurid known from Africa (Longrich et al, 2020). M. bata is estimated to have been around 3.5 metres in length and weighed approximately 250 kilograms.
The genus name is derived from the Arabic “minqar” which means beak and the species name is from the Arabic “bata” for duck.
Approximate life position of skull fossils associated with the newly described lambeosaurine taxon Minqaria bata. Picture credit: Nick Longrich.
The Diversity of North African Lambeosaurines
A humerus and femur also described in the scientific paper appear to represent lambeosaurines too. However, their size indicates that larger lambeosaurines, animals longer than six metres in length were also present in the ecosystem.
The discovery of Ajnabia in 2020 was surprising. During the Late Cretaceous, hundreds of miles of water separated North Africa from Eurasia. The new lambeosaurine fossils not only confirm the existence of lambeosaurines in North Africa, but shows they were diverse, with at least four taxa present.
The dinosaur fauna of Morocco during the Late Cretaceous. Picture credit: Nick Longrich.
How Did Duck-billed Dinosaurs Get to North Africa?
This new study published in the journal “Scientific Reports” reveals that not only did duckbills manage to cross the Tethys Sea, but they became highly diverse once they colonised Africa. The duck-billed dinosaurs are thought to have evolved in North America. Africa during the Late Cretaceous was an isolated continent, surrounded on all sides by water. So, how did duckbill dinosaurs, a group that evolved in North America, end up in Morocco?
Anatomical traits of Minqaria are similar to European hadrosaurs. The researchers postulate that duckbills either swam or floated across several hundred kilometres of open water to colonise Africa.
Dr Nick Longrich (University of Bath), who led the study commented:
“These were probably loud, vocal animals. Modern birds vocalise to find mates, or to declare territories. But they’re especially vocal in flocks – a flock of flamingos or a nesting colony of pelicans is extremely noisy, constantly communicating. So, it’s likely that like birds, these duckbills were social animals.”
Part of the dentary (lower jaw) of Minqaria bata. Picture credit: University of Bath.
Social Dinosaurs
The brain is also large by dinosaur standards, a feature associated with social animals like crows and primates.
Dr Longrich explained:
“There were probably very loud, noisy herds – or flocks if you prefer – of these little duckbills wandering the coasts of Morocco 66 million years ago.”
The braincase of the newly described Moroccan lambeosaurine Minqaria bata. Picture credit: University of Bath.
Commenting on the presence of lambeosaurine dinosaurs on the isolated continent of Africa, Dr Longrich added:
“Not only did duckbills manage to reach Africa at the end of the Cretaceous, but once they did, they quickly evolved to take advantage of open niches and became diverse.”
Analogies can be found in the modern world. Animals can sometimes make unexpected and unusual journeys across large bodies of water. During the Ice Age, elephants, deer and hippos were able to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach the island of Crete. Iguanas swept offshore by a hurricane can be transported hundreds of miles to other Caribbean islands as they cling to dislodged vegetation.
Dr Longrich stated:
“It’s extremely improbable that dinosaurs could cross water to get to Africa, but improbable isn’t the same as impossible. And given enough time, improbable things become probable. Buy a lottery ticket every day, and if you wait long enough, you’ll win. These ocean crossings might be once-in-a-million-year events but the Cretaceous lasted nearly 100 million years. A lot of strange things will happen in that time – including dinosaurs crossing seas.”
Remarkable to Discover Fossils of Hadrosaurs Like Minqaria bata in Africa
Co-author Dr Nour-Eddine Jalil (Natural History Museum of Paris and the Université Cadi Ayyad in Morocco) commented:
“Minqaria and its relatives are players that a few years ago we would never have supposed to be on the African continent at that time.”
The doctor added:
“The phosphates of Morocco offers new images on past biodiversity in a key period of the history of life, the last moments of the dinosaur age followed by the diversification of mammals, announcing a new era. Despite their marine origin, these phosphates of Morocco also contain remains of vertebrates that lived on land. They constitute one of the only windows on the terrestrial ecosystems in Africa. The dinosaur remains suggest a great diversity, all the three major groups of dinosaurs are represented, the abelisaurid carnivores and the sauropod and ornithischian herbivores.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new small duckbilled dinosaur (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) from Morocco and dinosaur diversity in the late Maastrichtian of North Africa” by Nicholas R. Longrich, Xabier Pereda-Suberbiola, Nathalie Bardet and Nour-Eddine Jalil published in Scientific Reports.
