Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been kept very busy preparing for the arrival of the latest delivery of PNSO dinosaur and prehistoric animals at the company’s warehouse. The shipment will contain a number of new PNSO models including Lucas the Giganotosaurus, Lucio the Amargasaurus and the battling pair of Dayong the Yangchuanosaurus and Xiaobei the Chungkingosaurus. In preparation for the arrival of a Yangchuanosaurus replica, we have commissioned a scale drawing as well as researching and writing a fact sheet about this theropod from the Middle Jurassic of south-western China.
A Scale Drawing of the Middle Jurassic Chinese Theropod – Yangchuanosaurus (Y. shangyouensis)
A scale drawing of Yangchuanosaurus shangyouensis.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models
PNSO have created a range of different prehistoric animal models and figures. They have a small prehistoric animal model range, (toys that accompany your growth), which currently has forty-eight figures within it and then there are the larger PNSO models (some of them are huge). These models are promoted as the “Age of Dinosaurs” model range but not all of them are dinosaurs. For instance, PNSO recently introduced a large model of the ichthyosaur Ophthalmosaurus, joining substantial models of Basilosaurus and the ferocious Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon).
Naturally, Everything Dinosaur has produced fact sheets for all these replicas and all these fact sheets include a scale drawing.
An Illustration of the Early Jurassic Sauropod Mamenchisaurus
Mamenchisaurus drawing. An illustration commissioned as Everything Dinosaur prepares a fact sheet on this dinosaur.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Dayong the Yangchuanosaurus and Xiaobei the Chungkingosaurus
The latest shipment of PNSO models will include the Dayong the Yangchuanosaurus and Xiaobei the Chungkingosaurus diorama. Construction projects in Sichuan Province have unearthed a variety of different types of dinosaur. These fossil finds rival the amazing Morrison Formation of the western United States, although the Chinese rocks are older. Numerous sauropods and stegosaurs have been described and two distinct biotas identified.
The Dayong the Yangchuanosaurus and Xiaobei the Chungkingosaurus
PNSO dinosaur diorama “Dayong” the Yangchuanosaurus battles “Xiaobei” the Chungkingosaurus.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are expecting a large shipment of PNSO models. It is going to be a very busy couple of weeks for our warehouse team, what with all these new PNSO figures coming into stock along with deliveries from Papo, Mojo Fun, CollectA and Safari Ltd. We planned to provide at least fifty new models this year, we are well on target to achieve this and in fact, with all these new additions, this target is going to be exceeded. These are exciting times for dinosaur fans and model collectors.”
To view the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.
PSD2 might sound like the name of a droid from the forthcoming “Star Wars” movie, but for anyone who shops on-line, PSD2 is going to become very significant. New legislation is coming into force across the whole of the European Union, part of a global roll out of new rules to help protect consumers who make electronic payments either through a website such as Everything Dinosaur’s or via contactless payments or chip and pin card machines. New, additional security authentications for ecommence transactions are being introduced. These will help to protect consumers against fraud and these new rules come into force on Saturday, 14th September 2019.
Everything Dinosaur Working Towards PSD2 Compliance
Everything Dinosaur team members working towards compliance with new consumer protection legislation (EU Payment Services Directive – PSD2).Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur Providing Extra Security and Protection
If you sell on-line, then you need to prepare for this new legislation. Everything Dinosaur’s plans are well advanced, at the heart of our business is the belief in doing what is right for our customers. We already have very strong protections in place including 3-D security, but these new rules require strong customer authentication to help prevent the possibility of fraudulent transactions taking place.
Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), was introduced as a follow up to earlier legislation, its aim is to further increase consumer protection when it comes to making on-line transactions such as buying dinosaur models from Everything Dinosaur. In essence, it introduces the need for stronger consumer authentication, that is, the person using a credit/debit card to make a purchase is actually the person they say they are.
Strong Consumer Authentication Provides Extra Protection and Security for On-line Shoppers
PSD2 legislation may require shoppers to give additional authentication at checkout. This is all about extra security and protection.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Your payment journey through websites, might look a little different after September 14th. By this date all ecommerce transactions must be processed via secure industry protocols such as 3-D secure, for Everything Dinosaur we already operate this system, however, in addition, someone making a purchase from us may need to provide proof of their identity. Shoppers may need to give additional authentication at the checkout.
Everything Dinosaur team members are already working through the requirements to ensure compliance with the new regulations. A key component of these new rules is that ecommerce transactions will require (in most cases), additional authentication. Strong customer authentication requires at least two independent factors in the authentication process.
Here are the three types of factors for authentication:
Something you know [knowledge] such as a PIN number or password.
Something you have [possession] such as a card, smartphone etc.
Something that you are (inherence) such as a fingerprint or your biometric identity.
Each electronic payment (there will be some exemptions), must be authenticated by at least two of these factors. This helps to protect you from fraud and it is known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
What Wil Be Different?
At the moment, when making a purchase at Everything Dinosaur an authentication is performed as part of the card transaction process. You might get re-directed to your card provider’s website to validate the transaction under 3-D security protocols. If your card provider (bank), deems the transaction risk to be ‘high’, the cardholder will be required to prove their identity. From September 14th 2019, authentication will become the new default and cannot be bypassed (unless an exemption applies). Although authentication will be performed, it is expected that only 5% to 10% of authentications will result in the cardholder having to be re-directed to their banks 3-D Secure page to enter two factor authentication (2FA and challenge authentication).
The majority of the authentication requests will result in a frictionless authentication, where the cardholder is not re-directed to their banks 3-D Secure page to enter 2FA. At Everything Dinosaur, are plans to accommodate this new legislation are already well-advanced and our existing consumer protection measures ensure that we only need to make a few minor adjustments to our security systems.
Everything Dinosaur Taking Care of Customers
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We take the protection of our customers extremely seriously. We are currently working on responsive payment pages that will enable our customers to make a payment even more safely and securely. In addition, we are working with our commercial partners such as SagePay to make improvements and to ensure that strong customer authentication is delivered and maintained throughout the transaction process.”
Testing of these new systems and measures will take place over the next few weeks on Everything Dinosaur’s beta sites. This will ensure that all is ready when the new legislation comes into force on September 14th. Furthermore, the current 3-D Secure Implementation (3DSv1) will operate until the end of 2020, but new protections entitled 3DSv2 will come into force making 3-D security systems mandatory worldwide. Everything Dinosaur is well placed to incorporate these changes into its already very secure systems.
Newsletter Features New Schleich and CollectA Prehistoric Animals
New prehistoric animal models and figures are coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur at an express pace. Our latest newsletter features another seven new figures, four from Schleich and three from CollectA in what will be a stunning summer of new model additions to our ranges. It is going to be a very busy time for our team members but we have made contingency plans to ensure that orders get despatched super quick!
The Early July CollectA Newsletter Features New CollectA and Schleich Prehistoric Animal Figures
The early July Everything Dinosaur newsletter features new Schleich and CollectA prehistoric animal models. The new for 2019 CollectA Deluxe Elasmotherium and the Schleich juvenile Giganotosaurus are in stock. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
At the end of last year, Everything Dinosaur team members predicted that 2019 would see a further fifty prehistoric animal models added to the company’s already impressive range. The new CollectA models are the “Prehistoric Life” Fukuiraptor, the CollectA Deluxe Elasmotherium and the 1:40 scale Deluxe Baryonyx. The four new Schleich figures comprise, a Plesiosaurus and three dinosaurs, namely Dracorex, Diabloceratops and a juvenile Giganotosaurus.
Exciting New Prehistoric Animal Models from CollectA and Schleich
The early July Everything Dinosaur newsletter features new CollectA and Schleich prehistoric animal models. The models are the Schleich Diabloceratops (top left), the CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx (top right), the Schleich Plesiosaurus (bottom left) and the CollectA Fukuiraptor (bottom right).Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
All Prehistoric Animal Models Supplied with a Fact Sheet
Everything Dinosaur has prepared fact sheets for all seven of these new models. Customers purchasing these figures from Everything Dinosaur will be sent a fact sheet with their purchase. The fact sheet includes a scale drawing of the prehistoric animal along with fascinating facts and snippets of information.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“For virtually every prehistoric animal figure we sell, we supply a fact sheet about that animal. We take care to research these long extinct creatures and then we produce an A4-sized fact sheet which is then sent out with model purchases. We are currently working on a further three new fact sheets so that we can provide these sheets when other new models come into stock.”
The Schleich Dracorex Dinosaur Model and Please “Like” our Facebook Page
The Schleich Dracorex (left) and a request for newsletter subscribers to please “like” us on Facebook.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Dracorex
The North American Dracorex (D. hogwartsia) is the last of the new models to be featured. Measuring over nineteen centimetres in length this is a beautifully detailed model of a pachycephalosaur. Our newsletter subscribers have also been asked to “like” Everything Dinosaur’s Facebook page. Our Facebook page is followed by a large number of dinosaur fans and our posts reach thousands of enthusiasts every week. We currently have a total of over 6,400 genuine page likes which makes us extremely proud. We hope to get to 6,500 Facebook page likes by the end of this month.
We have been asked by dinosaur fans and model collectors to post up more pictures and information about some of the new for 2019 prehistoric animal models that have come into stock at Everything Dinosaur. Our team members are happy to acquiesce and we have recently posted up onto our Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages pictures of some of the new Schleich and CollectA figures. One of the questions we have been asked is whether or not the new CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx dinosaur model (1:40 scale), has an articulated jaw. Yes, it does, we even shot a short video to demonstrate this.
The CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx
Demonstrating the Articulated Lower Jaw (CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Short Baryonyx Video
In this short, YouTube video (it lasts around 20 seconds), we show the CollectA Baryonyx and we demonstrate the lower jaw. This is a carefully crafted dinosaur figure and the jaw reflects the dentition associated with baryonychid dinosaurs and the upper jaw has that distinctive “notch” that is associated with the holotype fossil material retrieved from a Surrey clay pit (Weald Clay Formation), after the initial fossil discovery in 1983.
A Close View of the Head and Jaw of the CollectA Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx dinosaur model. A close-up view of that carefully sculpted skull and the articulated lower jaw.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
In order to best represent the anatomical proportions of this dinosaur, the design team at CollectA opted to place this 2019 version of Baryonyx on a base. However, the base is far from just a support for the model, it has been beautifully sculpted and shows lots of detail. For example, there are some plant fronds to be found on the base and the effect is to indicate that the Baryonyx is walking along a muddy, slippery riverbank, an environment in which this semi-aquatic dinosaur would have been very much at home.
A Close-up View of the Base of the CollectA Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
Close-up view of the base of the new for 2019 CollectA Baryonyx model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Webbed Feet – Baryonyx
Although it is difficult to spot on the actual model, the design team at CollectA were keen to give the impression of webbed feet on this dinosaur. Palaeontologists have speculated that this theropod may have had webbing between its toes, an adaptation to help it to move around in its aquatic environment.
The next edition of the quarterly magazine “Prehistoric Times” is on the way. This magazine will be arriving at our offices shortly. Editor and chum, Mike Fredericks sent us an image of the front cover of the next issue.
“Prehistoric Times”
Prehistoric Times Issue (130)
“Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 130.
Picture credit: Mike Fredericks
An Eclectic Collection of Prehistoric Animals
The eye-catching front cover features an eclectic mix of prehistoric animals, all life-sized models made by the hugely talented sculptors and artists at Blue Rhino Studios (Minnesota, USA). The staff at Blue Rhino Studios have worked with museums and attractions all over the world. Established in the 1990s the company has become a leader in state-of-the-art prehistoric mammal, pterosaur and dinosaur figures. Issue 130 (summer 2019), will feature an interview with Blue Rhino team members.
Readers can expect articles on Allosaurus and the enigmatic prehistoric rhinoceros Elasmotherium, as well as a continuation of the long-running series by John Lavas highlighting the contribution of the Czech illustrator Zdeněk Burian. From the front cover details, we can see that this edition will also include an interview with the American artist Mark Hallett, a leading light in dinosaur and prehistoric animal illustrations.
Our thanks to the editorial team at “Prehistoric Times” magazine for giving us this preview.
The last of the scheduled 2019 model releases from CollectA are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The trio of prehistoric animal figures are the 1:20 scale Deluxe Elasmotherium model, the 1:40 scale Baryonyx and the prehistoric life Fukuiraptor model. What an impressive set of prehistoric animal figures they make!
Just Arrived! The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Scale Elasmotherium Model
This is an excellent replica of this enigmatic member of the Rhinocerotidae family, a creature that has been nicknamed the “Siberian Unicorn”. The design team at CollectA have emphasised the animal’s long legs and depicted it in an almost trotting pose. A coat of rough shaggy hair generously covers the figure, although the presence of a shaggy coat, or indeed any hair whatsoever can only be inferred as the fossil record does not actually provide any substantive proof of the Elasmotherium having a dense coat.
The nature of the horn (if indeed it possessed one), is also largely speculative but CollectA have been careful to depict their Elasmotherium using the scientific literature as a guide. Measuring around 26 centimetres in length and that horn standing some 15 cm tall, this is a most impressive model.
From a prehistoric animal known from relatively recent and abundant fossil material from a wide area, to a dinosaur that is mostly known from a single quarry site representing strata laid down in the Early Cretaceous of Japan (Kitadani Formation). Little is known about Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis. It has been assigned to the Megaraptora clade but prior to this it was thought to be a derived allosauroid when first named and described nineteen years ago (Azuma, Yoichi; Philip J., Currie (2000). “A new carnosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan”. In an initial scientific study published in 1995, it was thought that Fukuiraptor had affinities towards the Dromaeosauridae.
The New for 2019 CollectA Prehistoric Life Fukuiraptor
The new for 2019 CollectA Prehistoric Life Fukuiraptor dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Fukuiraptor had large hands and powerful grasping fingers armed with strongly curved claws. These features are well represented in this new dinosaur model. CollectA have been keen to add more dinosaurs from Asia to their model range and Fukuiraptor has been one of the most eagerly anticipated models of 2019.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
The third member of this impressive trio is the CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx dinosaur model (1:40 scale replica). This model has an articulated jaw that has been designed to replicate the distinctive baryonchid dentition. Since Baryonyx is associated with aquatic environments the design team at CollectA have given their model subtle webbing between the toes.
The New for 2019 CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx Dinosaur Model
Our chums at Rebor have provided a little challenge to dinosaur fans and model collectors. As this is the last day of “Jurassic June”, we thought it would be fun to see what those clever and creative people at Rebor have got up to. It seems that they have produced some artwork for collectors to help them customise the next set of Rebor prehistoric animal figures that are due to come into stock.
Ruffs for the Rebor Dilophosaurus Figures
Here is an image of the artwork that Rebor has provided:
Colourful Dinosaur Frills to Customise Dinosaur Models
A pair of frills to thrill Rebor model collectors.
Picture credit: Rebor
Fans of Rebor collectables will know that the next models to be introduced are a pair of Dilophosaurus dinosaurs (Dilophosaurus wetherilli). These magnificent models, nick-named “Oasis” and “Green Day” are coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur in the next few days. Team members will be emailing all those customers on our priority reserve list when these dinosaurs arrive.
Rebor Replicas – Dilophosaurus Dinosaurs (“Green Day” and “Oasis”
The Rebor Dilophosaurus replicas “Green Day” and “Oasis”.
An Early Jurassic Predator
Dilophosaurus was an Early Jurassic, carnivorous dinosaur, so it is appropriate to feature this dinosaur as “Jurassic June” draws to a close. We suspect that the frills could be used to adorn the necks of these beautiful figures, but we couldn’t possibly comment further. After all, Dilophosaurus may be one of the most extensively studied of all the theropods known from the Lower Jurassic, but there is no fossil evidence to indicate that these predators had neck frills that could be “flashed” as part of a visual display.
Rebor Have Produced a Male and Female Dilophosaurus Figure
Comparing the Rebor Dilophosaurus replicas “Green Day” and “Oasis”.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Male and Female Dilophosaurus
The Rebor models depict a male and female Dilophosaurus. There are subtle variations in the paint scheme used for each model to highlight the differences. For example, the male “Green Day” has crimson markings on the bony crest over the eye (orbit). Most palaeontologists are comfortable with the idea that these archosaurs, like living archosaurs today (birds and crocodilians), had excellent colour vision. Visual signals may have been very important to the Dinosauria.
As to whether Dilophosaurus had an expandable neck ruff, is very much speculation, there is no fossil evidence to support such an idea. However, popular culture such as books, films and television programmes have helped set up notable preconceptions in the minds of the public and who are we to challenge such views.
There is a reptile alive today that has a neck ruff, it is the neck-frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), native to northern Australian and Papua New Guinea. This relatively large lizard, can when frightened, extend a large ruff of skin out from its neck to produce a startling display, designed to intimidate attackers. The neck frill usually lies folded against the animal’s neck, but by flexing its jaws and gaping, this lizard can engage cartilage supports that extend the skin folds out to produce a mock threat display that makes it look much more fearsome than the lizard actually is.
Prehistoric Animals were Show Offs
Just like many animals today, it is quite likely that visual display was very important to the extinct non-avian dinosaurs. Back in 2010, Everything Dinosaur reported on the publication of a study by an international team of researchers which examined the fossil record to find evidence of visual display structures that probably had a primary function in sexual selection and attracting mates.
Rebor model fans might be able to work out what influenced Rebor’s decision to produce these accessories to help customise their models. These colourful additions will be available from Everything Dinosaur free of charge, just drop us an email requesting the dinosaur frills and we will be happy to email them out.
Once you have the download, print it out using a colour printer.
Carefully cut out each of the four sections.
Glue part A and part B back-to-back so that there is colour showing on the front and on the rear of the ruff.
Trim them until you are happy with their look, then use them to customise your Rebor models, for example, you could carefully manoeuvre the ruffs onto the tail, onto a limb or anywhere else on the model for that matter.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur have recently published the first of a string of summer newsletters. In this email, subscribers are updated on Rebor stocks, informed about new PNSO figures and given the opportunity to purchase the new for 2019 new colour variant Papo Stegosaurus.
Top Billing in the Newsletter for the Recent Arrival the Papo Stegosaurus (New Colour Variant)
The new for 2019 Papo Stegosaurus headlines the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter. Just arrived, the amazing and beautifully painted Papo Stegosaurus dinosaur model.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
An Update on Rebor Stocks
Fans of the Rebor range are aware just how quickly this model portfolio has grown. Not all the figures in stock are being produced again in the near future. For example, the Rebor “War Pig” Ankylosaurus model (mountain), is getting low on stock and no future production run for this armoured dinosaur model has been announced. Stocks of the very popular Rebor “Spring-heeled Jack” Velociraptor figure are similarly under pressure.
Some Stocks of Rebor Figures are Getting Low
An update on Rebor model stocks. The Rebor “War Pig” Ankylosaurus model in the mountain colour scheme and the Rebor “Spring-heeled Jack” Velociraptor model have low stock status at Everything Dinosaur and the company is not certain whether more models can be acquired.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Some exciting news for subscribers, the latest batch of PNSO prehistoric animal figures including the eagerly anticipated Yangchuanosaurus and Chungkingosaurus diorama are coming into stock very soon. These collectables are expected at the Everything Dinosaur website around the middle of next month (July 2019). A reserve list for the Yangchuanosaurus/Chungkingosaurus pair has already been opened.
Expected in July (2019) New PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models
PNSO models and figures coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Special Edition Gift Box
Subscribers have also been informed about a special collectors’ edition box set of PNSO models coming into stock. The gift box contains all forty-eight of the PNSO “Toys that Accompany your Growth” model range. Each model is within its own packaging, but the entire series is presented in a special edition gift box complete with a handy carry handle. Only a few of these gift boxes are coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur and newsletter subscribers were the first to hear of this and the first to be given the opportunity to register their interest in this very special item.
First News of Everything Dinosaur Stocking the Special Edition PNSO Gift Box
These periodic newsletters are a fantastic and very convenient way for customers to keep in touch with new products and other developments at Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson for the UK-based company stated:
“We have so many new models coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur, new PNSO, Papo, Rebor figures, CollectA and Beasts of the Mesozoic. Subscribing to our newsletter is a great way to keep up to date and get the latest news and special offers.”
Vespersaurus paranaensis – A Desert Dwelling Dinosaur
Roaming the Late Cretaceous of Brazil some 90 to 85 million years ago, was a little, fast-running, carnivorous dinosaur with a unique way of getting about. The dinosaur has been named Vespersaurus paranaensis and at an estimated length of just over a metre (maximum length 1.6 metres), this was no giant, but its discovery will help scientists to work out the taxonomic relationships amongst an obscure group of theropods known mainly from Gondwana and provide new insight into theropod locomotion.
Vespersaurus paranaensis
Writing in the academic journal “Scientific Reports”, the researchers suggest that Vespersaurus supported its weight on just one digit (metatarsal III and toe III), it may have been essentially monodactyl i.e. it had one main, central weight-bearing toe. The other toes associated with support and weight bearing in the Theropoda (digits II and IV), were very much smaller and may even have been held off the ground.
A Life Reconstruction of the Newly Described Brazilian Theropod Vespersaurus paranaensis
A life reconstruction of the Brazilian dinosaur Vespersaurus.
Picture credit: Rodolfo Nogueira
Affinities with the Abelisauroidea
Analysis of the fossil material, which includes vertebrae, elements from the pelvis and limbs along with fragmentary skull bones suggests that this little dinosaur is a member of the Abelisauroidea, specifically the Noasaurinae, an enigmatic subfamily collectively known from sparse fossil material mostly from southern latitudes. For example, Vespersaurus has the reduced forelimbs which are characteristic of the abelisaurids and it is hoped that these fossils will help palaeontologists to better understand the phylogeny of these Late Cretaceous predators.
Although only about 40% of the skeleton is known, these fossils represent one of the best examples of a member of the Noasauridae family found to date and the most complete dinosaur specimen from the whole of the Bauru Sub-basin. It is also the first dinosaur to be described from rocks that constitute part of this basin, the Caiuá Group.
Frontal (Skull Bone) and Views of an Isolated Tooth (Vespersaurus paranaensis)
Cranial and dental remains of Vespersaurus paranaensis, an isolated frontal and an isolated broken tooth.
Picture credit: Scientific Reports (Langer et al)
A Late Cretaceous Desert Environment
The majority of the strata making up the Caiuá Group represent sandstones that were deposited by the action of wind (aeolian deposits). During the Late Cretaceous, this region of Gondwana was an extensive desert. The fossil record is particularly sparse with only a handful of animals recorded from what probably would have been oases. Arguably, the most famous fossils from this part of the world represent a pterosaur monodominant bonebed (Caiuajara dobruskii). Other than Caiuajara and this new dinosaur, the only other vertebrate fossils known from this area represent a lizard and a turtle.
Pectoral Elements and Limb Bones (V.paranaensis)
Pectoral girdle and limb elements of Vespersaurus paranaensis.
Examination of the foot bones and toes suggests that this dinosaur supported its weight on just a single, central digit. Such an anatomical adaptation (a monodactyl stance), has not been recorded in the Archosauria before, but such a form of locomotion had been inferred by palaeontologists as numerous footprints indicating an enlarged weight-bearing toe in a theropod dinosaur have been found in rocks of the same age as the sediments that yielded the fossils of Vespersaurus.
A Close Up of the Foot Showing the Weight-bearing Toe
A close-up view of the foot of Vespersaurus showing the weight-bearing central toe. Footprints suggesting a monodactyl stance have been found in the same stratigraphic unit that yielded the new dinosaur.
Video image credit: Universidade de Sáo Paulo et al
Helping to Classify the Noasaurinae
The Noasaurinae are a branch of the Abelisauroidea consisting of small, predatory theropods known from Upper Cretaceous strata mostly associated with Gondwana (southern latitudes). Perhaps the best known noasaurid is Masiakasaurus knopfleri, from the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of Madagascar, but two other taxa from Argentina described from relatively fragmentary fossil material have been assigned to the Noasaurinae (Noasaurus leali and Velocisaurus unicus).
Other dinosaurs from outside South America have also been tentatively assigned such as an as yet, unnamed specimen from India, Deltadromeus agilis from Morocco and Genusaurus sisteronis from France. It is hoped that this more complete fossil specimen will permit palaeontologists to better understand taxonomic relationships within the Noasaurinae and their wider placement within the Abelisauroidea.
Building a Family Tree of the Abelisauroidea
Vespersaurus is assigned to the Noasaurinae, a sub-family of the Abelisauroidea clade of theropods. The suggested position of Vespersaurus is shown by the red dinosaur silhouette.
Picture credit: Scientific Reports (Langer et al)
Etymology of Vespersaurus paranaensis
The generic name derives from the words “vesper” (Latin for evening/west) and “sauros” (Greek for lizard/saurian), in reference to the name of the town Cruzeiro do Oeste (Western Cross), where the fossils were found. The specific epithet refers to the Paraná state, the authors report that V. paranaensis represents the first non-avian dinosaur from that area of Brazil.
The scientific paper: “A new desert-dwelling dinosaur (Theropoda, Noasaurinae) from the Cretaceous of south Brazil” by Max Cardoso Langer, Neurides de Oliveira Martins, Paulo César Manzig, Gabriel de Souza Ferreira, Júlio César de Almeida Marsola, Edison Fortes, Rosana Lima, Lucas Cesar Frediani Sant’ana, Luciano da Silva Vidal, Rosangela Honório da Silva Lorençato and Martín Daniel Ezcurra published in the journal Scientific Reports.
New Schleich 2019 Prehistoric Animal Models in Stock
The July releases of Schleich prehistoric animal models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Now available from the UK-based specialist dinosaur model retailer are the Schleich Diabloceratops, Dracorex, the juvenile Giganotosaurus and the Schleich Plesiosaurus figure. These are the final set of prehistoric animal figures to be introduced by Schleich this year and what a splendid quartet they make.
Now in Stock at Everything Dinosaur the Latest Schleich Prehistoric Animal Figures
Schleich 2019 prehistoric animal figures. Plesiosaurus (top left), Dracorex (top right), Diabloceratops and the juvenile Giganotosaurus model (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Schleich has moved to a production system whereby new models are released in two main batches. The first release took place in quarter 1, this second batch of new models was not due to be available until next month, but as Everything Dinosaur knows how eager their customers were to get these models, we were able to receive all four of these new replicas a little earlier. In total Schleich have released nine new prehistoric animal figures this year.
A Display Showing Some of the New Schleich Models
New models being introduced into the Schleich prehistoric animal model range. Everything Dinosaur has all these models and more in stock.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Measuring around sixteen centimetres in length with a height measured from the tip of those impressive horns of eleven centimetres, the Schleich Diabloceratops works well when compared in scale with the Schleich Triceratops figure that was introduced in 2018. It is a beautifully painted model and it is great to see a manufacturer producing models of some of the more unusual members of the Ceratopsia.
The Schleich Diabloceratops Dinosaur Model
Schleich Diabloceratops dinosaur model.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Schleich Dracorex Model
Another slightly obscure dinosaur added to the Schleich range is a representation of the pachycephalosaur Dracorex (D. hogwartsia). This dinosaur’s name was inspired by children’s fascination with Harry Potter (Hogwarts School), we suspect the Schleich Dracorex is going to be popular with collectors fascinated with Schleich.
The Schleich Dracorex Dinosaur Model
Schleich Dracorex dinosaur model.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Juvenile Giganotosaurus Dinosaur Model
Joining the recently introduced adult Giganotosaurus is this eye-catching replica of a juvenile Giganotosaurus. Measuring around twenty-six centimetres in length, this is quite a large Schleich model. Just like the Schleich adult Giganotosaurus figure, the Schleich juvenile Giganotosaurus has an articulated lower jaw.
The Schleich Juvenile Giganotosaurus Dinosaur Model
Schleich juvenile Giganotosaurus dinosaur model. This Schleich dinosaur model has an articulated lower jaw.
Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models – The Plesiosaurus
The last of the four models to be introduced is not a dinosaur, but a marine reptile, a Plesiosaurus. The long-retired Schleich “Saurus” range included a plesiosaur figure, but as far as we can recall it has been many years since this company made a Plesiosaurus.
The Schleich Plesiosaurus Model
Schleich Plesiosaurus. This marine reptile figure has a flexible, bendy neck.
