Researchers have erected a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies of theropod dinosaur based on fossil tracks. The dinosaur has been named Farlowichnus rapidus.
The trackways come from the Lower Cretaceous Botucatu Formation of Brazil. The sandstones preserve a variety of trackways including dinosaurs. The tracks were made when animals traversed the extensive dune fields that once existed in this ancient desert. The sandstones of Botucatu Formation originally covered a land area estimated to be at least 1,300,000 km2, an area larger than the Gobi Desert. The ancient sandstones of the Botucatu Formation represent the largest fossil desert known to science.
Farlowichnus rapidus
The three-toed prints that led to the erection of the new dinosaur ichnogenus Farlowichnus were donated to Brazil’s Museum of Earth Sciences (Museu de Ciências da Terra) in 1984. The stride pattern indicates a small biped probably less than a metre tall. This dinosaur was probably carnivorous and fleet-footed, its light body able to traverse the dunes without disturbing the sands too much. This permitted the prints to be preserved.
A new ichnogenus of fleet-footed theropod has been described from fossilised trackways preserved in sandstones located in the Paraná Basin (Brazil).
Picture credit: Cretaceous Research
Unique Characteristics
The tracks differ from other theropod ichnogenera. The footprints have a relatively large and very wide digit III and small, short, pointed, bladelike outer digits. The most significant characteristic is that digit II is longer and more robust than digit IV. As a result of this unusual morphology, the general outline of the footprint reminded the scientists of a water droplet. Although three toes are in contact with the ground (a tridactyl print), most of the weight would have been supported by the oversized digit III, making the foot essentially monodactylous.
A similar foot morphology is seen in living archosaurs today. The ostrich (Struthio camelus) walks on two toes (digits III and IV). Digit III is much more robust and supports most of the bird’s weight.
Views of the foot of an ostrich (Struthio camelus). Dorsal (left) and ventral (right). The third digit (III) is greatly enlarged, it is much larger than digit IV. Essentially the foot morphology gives this extant bird an almost monodactylous pes. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Ancestors of Noasaurs and Velocisaurs
The ichnogenus name honours the palaeontologist James O. Farlow, for his extensive work on dinosaur trace fossils. The species name “rapidus” reflects the likely habits of this small theropod. It was probably able to run fast, and it was extremely agile.
Writing in the academic journal “Cretaceous Research”, the authors of the scientific paper speculate that Farlowichnus was an ancestor of other theropod clades such as the noasaurs and velocisaurs.
The scientific paper: “Farlowichnus rapidus new ichnogen., new ichnosp.: A speedy and small theropod in the Early Cretaceous Botucatu paleodesert (Paraná Basin), Brazil” by Giuseppe Leonardi, Marcelo Adorna Fernandes, Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Julia Beatrice Schutzer and Rafael Costa da Silva published in Cretaceous Research.
As Everything Dinosaur prepares for the arrival of the new Schleich prehistoric animal figures, we have been busy preparing fact sheets. One of our jobs was to create a Moros intrepidus scale drawing. The Schleich Moros model represents the first time we have had this tyrannosauroid in our range. We commissioned an illustration based on the image sent out with the original Moros intrepidus media release. A human figure was added to provide a scale for this three-metre-long theropod.
The recently commissioned Moros intrepidus illustration has been incorporated into a scale drawing for use in the next Everything Dinosaur fact sheet to be prepared. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A Moros intrepidus Scale Drawing
For every named prehistoric animal figure that we sell, we try to research and write a fact sheet. Our fact sheets have been well received by customers. Requests are received each week as collectors try to complete their collections. Moros intrepidus was formally named and described in 2019. At around three metres long and with it standing about 1.2 metres high at the hips, it was no giant. However, it was a distantly related forerunner of the giant tyrannosaurs that were to dominate Late Cretaceous ecosystems of North America. It lived some thirty million years before Tyrannosaurus rex.
Schleich are going to introduce six new dinosaur figures in early 2024. Some of these new models will be coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur next month (December 2023). One of these figures is a replica of Moros intrepidus, hence the need to compile a fact sheet.
The new for 2024 Schleich Moros intrepidus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We try to write a fact sheet for all the prehistoric animal models and figures we stock. As Moros is one of several new Schleich figures, we needed to create a Moros intrepidus scale drawing and fact sheet. We intend to send out the fact sheet with sales of the Schleich Moros model.”
For further information about the extensive range stocked by Everything Dinosaur, visit the company’s website: Everything Dinosaur.
Less than a week to go now before the start of the TetZooCon 2023 event. Once again, Everything Dinosaur are proud to be involved with this conference and as a sponsor we wish the organisers every success. This is the tenth TetZooCon, the conference is becoming an institution, a must attend event for anyone with an interest in the natural world, the Earth sciences and palaeoart.
Many of Everything Dinosaur’s chums will be attending. Unfortunately, pressures of work have once again prevented us from going, but we will be thinking of everyone next weekend.
The TetZooCon banner for 2023 which has been designed by Darren Naish, one of the conference organisers.
Picture credit: Darren Naish
TetZooCon 2023
TetZooCon 2023 will be held at Bush House, King’s College, London, on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 2023, with an evening reception on Friday December 1st and a fieldtrip on Monday 4th December. For the first time ever, the TetZooCon will consist of parallel sessions throughout.
Several of the sessions are dedicated to marine reptile research. Attendees will get the chance to meet “Flip” the world’s most scientifically accurate swimming plesiosaur. Dr Dean Lomax will be delivering a presentation covering the latest research into the “Rutland Sea Dragon”. Not to be outdone, Emily Swaby will be discussing Yorkshire’s very own giant marine reptile – Temnodontosaurus crassimanus.
Dr Dean Lomax working on the skull of the Rutland ichthyosaur, the largest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK. Picture credit: Matthew Power.
Palaeoart in Perspective
The very talented Luis Rey will lead a panel discussion on the Past and Future of Palaeoart. Co-host Darren Naish will provide an insight into the television series “Prehistoric Planet” and expect living archosaurs such as corvids and cassowaries to enter the debate.
On Sunday (December 3rd), Nigel Marven will look back on his adventures filming dinosaurs and other reptiles. In addition, during Sunday lunch time there will be a special screening of the film “The Lost World” from 1925.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We wish we could attend next weekend. Bush House at King’s College, London is going to be buzzing. Our congratulations to Darren Naish and John Conway for all their hard work organising such an exciting event.”
Today, Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with CollectA makes the fourth and final announcement about new CollectA models for 2024. We can introduce three new CollectA figures namely:
Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – Stalking.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Placerias.
All three of these new prehistoric animal models will be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024 or thereabouts.
The Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – stalking figure.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon model.The male Diprotodon has an injury on its cheek. It is likely that these large mammals fought rivals. The CollectA Deluxe model sports a bite from another male Diprotodon.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Placerias model.
New CollectA Models for 2024
The last of the figures to be announced this year, include a polar dinosaur, the biggest marsupial that ever lived and a Late Triassic dicynodont. In total, there will be seven new CollectA prehistoric animals plus the mini sauropod set.
CollectA Nanuqsaurus – stalking
The Age of Dinosaurs Popular figure reflects the very latest scientific interpretation of Nanuqsaurus (N. hoglundi). Fossils of this tyrannosaur come from the Prince Creek Formation in northern Alaska. When first described in 2014 (Fiorillo and Tykoski), this dinosaur was thought to be relatively small, perhaps around six metres in length. Subsequent discoveries including cranial and postcranial material has led to a reassessment of this theropod. A scientific paper published in August (2023) postulated that Nanuqsaurus was comparable in size to other Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs such as Daspletosaurus.
Nanuqsaurus was probably a permanent resident of the polar north. At around nine metres long (possibly bigger), it was the apex predator in the environment.
The CollectA figure has been given a robust and powerful body. It is covered in a coat of shaggy feathers. The tail has a plume on its end. Whilst speculative (as is the entire integumentary covering), the plume could have played a role in visual communication, or perhaps this dinosaur wrapped its tail around its body to help keep it warm. This posture has been observed in other theropod dinosaurs. Nanuqsaurus would have had to endure around four months each year of almost total darkness. The paint scheme chosen would have provided excellent camouflage as this predator roamed the polar forests.
Diprotodon was the first fossil mammal from Australia to be scientifically described (1838). The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon represents a male. This huge animal stood around 1.8 metres high at the shoulder, measured approximately 4 metres in length and weighed over 3 tonnes.
The CollectA Diprotodon has an old scar from an attack by a marsupial lion (Thylacoleo). When fully grown, a healthy male Diprotodon would have been virtually invulnerable.
The CollectA Diprotodon model has an old scar from a marsupial lion on its rump.
Related to living wombats, this gentle giant lived during the Pleistocene, becoming extinct less than 50,000 years ago. Climate change leading to extensive droughts may have been a factor, but hunting and habitat destruction by the first Aboriginal Australians cannot be ruled out. It is likely that Diprotodon males fought with each other over social status and mates, hence the fresh bite mark on the cheek and the torn ear which signifies an older injury.
The stripes on the rump are a nod in the direction of the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger). Advances in genetic engineering could lead to the de-extinction of the Thylacine and its reintroduction to Australia. CollectA have made a model of an extinct marsupial, and its colour scheme partly reflects the tantalising prospect of the resurrection of another iconic Australian animal.
CollectA Diprotodon has a torn ear. It is likely big males fought each other for mating rites, territory and social status.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Scale Placerias
The last figure for 2024 is a Deluxe Placerias. Placerias was a dicynodont and therefore distantly related to modern mammals. Fossils of this Late Triassic herbivore come from the USA, most notably from a single location in Arizona known as the “Placerias Quarry”. The remains of at least forty individuals have been found, suggesting that this herbivore lived in herds.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Placerias model.
The CollectA Deluxe Placerias joins the CollectA Lisowicia bojani model that was introduced in 2020. It is likely that Placerias spent much of its time wallowing in shallow water and feeding on bankside vegetation, filling an ecological niche similar to the extant hippopotamus.
Although associated with an equatorial environment, the CollectA Deluxe Placerias has been given a subtle coat of body hair.
The CollectA Deluxe Placerias has a sparse covering of body hair running down its back. This reflects recent research on dicynodonts.
Hair remnants found in the fossilised faeces (coprolites) of Permian carnivores indicate that dicynodonts may have been covered in a coat of insulating body hair and therefore endothermic (warm-blooded), with a metabolism similar to a modern mammal. In recognition of this recent discovery and to reflect its mammalian links, the CollectA Deluxe Placerias has been given a sparse patch of bristles running along its back to the chubby tail.
Model Measurements
Here are those all-important model measurements:
Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – stalking (length 15.7 cm, height 4.5 cm).
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Diprotodon (length 20.5 cm). We estimate the height at the shoulder to be around 12.5 cm).
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Placerias (length 15.7 cm, height 8 cm).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that these figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2024.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur spotted a cute Sinosauropteryx reconstruction on display at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg in Frankfurt. We visited the museum back in 2017, providing a break from the Frankfurter Buchmesse that we had been attending. The little, life-sized dinosaur was part of an exhibit outlining the origin of birds. A model such as this, helps visitors to interpret fossil information.
A Sinosauropteryx reconstruction on display at the Frankfurt Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Sinosauropteryx Reconstruction
Sinosauropteryx has been classified as a member of the Compsognathidae family of theropod dinosaurs. At the time of its scientific description (1996, Ji and Ji), it was classified as a primitive bird. Subsequent revision, placing Sinosauropteryx within the Compsognathidae confirmed that this dinosaur was not closely related to birds. However, it does represent the first dinosaur taxon outside of the Avialae clade to show definitive evidence for feathers.
Sinosauropteryx on display – the first feathered dinosaur described. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO of China did produce a range of smaller prehistoric animal figures including several feathered models. These figures were beautifully painted and highlighted many feathered dinosaurs and primitive birds.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We come across lots of life reconstructions on display in museum cabinets. Whilst this Sinosauropteryx is perhaps, a little outdated, it still provides visitors with information about this small dinosaur. It is quite an endearing model of a tiny theropod. By having a model in the display this helps visitors to better interpret the fossils within the exhibit”
Engineering students visit Everything Dinosaur. As part of the company’s work in the community, Everything Dinosaur was visited by Tom and Bolaji, two final year engineering students at Liverpool John Moores University. Tom and Bolaji are currently working on a practical project that focuses on using state-of-the-art software and engineering skills. The project forms part of their final year studies.
Sue from Everything Dinosaur with engineering students Tom and Bolaji from Liverpool John Moores University. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Students Visit Everything Dinosaur
We hope that Tom and Bolaji found the visit to our offices and warehouse illuminating. Everything Dinosaur team members have worked on a number of student projects. Recently, we were invited to talk to students at Manchester Metropolitan University. We have been engaged in several outreach projects, it is all about giving something back to the wider community and helping to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It was wonderful to meet the two students. Their energy, enthusiasm and approach to business problems was refreshing. Tom and Bolaji definitely have a “can do” attitude. It was great to be able to exchange ideas and consider problems in our industry from a different perspective.”
Everything Dinosaur wishes them every success with their engineering project and in their careers.
The new for 2023 Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia models have arrived at Everything Dinosaur. This set consists of two 1:20 scale replicas of prehistoric animals associated with the Permian of Russia. This is the third set of figures to be introduced into the Wild Past range, following the Protoceratops and the Tethyshadros pair.
The Wild Past Kotlassia (left) and the Wild Past Scutosaurus (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia Figures
Scutosaurus was a Late Permian pareiasaur. It was one of the largest terrestrial vertebrates of the Late Permian. Known from several near complete skeletons, it is thought that this herbivore weighed more than a 1,000 kilograms. It was coeval with Kotlassia. Formally named and described in 1921 (Vladimir Amalitsky) Kotlassia (K. prima) is thought to be a basal member of the Seymouriamorpha. It may have been semi-aquatic, part of a group of transitional forms evolving into fully terrestrial animals.
The new for 2023 Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia 1:20 scale models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that these two figures will be supplied with fact sheets. The spokesperson added:
“We congratulate the team at Wild Past for their excellent and unusual prehistoric animal figures. It is not everyday that Permain prehistoric animals get put into the spotlight. The Tethyshadros pair and the Protoceratops model with nest have proved popular, we are sure Kotlassia and Scutosaurus will prove popular with collectors too.”
The Wild Past Scutosaurus (close-up of the head). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the extensive range of prehistoric animal themed merchandise including models and toys available from Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur team members have posted up a CollectA Dreadnoughtus video review. This short video, it lasts under ten minutes, can be found on the company’s YouTube channel. The video discusses the fossil material associated with this titanosaur and examines a Dreadnoughtus prototype model in detail.
Everything Dinosaur’s video review of the CollectA Deluxe 1:100 Scale Dreadnoughtus.
Recently, Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with CollectA announced the second batch of new for 2024 prehistoric animal figures. The Dreadnoughtus video provides an overview of the CollectA Deluxe replica. It is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early in 2024.
The Dreadnoughtus figure that features in the CollectA Deluxe video review. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Video Contents 0:00 – Introducing Dreadnoughtus. 0:30 – Dreadnoughtus Prototype. 1:04 – Subscribe! 1:15 – Reviewing the Prototype! 3:28 – Dreadnoughtus Fossils. 4:48 – Debate about the Weight! 6:09 – The Dreadnoughtus Name. 7:17 – Available early 2024. 7:46 – Question of the Day! 8:42 – Follow us on Social Media. 9:09 – Where to Buy CollectA Models. 9:40 – Thank You!
Dreadnoughtus schrani
This huge sauropod was formally described in 2014 (Lacovara et al). Fossils representing two individual animals were excavated from outcrops of the Cerro Fortaleza Formation in Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia. The discovery of well-preserved limb bones enabled the research team to use limb bone circumference calculations to estimate the body weight of this leviathan. At the time of publication, it was suggested that Dreadnoughtus could have weighed more than 59 tonnes. The specimen upon which this body mass estimate was based, was not fully grown.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that this new for 2024 CollectA figure would be in stock early in 2024. No arrival date had been confirmed at this time, but the figure could be in stock around March 2024.
Today, we make the third announcement with regards to new CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2024. CollectA will introduce a 1:20 scale armoured dinosaur and a new set of mini-dinosaur figures.
CollectA mini sauropod model set.
CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus.
At this time, we are not sure as to when the CollectA mini-sauropod set will be available. The CollectA Polacanthus is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024 or thereabouts.
Team members will discuss the mini-sauropod set in detail in a future blog post. For the moment we will focus on the new for 2024 Polacanthus foxii figure.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Polacanthus figure.
If Polacanthus had a parascapular spine it was a splate. A splate being a spine raised on a plate of bone (combination of plate and spine). This has been located over the shoulder.
CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus
Polacanthus (P. foxii) was scientifically described in 1865. The fragmentary holotype (NHMUK PV R175) was excavated from Upper Wessex Formation strata on the Isle of Wight. Numerous other specimens have been assigned to this genus in the past. The polacanthids have undergone an extensive revision. Today, only the holotype material is assigned to P. foxii.
The dermal armour of this member of the Ankylosauria clade has been carefully reconstructed on the figure. The arrangement of the spikes and bosses is largely speculative.
The animal has a triangular shaped head. It broadens out considerably towards the back of the skull. The head is more typical of an ankylosaur. The narrow skull seen in some life reconstructions has been abandoned in favour of a skull shape that reflects the known polacanthid body plan. The model has two cervical rings of armour on the neck. It may have had three rings, but the fossil record of this dinosaur is quite poor. Only two cervical rings can be demonstrated by the fossil material, so the model has just two cervical rings. The limb proportions seem appropriate and great care has been taken in the placement and orientation of the dermal armour.
The Polacanthus figure shows countershading on the underside and the design team have moved away from the typical brown and rust red colouration associated with the Ankylosauria.
A Revision of the Wealden Group Armoured Dinosaurs
Work is continuing to revise and define the armoured dinosaur fossil material associated with the extensive Wealden Group. CollectA were keen to introduce a revised Polacanthus figure with a sacral shield. This new model is a considerable improvement on the CollectA Prehistoric Life Polacanthus which did not have a sacral shield.
In addition, CollectA wanted to introduce an updated figure as recent research has continued to define the genus and has led to the erection of new armoured dinosaur species. For example, earlier this year, a new Wealden Formation ankylosaur was named Vectipelta barretti.
Although fossils assigned to Vectipelta were once thought to represent Polacanthus, studies have revealed that these two dinosaurs were not that closely related. In addition, Vectipelta could be as much as eight million years older than the holotype Polacanthus foxii material.
A prototype figure photographed in dorsal view to show the detailed armour. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Polacanthus figure has a declared scale of 1:20. The CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus dinosaur model measures 27.5 cm in length and the tip of the beautiful tail is held 13 cm high in the air.
The model will be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024.
Some of the spikes have been broken. Damaged spikes on the CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus figure are highlighted by red arrows. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Whilst searching for an image in the Everything Dinosaur database, we came across a photograph of a counting with dinosaurs exercise. The picture had been taken on a visit to Whirley Primary in Cheshire back in 2019. The teaching team had launched an imaginative dinosaur-themed term topic. Everything Dinosaur team members were invited into the school to explain all about dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs and fossils help young children with numbers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Counting with Dinosaurs
The reception class had been struggling with addition and subtraction. The teaching team developed some simple prehistoric-animal themed counting exercises to help the children to become more confident. After our visit, we supplied the school with some additional, free teaching resources.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We supplied the school with some additional teaching materials. Lesson plans and supporting materials to assist with the scheme of work were emailed. It is always a pleasure to help schools. We do our best to assist the teaching teams.”
