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

Everything Dinosaur’s work with schools and other educational bodies. Articles, features and stories about dinosaurs and their role in education and educating young people.

8 04, 2024

A Colourful Stegosaurus at Quince Tree Day Nursery

By |2024-04-10T09:32:36+01:00April 8th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we get sent lots of pictures, photographs and artwork from dinosaur fans.  The budding young palaeontologists at Quince Tree Day Nursery (Essex), created a colourful classroom Stegosaurus and they were eager to show our dinosaur experts their armoured dinosaur illustration.  The Stegosaurus seems quite happy in its forest home.  As a plant-eater it would certainly have enough food to eat.  This Jurassic giant probably spent most of its time eating.  A fully-grown Stegosaurus was around nine metres long and it loved its greens.  Our dinosaur experts estimate that this herbivore would have eaten around ten kilograms of plants every day!

Quince Tree Day Nursery Stegosaurus.

The children and teachers at Quince Tree Day Nursery in Essex have created a super Stegosaurus. The nursery recently rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted, have placed their Stegosaurus in a forest, We are sure this plant-eater will be happy with so many plants to eat. Picture credit: Quince Tree Day Nursery.

Picture credit: Quince Tree Day Nursery

Dinosaur Artwork on Display at Quince Tree Day Nursery

The children and teachers at the day nursery have added plates to the back of their Stegosaurus.  In addition, the dinosaur has plates on his neck and around his head.  Quince Tree Day Nursery provides care for children from six weeks to five years of age. The dedicated staff work hard to create a supportive and nurturing environment for the children.  Many youngsters obsess on the Dinosauria, and we often amazed by their knowledge when we get to meet them.

A recent Ofsted inspection of Quince Tree Day Nursery (January 2024) rated this nursery as “Outstanding”.

Stegosaurus lived in the Late Jurassic.  The world looked very different compared to today.  For example, flowering plants had probably not evolved.  However, Stegosaurus would have eaten plants that you can still see today, plants like horsetails.

Horsetails

Stegosaurus lived in a world with very few (if any) flowers.  It munched on horsetails and other plants.  Horsetails (Equisetum) continue to thrive as they are able to grow in areas where other plants would find it difficult to get a foothold. Often regarded as weeds, these tough little plants are essentially living fossils as the earliest examples of the genus Equisetum date from the Early Jurassic of South America. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur congratulated the teachers and children at the nursery for the stunning Stegosaurus artwork.

Our thanks to Rachael for sending into us the delightful photograph.

For a further information on Stegosaurus and free Stegosaurus drawing materials: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

3 04, 2024

Anthropocene Epoch Rejected as a Unit of Geological Time

By |2024-04-03T08:55:26+01:00April 3rd, 2024|Educational Activities, Geology, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has voted to reject the Anthropocene Epoch as a unit of geological time.  Plans to introduce a new geological epoch based on the influence of humans on our planet have been shelved at a meeting of the IUGS.

Last month, a vote was held about the proposal to add the Anthropocene to the chronostratigraphic chart outlining the age of the Earth. This vote, undertaken by members of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) led to a rejection of the proposal. This committee’s decision has now been endorsed by the IUGS.

The influence of mankind on our planet - the Anthropocene Epoch.

The idea of naming a new geological epoch to mark the influence of mankind on the planet has been rejected. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG)

In 2001 the atmospheric chemist, Paul Crutzen, proposed that the activity of mankind was impacting natural environmental conditions to the extent that we had effectively left the natural stable
conditions of the Holocene Epoch and moved into a new interval that he named the Anthropocene.  A committee was established in 2009 to examine this idea.  It was named the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG).  Their brief was to examine the evidence for human induced climate change as reflected in the geological record, and to determine whether a new geological epoch was justified.

The Anthropocene Epoch Rejected – The Full Statement

A statement was released by the IUGS:

“It is with the delegated authority of the IUGS President and Secretary General and on behalf of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) that the vote by the ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) to reject the proposal for an Anthropocene Epoch as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale is approved.”

Although the Anthropocene Epoch will not be appearing in textbooks anytime soon, these findings could be reviewed in a decade or so.  However, the IUGS did recognise the significance of this debate and highlighted the importance of recognising the impact of Homo sapiens on planet Earth.

The lengthy statement included the following:

“Despite its rejection as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale, Anthropocene will nevertheless continue to be used not only by Earth and environmental scientists, but also by social scientists, politicians and economists, as well as by the public at large. It will remain an invaluable descriptor of human impact on the Earth system.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

31 03, 2024

Non-sauropod Sauropodomorphs – A Helpful Explanation

By |2024-04-01T08:48:23+01:00March 31st, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page|0 Comments

The phylogenetic relationship between the Sauropoda and the non-sauropod sauropodomorphs remains uncertain. The discovery of extremely large non-sauropod sauropodomorphs such as Lessemsaurus, Antetonitrus and Ingentia in the Southern Hemisphere demonstrates that some Late Triassic dinosaurs could rival the sauropods in terms of size.  Further work is required to better understand the taxonomic relationship between the Sauropoda and other saurischian dinosaurs known from the Triassic and very Early Jurassic.  These saurischian dinosaurs may or may not be closely related to the Sauropoda clade.

The first sauropodomorphs evolved in the Triassic. Initially, they were small and bipedal. It was thought that gigantism in this clade first evolved in the Early Jurassic and was linked to the Eusauropoda, dinosaurs which were obligate quadrupeds, with column-like legs and were graviportal (only capable of moving slowing). The paucity of the fossil record prevents a more complete understanding of sauropodomorph evolution. However, with the description of Ingentia prima (Apaldetti et al) in 2018 a new family of super-sized non-sauropod sauropodomorphs was established – the Lessemsauridae.

The Lessemsauridae (Non-sauropod Sauropodomorphs)

The Lessemsauridae attained an extremely large body size. These dinosaurs were much larger and heavier than the largest terrestrial mammals found today. They display rapid growth related to the seasonal availability of food. In addition, their skeletons demonstrate many anatomical traits associated with basal sauropodomorphs whilst lacking characteristics previously regarded as adaptations to gigantism.

Members of this family include Ingentia prima from the Quebrada del Barro Formation and Lessemsaurus sauropoides from the Los Colorados Formation (Argentina).  In addition, the Early Jurassic sauropodomorph Antetonitrus ingenipes from the Elliot Formation of South Africa has been included.  More recently other taxa from southern Africa have been added to this clade. Dinosaurs such as Meroktenos and Kholumolumo from Lesotho, and the huge Ledumahadi mafube from South Africa.

Ledumahadi mafube illustrated.

A life reconstruction of Ledumahadi mafube.  Recently this dinosaur has been assigned to the Lessemsauridae clade.

Picture credit: Viktor Radermacher (Witwatersrand University)

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The old definitions of prosauropod and sauropod proved too simplistic.  The evolution of super-sized, herbivorous dinosaurs in the Early Jurassic remains poorly defined.  Hopefully, more complete fossil material from the Norian and Rhaetian faunal stages will help to clarify the taxonomy.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Visit the Everything Dinosaur Website.

17 03, 2024

New Royal Mail Mary Anning Stamps

By |2024-03-21T15:41:21+00:00March 17th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Royal Mail intend to introduce a set of Mary Anning stamps. The set of four stamps feature a portrait of the pioneering palaeontologist and three fossil finds. The stamps have been launched at the same time as a set of prehistoric animal stamps.

The Royal Mail Mary Anning stamps can be purchased individually or as a special presentation set for collectors.

Royal Mail Mary Anning stamps.
Four Royal Mail stamps produced in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of London commemorate the contribution to the nascent science of palaeontology made by the amateur fossil collector Mary Anning (1799-1847). Picture credit: Royal Mail.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s recent article about the Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps: Royal Mail Introduces Prehistoric Animal Stamps.

Ichthyosaurus communis and Other Significant Fossils

One of the stamps illustrating fossil discoveries features Ichthyosaurus communis. This was the first species within the Ichthyosaurus genus to be erected (De la Beche and Conybeare, 1822).

An Ichthyosaurus model
The Ichthyosaurus model (Wild Safari Prehistoric World) ready to take its turn on the Everything Dinosaur turntable. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image (above) shows a typical replica of an ichthyosaur. This marine reptile was a sleek and agile predator with a body shape similar to that of extant dolphins. The dolphin/ichthyosaur body morphology is often cited as an example of convergent evolution.

The model is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range.

To view this range: Models of Prehistoric Animals.

From the Lower Jurassic

The stamps feature three prehistoric animals connected to Mary Anning. Ichthyosaurus communis (top) a complete fossilised juvenile, purchased from Mary Anning circa 1835. Dapedium politum a species of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) collected by Mary Anning circa 1829 (middle). Plesiosaurus macrocephalus (bottom), a near-complete, articulated juvenile collected by Mary Anning in 1830.

Stamps celebrating the discoveries of Mary Anning.
The stamps feature three prehistoric animals connected to Mary Anning. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

A Portrait of Mary Anning

The set of stamps also includes a portrait of Mary Anning. The date of the painting remains unknown, but it has been suggested that it was painted before 1842. It is housed at the Natural History Museum (London). Unfortunately, the name of the artist who created this portrait of Mary in her best clothes was not recorded.

A portrait of Mary Anning part of a Royal Mail stamp collection.
A portrait of Mary Anning. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is wonderful to see Royal Mail recognising the contribution to palaeontology and geology by Mary Anning. We hope these beautiful Mary Anning stamps and the presentation set will spark an interest in the Earth sciences.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

12 03, 2024

New Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps

By |2024-03-21T10:02:24+00:00March 12th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

A beautiful set of Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps is being introduced. The main set will feature prehistoric animals including Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops and Stegosaurus. A second set of stamps is also going on sale commemorating the life and works of Mary Anning.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (2024).
The eight main stamps feature beautiful illustrations of prehistoric animals by the Exeter-based digital concept illustrator Joshua Dunlop. Six dinosaurs are featured along with a pterosaur (Coloborhynchus) and a plesiosaur (Cryptoclidus). Picture credit: Royal Mail.

Celebrating Two Hundred Years Since the Formal Description of Megalosaurus

2024 marks the two hundredth anniversary of the formal, scientific description of a prehistoric animal that was later to be classified as a dinosaur. The theropod dinosaur Megalosaurus was named and described in 1824 by the Reverend William Buckland who was president of the Geological Society of London. The binomial species name Megalosaurus bucklandii was erected in 1827. This was the first scientific account in the western world of a dinosaur. Megalosaurus features on a pair of stamps along with the roughly contemporaneous marine reptile Cryptoclidus.

Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps (Megalosaurus and Cryptoclidus).
The fourth pair of stamps feature a Megalosaurus encountering a plesiosaur (Cryptoclidus) whilst wading through shallow water. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

Megalosaurus was for a long time a taxonomic waste basket. Theropod fossils from different strata were assigned to this taxon. The only definitive Megalosaurus remains come from Oxfordshire (England).

The PNSO Megalosaurus model.
A model of Megalosaurus bucklandii. The new for 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a model of Megalosaurus bucklandii from PNSO.

To view the PNSO range of prehistoric animal figures: PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps

The eight prehistoric animal stamps were created by Joshua Dunlop, a digital concept artist based in Exeter (Devon). A second set of stamps features a portrait of the pioneering fossil collector Mary Anning. In addition, three stamps have been created that show photographs of fossils associated with Mary Anning and the Lower Jurassic rocks of Lyme Regis.

The list of dinosaurs featured:

  • Tyrannosaurus
  • Triceratops
  • Stegosaurus
  • Diplodocus
  • Iguanodon
  • Megalosaurus
Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops).
Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus feature on the new for 2024 Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps. Only the genus name for Tyrannosaurus is given on the stamps and in the accompanying Royal Mail press release. We suspect that this is an illustration of Tyrannosaurus rex. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

In Collaboration with the London Natural History Museum

The Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps were created in collaboration with the London Natural History Museum.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Stegosaurus and Diplodocus).
Diplodocus and Stegosaurus feature on the Royal Mail £2 stamps. These animals are known from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the United States. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

North American dinosaurs are featured (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus). Prehistoric animals known from fossil discoveries from southern England are also included. Each pair of stamps show a similar image but from a different prehistoric animal’s perspective. For example, one pair of stamps depicts a herd of Iguanodon escaping a forest fire whilst a flock of startled pterosaurs (Coloborhynchus) fly overhead.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Coloborhynchus and Iguanodon).
One of the largest toothed pterosaurs known to science is featured on a stamp (Coloborhynchus). It accompanies an Iguanodon stamp. Both these prehistoric animals are known from the Lower Cretaceous of England. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

Everything Dinosaur Comments

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“These are beautiful stamps. The eight prehistoric animal stamps show four different scenes, and they are designed to be viewed as pairs. For instance, the Tyrannosaurus stamp shows this theropod attacking a Triceratops. In contrast, the Triceratops stamp shows the horned dinosaur fending off a lunge from the Tyrannosaurus.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys, Models and Dinosaur Clothing.

3 03, 2024

Thirteen Batches of Frogspawn in the Office Pond

By |2024-03-02T21:35:49+00:00March 3rd, 2024|Adobe CS5, Animal News Stories, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Common frogs (Rana temporaria) began breeding in the office pond very early this year. The first batch of frogspawn was observed on the morning of Saturday, the 18th of February. Frog activity had been observed in the pond a few days earlier. The spawning season has stared early, perhaps because of the mild, wet weather. February the 18th is the earliest date in the year that we have recorded frogspawn. Last year (2023), the first frogspawn was recorded on the 28th of February. This was the first time that we had recorded frogs spawning in February.

We estimate that by this weekend, a total of thirteen batches of frogspawn had been laid. The number of frogs seen in the pond has rarely exceeded four or five. However, other frogs must be visiting the pond and breeding during the night or in the early morning.

Frogspawn in the office pond recorded on the 2nd March (2024).
A large amount of frogspawn observed in the office pond on the morning of the 2nd of March (2024). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Record Amount of Frogspawn

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Although we cannot be certain, there could be a record amount of frogspawn in the office pond. We think there are thirteen batches in total. All the eggs were laid in a shallow part of the pond.”

Hopefully, the sudden cold snap with overnight frosts will not have harmed the eggs. We are looking forward to watching the tadpoles hatch.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

24 02, 2024

Studying Sea Scorpion Fossils – How Did Eurypterids Breathe?

By |2024-03-16T17:25:24+00:00February 24th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Educational Activities, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

The eurypterids were an extremely successful group of arthropods. These animals are often referred to as “sea scorpions”. However, their taxonomic relationship to extant scorpions remains unclear and they were not confined to marine environments. These invertebrates are members of the Subphylum Chelicerata (claw horns) and are members of the Eurypterida Order. Approximately 250 different species have been named. One of the fascinating aspects of eurypterids is understanding how they breathed.

Examining sea scorpion fossils
A fossil of a sea scorpion (eurypterid) on display at the Manchester Museum. Note the pointed end segment (telson). Probably an example of the Silurian eurypterid Eurypterus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

How Did Eurypterids Breathe?

Most palaeontologists believe that eurypterids evolved in marine environments. However, fossils have been found in association with estuarine and freshwater environments. Carboniferous trackways suggest that some eurypterids may have been amphibious and able to spend some time on land.

No eurypterid is thought to have been wholly or primarily terrestrial. There is some remarkable fossil evidence to suggest that they did evolve air-breathing organs. When discussing respiration, it is thought that the primary organs of aquatic respiration are likely to have been retained at least in part.

The extant horseshoe crab (Limulus) may provide an analogue. These animals inhabit marine environments although they do venture into shallow water to mate and onto the shore to lay eggs. Horseshoe crabs have five pairs of gills located on their abdomen (Opisthosoma). Each pair of gills consists of flap-like structures covering a series of membranes that resemble the pages from a book. These are called lamellae, but their morphology has given rise to the popular term “book lungs”. Oxygen is absorbed via gaseous exchange on the surface area of the lamellae.

CollectA Horseshoe crab model in ventral view
The CollectA Horseshoe crab model in ventral view (view of the underside). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image (above) shows a ventral view of the popular CollectA horseshoe crab model.

To view the range of CollectA models in stock: CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Four Pairs of Book Gills or Five?

Debate still continues as to whether eurypterids had four pairs of book gills or five. A specimen of Onychopterella augusti from Late Ordovician strata located in South Africa preserved four pairs of vertical book gills. The book gills were located in the third to sixth segments of the abdomen. It has been suggested that all eurypterids had four pairs of book gills rather than the five pairs seen in xiphosurans such as horseshoe crabs.

Terrestrial scorpions also have four pairs of vertically orientated book lungs, located in the third to sixth body segments. It is not known whether this is case of synapomorphy (shared characteristic different from that of their latest common ancestor). This anatomical similarity could indicate that scorpions (Order Scorpiones) are more closely related to eurypterids than previously thought. The phylogenetic relationship between eurypterids and other members of the Arthropoda remains controversial.

Pancaked Sea Scorpion Fossils

Unfortunately, most fossil specimens of eurypterids are squashed flat and may only represent exuviae (shed exoskeletons after moulting [ecdysis]).

Two Pterygotus sea scorpion fossils.
Examples of the Pterygotioidea eurypterid lineage. Note the flattened, blade-like telson that probably helped with propulsion or acted like a rudder helping to steer the animal through the water. The fossils represent Pterygotus anglicus. A pair of beautiful sea scorpion fossils. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: The Everything Dinosaur website.

18 02, 2024

Frogspawn Discovered in the Office Pond

By |2024-02-18T21:22:20+00:00February 18th, 2024|Animal News Stories, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

We have frogspawn in the office pond. Today, a clump of frogspawn was observed in a shallow area of the office pond. Frogs had been spotted in the pond a few days ago, it seems that the spawning season has started. This is the earliest date in the year that we have recorded frogspawn. Last year (2023), the first frogspawn was recorded on the 28th of February. This was the first time that the frogs have spawned in February. This year, the frogs have begun spawning even earlier.

Frogspawn in the office pond.
Frogspawn in the office pond. Today, 18th February a batch of frogspawn was observed in the office pond. This is the earliest recorded spawning. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Common Frogs (Rana temporaria)

The spawn was produced by Common frogs (Rana temporaria). Observations by team members suggest that there were four frogs in the pond. The pond has been created to attract wildlife and frogs have laid their eggs in the pond each spring since 2008. For many years the frogs spawned around the third week of March. However, there is a distinct trend for recording spawning much earlier in the year.

Could this be a consequence of global warming and climate change?

It has certainly been very mild over the last week or two. Temperatures of 13-14 degrees Celsius have been recorded in the northwest of England. The average temperature for February in the Manchester area of England would normally be expected to be around 4-7 degrees Celsius.

A close-up view of the frogspawn (18th February, 2024).
A close-up view of the frogspawn laid early in the morning of 18th February. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Frogspawn Laid in a Shallow Part of the Pond

The frogs have laid their eggs in a shallow part of the pond. Eggs are not normally laid in this part of the office pond. Folklore suggests that if frogs lay in the shallows, then the next few weeks will be mild but wet. We will continue to observe the pond to see if more frogs arrive and more spawn is produced.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

13 02, 2024

Studying Stunning Sea Scorpion Fossils

By |2024-03-03T12:39:31+00:00February 13th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Educational Activities, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Eurypterids (Eurypterida) are often referred to as sea scorpions. Like scorpions these extinct invertebrates are members of the Arthropoda Phylum. They are distantly related to extant scorpions and spiders. It is thought that the first eurypterids evolved during the Ordovician. They thrived in the Silurian and Devonian. Giant forms evolved, animals like Jaekeklopterus, Acutiramus and Pterygotus. However, the number of taxa was severely depleted during the end-Devonian extinction event and although they survived for at least another 100 million years or so, during the Carboniferous and Permian they only made up a very small percentage of the taxa described from fossil deposits.

Two Pterygotus sea scorpion fossils.
Examples of the Pterygotioidea eurypterid lineage. Note the flattened, blade-like telson that probably helped with propulsion or acted like a rudder helping to steer the animal through the water. The fossils represent Pterygotus anglicus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows two Pterygotus anglicus fossil specimens on display at the London Natural History Museum. These Early Devonian fossils come from Arbroath (Scotland).

The Shape of the Telson

Note the broad, flattened, blade-like final segment of the animal. This is the telson and in the Pterygotioidea lineage (as well as in some other Superfamilies), the telson evolved into an organ to help with propulsion and steering. In other eurypterids, the telson is shaped very differently. For example, in the sea scorpion fossil (below), the telson is long and pointed.

Examining sea scorpion fossils
A fossil of a sea scorpion (eurypterid) on display at the Manchester Museum. Note the pointed end segment (telson). Probably an example of the Silurian eurypterid Eurypterus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

The Giant Claws (Chelicerae) Seen in Some Sea Scorpion Fossils

The segmented body of eurypterids consisted of the frontal prosoma (head) and the posterior opisthosoma (abdomen). The prosoma contained the mouth and six pairs of appendages which are usually referred to as appendage pairs I to VI using Roman numerals. The segments that make up the opisthosoma are usually numbered using Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3 etc. The opisthosoma comprised twelve segments in total plus the telson.

The first pair of appendages, the only pair located in front of the mouth opening, is called the chelicerae (pronounced kel-iss-ser-ray). This pair of appendages evolved into a myriad of forms in the Chelicerata (pronounced kel-iss-ser-rat-ah), the Subphylum containing the eurypterids, spiders, mites, scorpions and horseshoe crabs. This pair of appendages form the fangs seen in spiders and form the feeding limbs of horseshoe crabs.

An Atlantic horseshoe crab viewed ventrally.
An Atlantic horseshoe crab in ventral view with the six pairs of appendages and the telson labelled. The first pair of appendages (chelicerae) help to push food into the mouth opening. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Powerful Pincers Adapted for Grasping Prey

Some of these appendages, such as the chelicerae of giant pterygotids evolved into powerful pincers armed with strong claws analogous to those seen in crabs and lobsters. These chelicerae seem to be adapted for grasping and subduing prey. This suggests that many eurypterids were predatory.

A sea scorpion claw
A stunning fossil of a sea scorpion (eurypterid) claw housed at the National Museum Cardiff (Wales) photographed in 2019 when team members at Everything Dinosaur visited. The image shows a single chelicera ramus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Note

A single appendage is referred to as a chelicera (pronounced kel-iss-ser-rah). Whereas a pair or more are referred to as chelicerae (kel-iss-ser-ray).

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that these arthropods were remarkable animals.

“Some 250 different taxa have been described and some of these sea scorpions show adaptations that indicate they may have been partially terrestrial. Venturing out onto land is supported by trace fossils potentially preserving tracks of eurypterids walking across mud close to bodies of water.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

12 02, 2024

The CollectA Horseshoe Crab Model is Reviewed

By |2024-02-24T17:06:48+00:00February 12th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Animal News Stories, Educational Activities, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

In 2020, CollectA introduced a Horseshoe crab model. These animals are members of the Limulidae family. This model of an ancient invertebrate is extremely detailed. The Horseshoe crab lineage has a fossil record that dates back to the Ordovician. Team members were asked to take some photographs of the figure for a palaeontology related project.

CollectA Horseshoe crab model in lateral view.
CollectA Horseshoe crab in lateral view. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The CollectA Horseshoe Crab Model

The model is very detailed, and the paint scheme makes this replica look extremely realistic. However, it is on the underside where the care and dedication of the design team really shows.

CollectA Horseshoe crab model in ventral view
The CollectA Horseshoe crab model in ventral view (view of the underside). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the not-to-scale CollectA range of models available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

The small chelicerae (modified claws) are bent towards the mouth. These appendages pass food into the mouth. The walking legs show the bifurcated end segments, and the rear “pusher” leg is clearly visible. The design team have included a vent at the base of the long, pointed telson.

Atlantic Horseshoe crab in ventral view.
An Atlantic Horseshoe crab in ventral view (view of the underside). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows an Atlantic Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) in ventral view. It is on display at the London Natural History Museum.

CollectA Horseshoe Crab model.
CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Size Horseshoe crab figure. The model measures 15 centimetres in length and the width of the carapace is 7.7 cm approximately.

In horseshoe crabs, the head and thorax are fused. This structure is called the prosoma. It is also sometimes referred to as the cephalothorax. The cephalothorax is covered in a hard, protective carapace.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Take a Look at the Everything Dinosaur Website.

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