The next prehistoric animal model to be added to the Eofauna Scientific Research range is a fabulous model of the ancient elephant Konobelodon atticus, the figure is in 1:35 scale and is Eofauna’s first “shovel-tusker” model.

The figure is scheduled to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early in 2022 (estimated arrival time at the UK warehouse – February 2022).

Konobelodon atticus

Konobelodon was an enormous amebelodontid, one of the very last of its kind. Several species have been described since the first fossils associated with this genus were studied in the mid-19th century. It is characterised by its pair of huge, flattened tusks in its lower jaw and its extremely long pair of straight tusks in its upper jaw. The model represents Konobelodon atticus, fossils of which were first discovered in Greece (Late Miocene deposits).

Konobelodon atticus was originally named Mastodon atticus by the German palaeontologist and zoologist Johann Andreas Wagner in 1857. The extensive, Miocene-aged deposits at Pikermi on the Attica peninsular of Greece, were discovered by Bavarian soldiers, part of the army of the Bavarian prince Otto, who ruled Greece for thirty years from 1832 until he was deposed in 1862. Fossils of large mammals were exposed on the surface and this attracted German field teams from various institutions and universities to excavate and study the fossil material

More than 40 mammal species were named following these excavations. A large, left maxilla (upper jawbone), that was described by Wagner led to the erection of the species Mastodon atticus, in the mistaken belief that this prehistoric elephant was closely related to other European elephant fossils that had been studied by the influential French anatomist Georges Cuvier, who first used the term “Mastodon” to describe fossil elephants in 1806.

Mastodon atticus?

Wagner, who was a professor at the University of Munich, published a series of comprehensive treatises on the Pikermi field work on behalf of the University and in 1857 he erected the species Mastodon atticus, in the publication Neue Beiträge zur Kenntniss der fossilen Säugthier-Überreste von Pikermi (New Contributions to the Knowledge of the Fossil Mammalian Remains of Pikermi).

A Revision of Prehistoric Elephant Taxonomy

Thought to be closely related to the taxon Amebelodon, a second species was named in 1990 based on fossils found in Florida. It was considered to be a sub-genus of Amebelodon (Konobelodon britti). Phylogenetic analysis failed to resolve the taxonomic position of Konobelodon fossil material within the Amebelodon genus and a re-assessment of the phylogeny was undertaken in 2014, resulting in the establishment of Konobelodon as a distinct genus. Notable differences in the European K. atticus and the American K. britti resulted in both being declared separate, but related species. A third species of Konobelodon (K. robustus), was named and scientifically described in 2016, based on fossils found in north-western China (Linxia Basin).

Eofauna Konobelodon atticus

A waitlist has been set up on the Everything Dinosaur website (it can be accessed by clicking the second link below), if the waitlist button is not visible, log into your Everything Dinosaur account or create an account to access the waitlist option.

You are welcome to reserve an Eofauna Konobelodon atticus figure by emailing Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that this exciting prehistoric elephant model would be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in early 2022.

To view the range of Eofauna prehistoric animal figures currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Eofauna Scientific Research Models.

New CollectA Models 2022 (Part 1)

Today, we introduce the first batch of new for 2022 CollectA prehistoric animals. The last eighteen months or so have been extremely challenging, it is great to be able to introduce to you the first of the new for 2022 prehistoric animal figures and replicas from this highly respected manufacturer.

• CollectA Deluxe Pteranodon sternbergi with an articulated jaw (1:20 scale).
• The CollectA Deluxe Spinosaurus swimming with an articulated jaw (1:40 scale).
• CollectA Deluxe Paraceratherium.

Scheduled for delivery in early 2022, Everything Dinosaur will keep model collectors informed about shipments.

CollectA Deluxe Pteranodon sternbergi in 1:20 Scale

The stunning CollectA Deluxe P. sternbergi figure is a replica of a pterosaur that was formally described in 1966, following the discovery of fragmentary fossil material in 1952. A broad crest suggests that this figure represents a male. The Pteranodon genus has been subject to much revision over recent years. Although, Pteranodon sternbergi fossils tend to be associated with older strata than Pteranodon longiceps material, their taxonomic relationship remains controversial. Some palaeontologists have proposed that P. sternbergi is sufficiently different from P. longiceps to warrant it being placed in it own genus – Geosternbergia. Whatever the phylogeny, this new for 2022 pterosaur figure with its articulated jaw is a welcome addition to the CollectA Deluxe range.

CollectA Deluxe Swimming Spinosaurus in 1:40 Scale

The first batch of new CollectA models includes a dinosaur. The CollectA Deluxe swimming Spinosaurus is an updated version of the Prehistoric Life swimming Spinosaurus figure introduced in 2015 (100 years after Spinosaurus aegyptiacus was named and described) and recently retired.

In 2015, CollectA was the first toy company to make a model of S. aegyptiacus based on the comprehensive reassessment undertaken the previous year in a scientific paper entitled “Semiaquatic adaptations in a giant predatory dinosaur” (Ibrahim et al). In 2020, some of the research team behind this earlier paper examined Spinosaurus tail bones (caudal vertebrae) and concluded that this huge theropod had a tail well-adapted for propelling it through water. The new for CollectA 2022 Spinosaurus reflects this research. The model has been given a broad and very fin-like tail.

Commenting on the introduction of this new figure, model designer Anthony Beeson stated:

“In order to keep up with the science, we have now produced an updated deluxe model that incorporates the new information showing the deep, amphibian-style, tail that powered the animal while swimming. The Spinosaurus has a new colour scheme and an articulated jaw. I have retained the 2015 shape of the sail although some have cast doubts on it.”

CollectA Deluxe Paraceratherium

The third model to be announced is an updated Paraceratherium replica, which replaces the original figure that was retired in 2019. The CollectA Deluxe Paraceratherium represents a male and it reflects recent research that suggests that it possessed a short, muscular proboscis, reminiscent to that of a modern tapir – to which it was very distantly related (member of the Perissodactyla – odd-toed ungulates).

One of the largest land mammals known to science, analysis of cranial material suggests that this herbivore might have had a short trunk or a prehensile upper lip. The design team at CollectA have opted for the former. They have also given it patches of coarse hair a characteristic seen in some extant ungulates.

Although a giant (some specimens suggest a body weight of around 20 tonnes), the CollectA figure is quite lightly built and designer Anthony Beeson speculates that it probably wallowed in mud or indulged in dust baths to help control its body temperature.

When discussing the figure’s size, Anthony stated:

“The model’s size has had to be a compromise between what is suitable for display in shops and for manufacturing.”

Model Measurements

• CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Pteranodon sternbergi with an articulated jaw – length 15 cm, height 13.5 cm.
• The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale swimming Spinosaurus – length 37 cm, height of sail 11 cm.
• CollectA Deluxe Paraceratherium – length 22 cm, height 14.7 cm.

These three figures are scheduled to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the early part of 2022. Given the current difficulties with logistics and global shipping, we are not able to give a precise date as to when these figures will be available. Team members will do all they can to update customers with regards to availability.

To view the current range of CollectA Deluxe figures and models in stock: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Models.

To view the range of CollectA Age of Dinosaurs figures available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Age of Dinosaurs/Prehistoric Life.

The last batch of 2021 CollectA Prehistoric Life models are in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The last of the new for 2021, not-to-scale CollectA figures, the Elasmosaurus, the ammonite Pravitoceras and the mini dinosaurs model set 3 are now available from the 5-star rated, UK-based mail order company.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Mollusc Models

The new CollectA heteromorphic ammonite Pravitoceras joins a growing line-up of invertebrate models in the Prehistoric Life range. Molluscs are particularly well-represented with a homomorphic (planispiral, regularly coiled shells) ammonite Pleuroceras, a belemnite, a nautilus (N. pompilius) and an Orthoceras replica already in the range.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Elasmosaurus and Other Elasmosaurids

The new CollectA Elasmosaurus is the second elasmosaurid replica to be added to the CollectA Prehistoric Life range and the third member of the Elasmosauridae family to be represented by a CollectA figure. There was a replica of Hydrotherosaurus introduced in 2008, it was joined by the Elasmosaurus in the not-to-scale Prehistoric Life range, whilst in the CollectA Deluxe series, a replica of Thalassomedon was added in 2016.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Hydrotherosaurus and Elasmosaurus are closely related, members of the subfamily the Elasmosaurinae whilst Thalassomedon is more distantly related to these two plesiosaurs, it having lived some 25 million years earlier than both Hydrotherosaurus and Elasmosaurus.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Over the last twelve years or so, the CollectA Prehistoric Life series has expanded and it now consists of over a hundred models. There are dinosaurs, ancient Palaeozoic creatures and plenty of marine reptiles too”.

To see the range of CollectA not-to-scale prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric Life.

The user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models.