Everything Dinosaur team members treated themselves to a visit to a local garage kit show yesterday. The event was held at the Canalside Conference Centre in our home town. Some exhibitors and collectors had visited our offices and warehouse late last week. It was an ideal opportunity for them to pick up one or two prehistoric animal figures to go with their own monster models.
We were able to visit and to meet some of the extremely talented model makers and exhibitors. There were amazing models on display including many figures inspired by monsters from movies and science fiction. There were some excellent dinosaur dioramas on display too.
A garage kit show featuring fabulous monster models. This free to enter exhibition attracted monster model fans from all over the UK. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Monster Models
The model displays were amazing. There were all sorts of dioramas to admire, from tributes to Ray Harryhausen to military figures and Hammer Horror ghouls. Monster models including Godzilla, Medusa and many figures from the Warhammer franchise were on display. It was difficult to decide which diorama was our favourite.
We were asked lots of questions about dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. We passed on some information about recent dinosaur fossil discoveries and new research.
We were able to talk to the very friendly model collectors and enthusiasts about their hobby and we provided advice on which, inexpensive models to purchase to use in dioramas and prehistoric landscapes. One of the ranges we recommended was the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Prehistoric Life model range.
Everything Dinosaur has provided details of the Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The list includes dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals. Ten prehistoric animal figures that Everything Dinosaur stocks are being withdrawn. Items previously retired such as the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus and the Vagaceratops are now running low, as inventory in the distribution chain is used up.
Confirmation of Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The year when the figure was introduced is also recorded. Several figures that were introduced in 2020 are being withdrawn and they are now out of production.
The image (above) shows the models that are being retired. The Vagaceratops and the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus are also officially withdrawn, Everything Dinosaur still has these models available. However, we will not be able to replenish stock. Once current stock has sold out, that will be that.
The baby Pteranodon figure (S301329) and the tube of baby dinosaur models (S90075) are also being retired by Safari Ltd.
The list of retired figures and when the model was first introduced is provided below:
Uintatherium (introduced in 2018). Qianzhousaurus (introduced in 2020). Concavenator (introduced in 2020). Shringasaurus (introduced in 2020). Edmontosaurus (introduced in 2020). Diabloceratops (introduced in 2013. Deinocheirus (introduced in 2017). Psittacosaurus (introduced in 2017). Shunosaurus (introduced in 2016). Citipati (introduced in 2019). Vagaceratops (previously retired) Edmontosaurus (previously retired).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed, that at present there were no plans for Safari Ltd to retire any other prehistoric animal figures for 2023/4.
The spokesperson added:
“We are sorry to see these models being withdrawn. However, we will retain our current pricing policy and not seek to exploit commercially any model becoming rarer. We do like to alert collectors to model retirements, by doing this, collectors have a chance to acquire the model without having to pay excessive prices.”
A pair of limited-edition Haolonggood models are being offered for sale. These fantastic dinosaur figures are limited to a production run of just 150 models. The replicas are made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Each figure is supplied with its own beautiful display base. The dinosaurs featured are Daspletosaurus torosus and Pachyrhinosaurus. The models are in 1:20 scale.
Two limited-edition Haolonggood models. An amazing sculpture of the tyrannosaur Daspletosaurus torosus and a brilliant ceratopsian complete with display base (Pachyrhinosaurus).
Limited-edition Haolonggood Models
The two dinosaurs are due to be made in the autumn and should be ready for delivery to customers in time for Christmas (estimate).
Here are the details:
(A). 1:20 Scale Daspletosaurus torosus
A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale figure of Daspletosaurus torosus complete with a display base. Model measures 46 cm long, 14 cm wide and stands 19 cm high. Weight 3 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £299.00 plus shipping (September 2023).
The spectacular 1:20 scale Daspletosaurus torosus dinosaur sculpture.
(B) 1:20 Scale Pachyrhinosaurus spp.
A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale replica of Pachyrhinosaurus complete with display base. Model measures 31 cm long, 12 cm wide and stands 18 cm high. Weight 3-4 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £249.00 plus shipping (September 2023).
The 1:20 scale Pachyrhinosaurus limited-edition model in lateral view.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“As a way of celebrating the partnership between Haolonggood and Everything Dinosaur these two limited-edition figures are being produced. They are simply fabulous and only 150 painted figures of each dinosaur are available in the entire world. We have received numerous enquiries about them already. Haolonggood are building a formidable reputation in the model making market.”
Scientists have described the first dicraeosaurid sauropod dinosaur known from India. The dinosaur, named Tharosaurus indicus roamed northwestern India during the Middle Jurassic. At around 167 million years old, Tharosaurus indicus represents the earliest diplodocoid dinosaur described to date. It lived at least ten million years earlier than famous North American diplodocids such as Apatosaurus and Diplodocus, to which it was distantly related.
The fragmentary and disarticulated fossils consisting of vertebra and a solitary rib are believed to represent a single animal. The fossils were excavated from shale deposits just north of the village of Jethwai in Rajasthan State. The area is hot and arid, and it is known as the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert. The genus name of this new dinosaur references the Thar Desert, in recognition of the location of the fossil finds. The specific name honours the country of origin – India.
The fossil material was excavated from a bedding plane located at the base of the Fort Member (Jaisalmer Formation) with represents an early to middle Bathonian faunal stage deposition.
The Dicraeosauridae
The dicraeosaurids are a clade of small-bodied diplodocoid sauropods classified by their distinctive vertebrae with long paired neural spines. They are both temporally and geographically dispersed with fossils found in Africa, South America as well as China and the USA. The discovery of Tharosaurus extends their temporal range from the Bathonian faunal stage of the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.
A scale drawing of the first dicraeosaurid to be described – Dicraeosaurus (1914). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The dicraeosaurid illustration (above) is based on the Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus 1:35 scale replica.
The research team suggest that Tharosaurus indicus is a relic of a sauropod lineage that originated in India and underwent rapid dispersal across the rest of Pangaea. Writing in the academic journal “Scientific Research”, the scientists conclude that this fossil discovery provides new insights into sauropod diversity. It also has important implications for the origin and dispersal of neosauropod dinosaurs.
The Sauropoda is thought to have originated in the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic. The origin and radiation of the Neosauropoda and its major clades (Macronaria and the Diplodocoidea) remains contentious. Non-neosauropods were restricted to eastern Gondwana (Zimbabwe and India) and parts of Laurasia (China, Germany and Thailand) during the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic. This suggests that there were barriers preventing their dispersal to the Americas and the most southerly portions of Gondwana. Although preservation and sampling biases cannot be ruled out, neosauropods possibly appeared during the late Early or early Middle Jurassic. The geologically youngest forms being associated with the Americas and Asia.
Tharosaurus indicus – Helping to Clarify Neosauropoda Evolution
Tharosaurus indicus is among the earlier-diverging dicraeosaurid dinosaurs, and its stratigraphic age (Bathonian) makes it the earliest known diplodocoid dinosaur globally. The authors of the paper stress the importance of the Lower and Middle Jurassic deposits of India and propose that further fossil discoveries will help to clarify the evolutionary history of the Neosauropoda.
The scientific paper: “Fossils of the oldest diplodocoid dinosaur suggest India was a major centre for neosauropod radiation” by Sunil Bajpai, Debajit Datta, Pragya Pandey, Triparna Ghosh, Krishna Kumar and Debasish Bhattacharya published in Scientific Reports.
After receiving several enquires from customers, Everything Dinosaur can confirm that all Haolonggood figures will be supplied in Haolonggood model boxes. We have been notified that some suppliers have been selling Haolonggood dinosaurs unboxed. The figures are unpacked and removed from their packaging prior to be shipped. Sending a figure in this way, might reduce postage costs, although it increases the chances of the model being damaged in transit.
We like to give our customers the opportunity of being the first to open a box and to see the figure for themselves. It is all about the purchasing experience. Everything Dinosaur will send out Haolonggood models in their original product packaging.
A total of nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models were in the first shipment of figures from China. Ten different genera of dinosaur are represented. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Haolonggood Model Boxes
The Haolonggood model boxes incorporate superb model photography. We know that many customers purchase our models as they want a pristine figure including the packaging. Some model boxes are never opened, they are stored in a boxed, mint condition by the collector. The photograph (above) shows Haolonggood model boxes in one of the company’s packing rooms ready to pack.
The Haolonggood Allosaurus dinosaur models (Allosaurus Yangzhi and Suochao).
Meeting Customer Expectations
From the emails received, it seems that many Haolonggood fans have been disappointed when they receive an unboxed figure. Our customers can be assured that all our Haolonggood figures will be sent in their original product packaging.
A spokesperson for the UK-based mail order company explained:
“We appreciate how eager dinosaur model fans are for their delivery. We strive to pack and despatch parcels as quickly as we can and we ensure that the model and its outer packaging are well protected in the parcel. Customers can be assured that every single one of our Haolonggood figures can be sent out in its original packaging.”
A selection of Haolonggood model boxes awaiting packing up to send to Everything Dinosaur customers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The recently introduced PNSO theropods Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Megalosaurus feature in our latest newsletter. All three dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur after the latest PNSO shipment arrived at the warehouse. The Albertosaurus dinosaur model is the first new PNSO figure to be featured. Wally the Albertosaurus makes the headlines.
The new for autumn 2023 PNSO Albertosaurus (Wally the Albertosaurus) is featured in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Theropods
PNSO have recently focused on the manufacture of theropod dinosaur models. Tyrannosaurs have proved to be particularly popular. Joining the already in stock Daspletosaurus are Tristan the Gorgosaurus and Wally the Albertosaurus. In addition, the Chinese model manufacturer has introduced a replica of the first dinosaur to be scientifically described Megalosaurus bucklandii.
PNSO theropods in newsletter. The latest customer newsletter includes Tristan the Gorgosaurus and the PNSO Megalosaurus model (Edward the Megalosaurus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Both Tristan (Gorgosaurus) and Edward the Megalosaurus are supplied with a 64-page, full-colour booklet. Each model has a transparent support stand and both PNSO theropods have articulated jaws.
To view the extensive range of PNSO models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
Tyrannosaurus rex and Amargasaurus
The latest PNSO shipment contained a lot of dinosaur figures that had recently become out of stock. Team members were able to contact customers who requested to be kept informed about stocking levels. Stocks of the popular Cameron the T. rex and the Scientific Art Amargasaurus were replenished.
More lizard-hipped dinosaurs! The PNSO Cameron the T. rex figure and the new colour variant of Lucio the Amargasaurus also feature in the newsletter as these two popular figures have just come back into stock. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We welcome the new PNSO theropods. Furthermore, we wanted to make sure all our customers knew about these models as quickly as possible. There had been a lot of emails from collectors concerning these new figures.”
Researchers including scientists from University College Cork (Ireland) have demonstrated that fossil feather proteins can persist over deep time. Using sophisticated and highly sensitive X-ray techniques the team have clarified the chemical composition of feathers preserved in the fossil record.
Encountering a life-size Velociraptor replica at the Manchester Museum. The replica is part of a display that documents the evolution of feathers and the ancestry of modern birds. New research suggests that the protein composition of modern feathers was also present in ancient feathers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Identifying Fossil Feather Proteins
The study, published in “Nature Ecology and Evolution” provides a new perspective on feather evolution. Earlier research had suggested that primitive feathers had a different chemical composition to that of the feathers of extant birds. The new research reveals that the protein composition of modern-day feathers was also present in the feathers of dinosaurs and enantiornithine birds. The researchers conclude that the chemistry of feathers originated much earlier than previously thought.
The study was led by Dr Tiffany Slater and Professor Maria McNamara (School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Science, University College Cork). They worked in collaboration with scientists at Linyi University (China) and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in the USA.
The feathers of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus were analysed. In addition, the integumentary covering of the enantiornithine Confuciusornis was studied.
A life reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus. Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.
Commenting upon the implications of their study, Dr Slater said:
“It’s really exciting to discover new similarities between dinosaurs and birds. To do this, we developed a new method to detect traces of ancient feather proteins. Using X-rays and infrared light we found that feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus contained lots of beta-proteins, just like feathers of birds today.”
Fossilised Proteins
Fossil proteins are valuable tools in evolutionary biology. Recent technological advances and better integration of experimental methods have confirmed the feasibility of biomolecular preservation in deep time, yielding new insights into the timing of key vertebrate evolutionary transitions.
Keratins (formerly α-keratins) and corneous β-proteins (CBPs, formerly β-keratins) are of particular interest to palaeontologists. These proteins define tissue structures that underpin fundamental physiological and ecological strategies and can provide evidence to help map how feathers evolved.
As well as using infrared and sulphur X-ray spectroscopy to plot chemical signals, the team also conducted taphonomic experiments to help them to understand how feather proteins break down during fossilisation.
Dr Slater explained:
“Modern bird feathers are rich in beta-proteins that help strengthen feathers for flight. Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, found mostly alpha-proteins. Our experiments can now explain this weird chemistry as the result of protein degradation during the fossilisation process. So, although some fossil feathers do preserve traces of the original beta-proteins, other fossil feathers are damaged and tell us a false narrative about feather evolution.”
“A bird in the hand”, the Confuciusornis model from PNSO. The chemical composition of Confuciusornis feather fossils was analysed. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The image above shows a Confuciusornis model from the PNSO range.
This study confirms that fossil feather proteins can survive fossilisation, that these proteins can persist through deep time.
Senior author of the study, Professor Maria McNamara (University College Cork) commented:
“Traces of ancient biomolecules can clearly survive for millions of years, but you can’t read the fossil record literally because even seemingly well-preserved fossil tissues have been cooked and squashed during fossilisation. We’re developing new tools to understand what happens during fossilisation and unlock the chemical secrets of fossils. This will give us exciting new insights into the evolution of important tissues and their biomolecules.”
As predicted by the experiments conducted by this study, analyses of Mesozoic feathers confirm that evidence of feather corneous β-proteins (CBPs) can persist through deep time.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from University College Cork in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Preservation of corneous β-proteins in Mesozoic feathers” by Tiffany S. Slater, Nicholas P. Edwards, Samuel M. Webb, Fucheng Zhang and Maria E. McNamara published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Everything Dinosaur can confirm that the recently arrived Ouranosaurus figures WuJu and WuWei have thumb spikes. Yes, we have Ouranosaurus thumb spikes. The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus models in stock at Everything Dinosaur are the latest version. These figures have a thumb spike.
The Haolonggood green Ouranosaurus model (WuJu) with thumb spikes. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Ouranosaurus Thumb Spikes
The earlier production run of these models lacked thumb spikes. However, once this omission had been highlighted, the design team at Haolonggood set about correcting this oversight. The digits on the manus (hand) have been remodelled to reflect more accurately the fossil record.
Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video in the near future that demonstrates how the model has been amended.
Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video highlighting the thumb spikes on the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the Haolonggood model range. He highlighted the details found on the two Ouranosaurus models (WuJu and WuWei).
The spokesperson went onto add:
“We intend to post up a short video on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel featuring the two models. Customers have enquired about these Ouranosaurus figures and want to get the more accurate version with the thumb spike. Our video will highlight the thumb spikes helping to inform and reassure our customers.”
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
A new taxon of avialan theropod has been described from fossils found in Fujian Province (China). This small dinosaur has been named Fujianvenator prodigiosus. The fossil bones demonstrate a mosaic of anatomical features that are shared with early avialans as well as other members of the Maniraptora.
A life reconstruction of Fujianvenator prodigiosus along with other vertebrates associated with the Zhenghe Fauna (Late Jurassic of south-eastern China). Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.
Fujianvenator prodigiosus
Writing in the academic journal “Nature”, the researchers describe this new theropod and state that it is one of the stratigraphically youngest avialans described to date. Fujianvenator roamed a wetland environment around 148-150 million years ago (Tithonian faunal stage of the Late Jurassic). Its fossils are likely to prove invaluable in understanding the evolution of the characteristic bird body plan, and to reconcile phylogenetic controversies over the origin of birds.
Fujianvenator is one of the geographically southernmost Jurassic avialans known to science. The headless specimen was excavated from Nanyuan Formation deposits near Yangyuan Village (Zhenghe County).
Defining the Avialae
The Avialae (means bird wings), is a clade of theropods. It contains the Aves (avian dinosaurs) and all non-avian dinosaurs more closely related to birds than to deinonychosaurs. In turn, the Avialae is part of the larger Maniraptora which includes all birds, and well-known types of dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurs, troodontids, the Alvarezsauroidea, the therizinosaurs and the Oviriaptorosauria.
During the fieldwork, a diverse assemblage of vertebrate fossils were documented. The assemblage is dominated by aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Fossil discoveries include fish, turtles and choristoderes (semi-aquatic, diapsid reptiles). Only one dinosaur fossil has been found at the location (Fujianvenator prodigiosus). Furthermore, this is the first time that a dinosaur fossil has been discovered in Fujian Province.
Fujianvenator prodigiosus fossils and interpretative line drawing. Picture credit: Xu et al Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Fujianvenator and the Zhenghe Fauna
Fujianvenator demonstrates a mosaic of morphological features. The forelimbs are similar to those of Archaeopteryx, whereas the hip bones are more typical of troodontids. The hindlimb is elongated, suggesting that this theropod adapted to a wading lifestyle. In contrast, other early avialans show specific adaptations to powered flight or a life in the trees.
Such is the amount of vertebrate fossil material collected that the palaeontologists can build up a detailed map of this ancient swampland ecosystem. They are confident that it will provide key insights into terrestrial ecosystems of the Late Jurassic. Perhaps more avialan theropod fossils will be found.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new avialan theropod from an emerging Jurassic terrestrial fauna” by Liming Xu, Min Wang, Runsheng Chen, Liping Dong, Min Lin, Xing Xu, Jianrong Tang, Hailu You, Guowu Zhou, Linchang Wang, Wenxing He, Yujuan Li, Chi Zhang and Zhonghe Zhou published in Nature.
The first shipment of Haolonggood dinosaur models is due to arrive at the Everything Dinosaur warehouse on Wednesday, 20th September (2023). A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company explained that the shipment had cleared customs. Transport had been arranged to deliver the Haolonggood dinosaur models to Everything Dinosaur. The models should be on-line and available for sale, either late on the 20th or by early Thursday morning (21st).
The shipment of Haolonggood models has cleared UK customs and is scheduled to arrive at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse on Wednesday, September 20th (2023). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
For information about Haolonggood dinosaur models and other prehistoric animal figures stocked by Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.
Haolonggood Dinosaur Models
In total, there will be nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models delivered.
Here is the full list:
Dicraeosaurus (Yunmi).
Nasutoceratops (Huarong) and Nasutoceratops (Yanqing).
Ouranosaurus (Wuwei) and Ouranosaurus (Wuju).
Tianzhenosaurus (Shixiou) and Tianzhenosaurus (Yangxiong).
Pentaceratops (Lioutang) and Pentaceratops (Likui).
Apatosaurus (Shijing) and Apatosaurus (Huangxin).
Wuerhosaurus (Shiyong) and Wuerhosaurus (Jiaoting).
Pachyrhinosaurus (Ivfang) and Pachyrhinosaurus (Guosheng).
Edmontonia (Jiezhen) and Edmontonia (Jiebao).
Allosaurus (Yangzhi) and Allosaurus (Suochao).
The Haolonggood Allosaurus dinosaur models (Allosaurus Yangzhi and Suochao).
Haolonggood Allosaurus Figures
Haolonggood tend to create two colour variants of each prehistoric animal model that they manufacture. The picture (above) shows the new Haolonggood Allosaurus figures. The model on the left is Suochao, whilst the blue Allosaurus on the right of the image is Yangzhi. Both these Allosaurus models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur.
The spokesperson commented that this was a substantial shipment and team members would do all they could to ensure the figures were available for sale on the company’s website as quickly as possible.
