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

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17 01, 2024

Everything Dinosaur to Stock New PNSO Edmontosaurus

By |2024-01-18T22:45:14+00:00January 17th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The new for 2024 PNSO Edmontosaurus dinosaur model is coming into stock soon at Everything Dinosaur. The shipment is already on the way and Zabad the Edmontosaurus will arrive shortly. It is on the same vessel as the new PNSO Spinosaurus figure (Aymen).

PNSO Edmontosaurus dinosaur model.
A new for 2024 Edmontosaurus dinosaur model.

PNSO Edmontosaurus Dinosaur Model

The new Edmontosaurus figure measures 32.5 cm in length. It is a very detailed duck-billed dinosaur. It sports a soft comb crest, and the skin texture looks terrific. We shall wait and see if it has a scientifically accurate manus.

The impressive figure stands 12 cm high, and it has stunning colouration.

Edmontosaurus model measurements.
The new PNSO Edmontosaurus model measures around 32.5 cm in length.

To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal figures in stock: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Figures.

Supplied with Sci-Art Poster and Colour Booklet

This attractive hadrosaur figure displays Edmontosaurus in a quadrupedal pose. The dinosaur model is supplied with an A3 Sci-Art poster and a sixty-four-page, colour booklet.

Zabad the Edmontosaurus accessories.
The PNSO Zabad the Edmontosaurus figure is supplied with a Sci-Art poster and a full-colour booklet.

A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur confirmed that the PNSO Zabad the Edmontosaurus would be in stock in a few weeks.

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

16 01, 2024

Everything Dinosaur Delighted to Win Top Award

By |2024-01-17T07:23:53+00:00January 16th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. It is an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience. Feefo established the Trusted Service Awards ten years ago. They recognise brands that use the platform to collect verified reviews and receive exceptional feedback from their customers. The awards are unique because they truly reflect a business’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service by analysing feedback from real customers.

Platinum Trusted Service Award 2024
Everything Dinosaur has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for 2024.

Picture credit: Feefo

Contact Everything Dinosaur team members: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

The Platinum Trusted Service Award

Feefo works with over 6,500 brands. The organisation is the world’s largest provider of verified reviews. Everything Dinosaur has won a customer service award from Feefo every year. At first, the company was awarded “Gold” status, but in 2020, a new higher award was offered. As a result, Everything Dinosaur has won this “Platinum” award ever since.

Platinum Trusted Service Award certificate.
The Platinum Trusted Service Award certificate given to Everything Dinosaur in recognition of the company’s outstanding customer service.

Picture credit: Feefo

Listening to Our Customers

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur exclaimed:

“We are so excited to receive a Platinum Trusted Service Award from Feefo. Keeping our customers happy is our priority. So, the fact that this award is based on feedback from real customers gives us confidence. The award reflects how hard we work to listen to our customers and keep them happy, especially in a climate where purse strings are tight. As always, we will continue to listen to our customers and deliver what our customers want.”

Congratulating Everything Dinosaur on their achievement, Tony Wheble, CEO at Feefo, stated:

“The Trusted Service Awards have always been about recognising companies that go way beyond the norm in customer service and in turn receive great feedback from delighted customers. Congratulations to Everything Dinosaur for winning a Platinum Trusted Service Award by providing great customer service consistently over a number of years. I look forward to seeing them continue to achieve next year and beyond.”

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

14 01, 2024

New Haolonggood Baryonyx Dinosaur Models

By |2024-01-15T10:34:29+00:00January 14th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The Haolonggood shipment has been delayed by three days as the container vessel has diverted away from the Red Sea. The current unrest in the region is causing shipping companies to divert vessels away from the area. Everything Dinosaur aims to have the new Haolonggood figures in stock by the end of this month. The new arrivals will include the fantastic Haolonggood Baryonyx models.

Haolonggood Baryonyx figures. New for 2024 Haolonggood dinosaur models.
The new Haolonggood Baryonyx figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in early 2024.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that numerous ships were having to take longer routes to avoid the Red Sea. Many container vessels will be delayed.

Haolonggood Baryonyx Models

The two new for 2024 Haolonggood Baryonyx dinosaur models are named Shan Ting and Wei Ding Guo. Both models have articulated jaws and are the same sculpt. However, they have different colour schemes. The Baryonyx model named Shan Ting has more grey colouring and subtle red colouration running across the top of the model. In contrast, Wei Ding Guo has more green and more prominent countershading.

Each figure is 26 cm long with a declared scale of 1:35. At this size, the scale measurements suggest a dinosaur in excess of nine metres in length. This is within the parameters suggested by palaeontologists for Baryonyx walkeri, based on the London Natural History Museum specimen (NHMUK VP R9951).

The Haolonggood Baryonyx dinosaur models.
The two new for 2024 Haolonggood Baryonyx models. Shan Ting (top) and Wei Ding Guo (bottom).

To view the range of Haolonggood figures currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Baryonyx Holotype

The London Natural History Museum specimen represents the holotype for B. walkeri. The holotype was originally known as BMNH R9951, however, it was later re-catalogued as NHMUK VP R9951. It remains one of the most complete theropod fossil skeletons known from the UK. A cast of the Baryonyx fossil specimen is on display at the London Natural History Museum.

London Natural History Museum Baryonyx exhibit
The mounted cast of the Baryonyx skeleton on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Baryonyx (B. walkeri) was formally named and described in 1986 (Charig and Milner). It remains the most complete fossil specimen of a spinosaurid found to date.

Haolonggood Baryonyx Wei Ding Guo model.
A stunning image of the new for 2024 Haolonggood Baryonyx model Wei Ding Guo wading through some water.

The two, new Haolonggood Baryonyx models certainly look impressive in the images that Haolonggood have supplied. We look forward to receiving these figures into stock.

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

13 01, 2024

New Feefo Trusted Service Awards for 2024

By |2024-01-14T22:14:10+00:00January 13th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Not long to wait now before the announcement. On Tuesday 16th of January (2024), Everything Dinosaur will find out if they are a winner. The prestigious Feefo Trusted Service Awards will be announced. Everything Dinosaur has won an award for customer service since the company first joined Feefo in 2017.

Next Tuesday, we will find out if our excellence in customer service is to be recognised again.

Feefo Trusted Service Awards.
Feefo Trusted Service Awards 2024. Will Everything Dinosaur win an award?

Picture credit: Feefo

Feefo Trusted Service Awards

Feefo is one of the world’s largest buyer review platforms. The Feefo platform helps businesses to collect genuine, verified customer reviews. This allows companies like Everything Dinosaur to gain insights and to build better customer experiences. Since, Everything Dinosaur joined Feefo we have won an award every year.

Such is the quality of Everything Dinosaur’s customer service that the business has been awarded Feefo’s highest honour. Everything Dinosaur has received the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award. The company consistently achieves the highest level of customer service.

Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award certificate.
Everything Dinosaur’s Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award certificate. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the company’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We have continued to put our customers at the very heart of our business. We have already won several awards for excellence in customer service. Will we win this year? On Tuesday we will find out.”

Feefo product feedback
Over the last few months Everything Dinosaur has received a colossal 647 feedback comments about products from customers. The average product rating from customers was an amazing 4.9 out of 5 stars. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

View Everything Dinosaur’s profile on Feefo: Everything Dinosaur on Feefo.

12 01, 2024

Sneak Peak of New Magazine Front Cover

By |2024-01-12T21:34:53+00:00January 12th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Prehistoric Times|0 Comments

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.

"Prehistoric Times" winter edition 2024.
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.

For more information about the magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

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.

11 01, 2024

A New Tyrannosaurus Species is Described

By |2024-01-11T07:17:32+00:00January 11th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|1 Comment

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.

Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis life reconstruction.
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.

Skull bones of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis.
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).

Views of the Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis mandible
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 T. mcraeensis and T. rex.
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.

Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis phylogeny and size comparison with T. rex.
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 Hall Lake Formation.
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.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

10 01, 2024

New King of the Giant Apes from Nanmu Studio

By |2024-01-11T12:52:20+00:00January 10th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

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.

King of the Giant Apes
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.

Nanmu Studio "King of the Giant Apes" Fury.
The limited-edition Nanmu Studio “King of the Giant Apes” known as Fury.

To view the current range of Nanmu Studio figures available: Nanmu Studio Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

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).

To contact Everything Dinosaur about the “King of the Giant Apes” figure: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Nanmu Studio King of the Giant Apes.
The new for 2024 Nanmu Studio King of the Giant Apes figure complete with display stand. A new resident of Skull Island perhaps?

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

9 01, 2024

A Helpful Guide to the Timorebestia Artwork

By |2024-01-22T21:22:46+00:00January 9th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

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.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article about Timorebestia koprii: Giant Predatory Marine Worms from the Cambrian of Greenland.

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.

Timorebestia koprii life reconstruction.
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 Timorebestia koprii inspired artwork by Bob Nicholls.
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.

CollectA Anomalocaris
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).

To view the CollectA Prehistoric Life model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models and Figures.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the original artwork that accompanied the media release from Bristol University.

View the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

8 01, 2024

Giant Predatory Worms from the Cambrian of Greenland

By |2024-01-18T13:58:07+00:00January 8th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

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.

Timorebestia koprii life reconstruction.
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 and a Timorebestia fossil specimen.
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 interpretive drawing.
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.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

6 01, 2024

New Rebor Dire Wolf Models Soon to be in Stock

By |2024-01-10T18:44:26+00:00January 6th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

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 Dire Wolf replica "low roar" in the plain colouration.
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.
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.

Rebor Dire wolf in right lateral view (Havallagata Nord version).
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.”

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

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