All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
1 01, 2025

Happy New Year (2025) from Everything Dinosaur

By |2025-01-01T07:12:21+00:00January 1st, 2025|Main Page|0 Comments

Just time to wish everyone a “Happy New Year”!  There are going to be some exciting new developments at Everything Dinosaur in 2025. As we step into a brand new year (2025), we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our customers and social media followers. Your passion fuels our creativity and drives us to bring you the best models and collectibles.

In 2025, we are excited to continue our journey together.  We have some amazing plans, but more about them later.  We look forward to continuing our blog.  This year, we will pass the 7,000 article mark, that’s quite an achievement.

Happy New Year from Mike and Sue at Everything Dinosaur

Thank you for being part of our community. Here’s to a roaring New Year filled with adventure, discovery, and countless prehistoric moments!

Happy New Year 2025

Everything Dinosaur wishing all our customers and social media fans and followers a Happy New Year 2025. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We wish everyone a “Happy New Year”, a peaceful and prosperous one.  2025 is going to be interesting…

Stay curious and inspired!

Best wishes Mike and Sue.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

31 12, 2024

Favourite and Most Popular Blogs of 2024 (Part 2)

By |2025-01-03T09:13:09+00:00December 31st, 2024|Main Page|0 Comments

Today, we conclude our review of the Everything Dinosaur blog in 2024.  We look at our favourite and most popular articles posted up between July and December (2024). There are a lot of articles and posts to choose from. Between July 1st and today, we have written one hundred and ninety-one posts.  We have tried to cover a wide range of topics.  For example, new fossil discoveries, new dinosaurs, model updates, model collecting news, scientific discoveries and of course, information about Everything Dinosaur.

To read our first article in this short series, covering favourite blog posts in the first half of the year: Favourite and Most Popular Blog Posts of 2024 (Part 1).

The Everything Dinosaur Blog (July and August)

In July (2024) we wrote about a new deep-snouted tyrannosaur from China (Asiatyrannus xui). In addition, we examined ancient brachiopods and informed readers about changes to the Everything Dinosaur website. A Stegosaurus skeleton sold for over $44 million USD, and we introduced new PNSO models such as Tyrannotitan and Baryonyx. Moreover, we wrote about a new basal tetrapod named in honour of the late Professor Jenny Clack and a newly described Isle of Wight dinosaur that honours the late Nick Chase. There were prehistoric grapes, a mammalian brain study and Everything Dinosaur videos too.

However, our favourite post of July focused upon a paper published in the journal “Nature” that revealed that mammals in the Middle Jurassic may have lived much longer than their modern relatives.

National Museums Scotland's Dr Elsa Panciroli examines two Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis fossils.

National Museums Scotland’s Dr Elsa Panciroli examines two Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis fossils. Picture credit: Duncan Mc Glynn.

Picture credit: Duncan Mc Glynn

To read this blog post: Rare Jurassic Mammaliaform Fossils Reveal Details About Ontogeny.

The following month (August 2024), we explored dinosaurs and the autism spectrum, the evolution of cacti, the giant marsupial Diprotodon and our digital training. In addition, we visited “Snowball Earth” examined dinosaur dioramas and encountered a new titanosaur from Patagonia – Titanomachya gimenezi. Furthermore, we received a remarkable abelisaurid illustration and continued our regular reviews of “Prehistoric Times” magazine.

August was a busy time for the model manufacturer Rebor. They made several new model announcements and their remarkable “zombie rexes” came into stock.

Rebor Zombie T. rex figures (Jungle and Plain).

What an amazing pair of zombie dinosaurs! The Rebor Zombie T. rex Cannibal Corpse Jungle (left) and the Plain colour variant (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Rebor models available from Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Models and Figures.

September and October on the Blog

September was a busy month on the Everything Dinosaur blog.  We continued our support for the TetZooCon (the last ever to take place), learned about a troop of monkeys that found a fossil, ghost sharks from New Zealand and how dinosaur models can help with dissertations. We looked at Albertosaurus, introduced a new duck-billed dinosaur from Mexico (Coahuilasaurus lipani) and reflected on the phylogeny of hadrosaurs.

Everything Dinosaur’s customer service record is outstanding. We were asked to take part in a video highlighting how we use digital technology to focus on helping customers. A really good video featuring us was made… but there were also plenty of bloopers.

So, we posted up a short video highlighting our mistakes in front of the camera: Everything Dinosaur and Some Brilliant Bloopers.

With darker nights and Halloween there was plenty to keep us occupied in October. Sadly, Professor Dong Zhiming one of the most influential palaeontologists of the last sixty years passed away. His contribution to the Earth Sciences will not be forgotten. At Everything Dinosaur, we received an “Exceptional” rating for customer service from Feefo. New models came thick and fast, from Haolonggood, PNSO and there were more Beasts of the Mesozoic figures. The giant arthropod Arthropleura was given a face, and we took a close look at the science behind avoiding asteroid impacts. The Pachyrhinosaurus skull “Big Sam” was on the move, and we posted up more videos.

Exceptional customer service from Everything Dinosaur.

Five out of five for customer service.

Team members were contacted about the discovery of the smallest non-avian dinosaur eggs to be described to date (Minioolithus ganzhouensis).  We were presented with fantastic dinosaur artwork.

Our favourite post revolved around the discovery of one of the oldest dinosauromorphs known. Gondwanax paraisensis is thought to be a silesaurid: Shedding Light on Dinosaur Origins.

A life reconstruction of Gondwanax paraisensis.

A life reconstruction of Gondwanax paraisensis. Picture credit: Matheus Fernandes Gadelha.

Picture credit: Matheus Fernandes Gadelha

November and December on the Everything Dinosaur Blog

New CollectA prehistoric animal models were introduced including an amazing 1:20 scale Phorusrhacos model. The artwork of Richard Bizley was celebrated, and we welcomed the Papo Ampelosaurus dinosaur model. Sue was invited to speak at a conference and a fifty-year German fossil mystery was resolved. We looked at transformational digital technology and debunked dinosaur myths with the very talented Dr Darren Naish. A new oviraptorosaur was announced (Yuanyanglong bainian) and a study was published highlighting global cooling and the rise of the Dinosauria.

One of the new for 2025 CollectA Deluxe prehistoric animal models - the 1:20 scale Phorusrhacos.

The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Phorusrhacos model.

The picture (above) shows the new for 2025 CollectA Deluxe Phorusrhacos figure.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe figures in stock: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

Our favourite post featured a new scientific paper that concluded that the remarkable vertebrate fossils associated with the Yixian Formation of north-eastern China were not caused by volcanic eruptions.

To read more: Yixian Formation Fossils Not Caused by Pompeii-like Events.

The End of the Year

December was a busy month in our warehouse. We had a record number of Christmas parcels to send out to customers. Our blog was busy too. We introduced the spectacular Rebor “Kiss” island version as well as new Safari Ltd models. Innovative research highlighted the role humans played in prehistoric elephant extinction. We looked at new dinosaur books for the festive season, dinosaur-themed wrapping paper and thanked all our lovely customers for their cards and gifts.

The evolution of the jaw in the Squamata was outlined and we examined the new General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) and checked our compliance.

Another new dinosaur from China was discussed (Archaeocursor) and we assessed the status of the taxon Saurophaganax. Model retirements from Safari Ltd were announced and we provided information on a new paper that concluded that tyrannosaurs were present in southern England during the Early Cretaceous.

Bexhill theropod dinosaurs, some of the fauna from the Wadhurst Clay Formation - Lower Cretaceous: Valanginian faunal stage.

An Early Cretaceous floodplain around 135 million years ago. A large spinosaurid chases off some tyrannosaurs (left) from the carcass of an ornithopod. Dromaeosaurids (bottom right) dart in to snatch what they can as the larger theropods are preoccupied. Picture credit: Anthony Hutchings

Picture credit: Anthony Hutchings

To read about this new theropod research: Wadhurst Clay Formation Theropods Including Tyrannosaurs.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This concludes our run through of our blog posts for 2024.  We had fun looking back at all the articles we had published.  In total, we wrote three hundred and seventy-five posts this year.  That’s quite an effort.  The Everything Dinosaur blog will surpass seven thousand posts in 2025. Wishing everyone a happy new year!”

Happy New Year!

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

30 12, 2024

Favourite and Most Popular Blogs of 2024 (Part 1)

By |2024-12-31T22:44:11+00:00December 30th, 2024|Main Page|0 Comments

As we approach the end of the year, it is time to reflect on some of the articles featured on the Everything Dinosaur blog.  We thought it would be interesting to review some of our blog posts.  After all, we try and post every day and as a result, we have produced over three hundred and sixty articles.

Here is part one, covering January to June (2024).

January and February 2024

Everything Dinosaur won (once again) the coveted Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for outstanding customer service. We examined giant, predatory worms of the Cambrian (Timoresbestia koprii) and Kuehneosaurs were confirmed in the Late Triassic of southwestern England.

Kuehneosaurus life reconstruction.

An artist’s impression of a gliding reptile Kuehneosaurus. Picture credit: Mike Cawthorne.

Picture credit: Mike Cawthorne

Our favourite article was published on January the 11th. A new species of Tyrannosaurus (T. mcraeensis) was announced.

To read the blog post about the new Tyrannosaurus species: A New Tyrannosaurus Species.

In February, we looked into the remarkable history of fossil holes, dinosaur locomotion and we recorded the earliest ever frogspawn being found in the office pond (February 18th). In addition, we wrote about a new species of Jurassic pterosaur from Scotland (Ceoptera evansae). However, our favourite story from February 2024 concerned the discovery of a new Hell Creek theropod. Eoneophron was discovered by Oklahoma State University student Kyle Atkins-Weltman when studying dinosaur limb bones.

Eoneophron infernalis limb bones.

Limb bones of the newly described Hell Creek Formation caenagnathid Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.

Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman

March and April and the Everything Dinosaur Blog

March saw us examining the oldest forest known to science as well as ancient amphibians and new insights into Spinosaurus. 2024 marks the two hundredth anniversary of the formal, scientific description of a prehistoric animal that was later to be classified as a dinosaur. Megalosaurus was named and described in 1824. This dinosaur featured in a set of new stamps introduced by Royal Mail. There were stamps celebrating the life and works of Mary Anning in circulation too.

Our favourite article discussed a new species of iguanodontian from Western Portugal (Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum). A co-author of the paper Miguel Moreno-Azanza was photographed with a titanosaur egg fossil and one of our favourite CollectA models. A CollectA Ampelosaurus figure featuring in a news story about a new dinosaur discovery. How exciting!

Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum paper co-author Miguel Moreno-Azanza, from Zaragoza University

Miguel Moreno-Azanza, from Zaragoza University, co-author of the Hesperonyx scientific paper with a titanosaur egg fossil and an Ampelosaurus model. Picture credit: Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

Picture credit: Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.

As March saw lots of new dinosaur models from Schleich, PNSO and Haolonggood being introduced it seemed fitting to include a dinosaur model in a news story.

To view the range of CollectA Prehistoric Life models in stock: CollectA Not to Scale Prehistoric Life Models.

The International Union of Geological Sciences voted to reject the Anthropocene Epoch as a unit of geological time in April. Furthermore, we looked at old dinosaur drawings and several new dinosaur models. The highlight for us was the publishing of the scientific paper describing Ichthyotitan severnensis. This Late Triassic ichthyosaur could have been as big as a blue whale.

Everything Dinosaur’s Ichthyotitan article: Ichthyotitan – A Colossus of the Late Triassic.

May and June (2024)

In May, we once again featured a wide range of news stories. For example, we reported upon the evolutionary history of the Baobab tree, Glaswegian shrimp fossils and examined how artificial intelligence could up write pages on the Everything Dinosaur website. In addition, we wrote an article that challenged the findings from a paper that proposed that T. rex could have been as clever as a primate.

Scientific paper challenged: Famous Dinosaur Not as Clever as a Monkey.

Eofauna T. rex model.

The Eofauna T. rex dinosaur model introduced in May 2024.  In addition, a scientific paper published that month refuted claims that T. rex was as clever as a primate. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

June was a busy month for blog posts. We looked at new models from Haolonggood, Nanmu Studio and Beasts of the Mesozoic. In addition, a new Unenlagiine taxon was described from Patagonia (Diuqin lechiguanae). Carboniferous arachnids were examined, and we celebrated 170 years of the Crystal Palace dinosaurs.

Our favourite blog post for June 2024 featured a new taxon of horned dinosaur.  The spectacular Lokiceratops was scientifically described.

Lokiceratops rangiformis life reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin.

Reconstruction of Lokiceratops surprised by a crocodilian in the 78-million-year-old swamps of northern Montana, USA. Picture credit: Andrey Atuchin for the Museum of Evolution in Maribo, Denmark.

Picture credit: Andrey Atuchin

The Everything Dinosaur Blog Review for 2024 (Part 1)

This concludes our review of the blog for the first part of 2024 (January to June).  The second part of this series will conclude by looking at the articles we posted between July and the end of the year.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.

18 10, 2024

“Exceptional” Customer Service is Celebrated

By |2024-10-20T19:59:11+01:00October 18th, 2024|Main Page|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we pride ourselves on offering not just a fantastic selection of dinosaur toys but also exceptional customer service. Sue wanted to highlight that Everything Dinosaur’s customer service was described by Feefo, an independent customer service rating company, as “exceptional”.  The UK-based mail order company had consistently earned top marks from customers.  It is time to celebrate our commitment to quality service.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur pointing out that the Cheshire based business is rated as "Exceptional" for customer service by the independent rating company Feefo.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur pointing out that the Cheshire business is rated as “Exceptional” for customer service by the independent rating company Feefo. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

“Exceptional” Customer Service at Everything Dinosaur

Feefo have introduced new marketing assets recognising the service provided by their clients.  Everything Dinosaur receives hundreds of five-star customer reviews.  As a result, Feefo have officially described our customer service as “exceptional”.  We are amongst the highest ranked companies in the world for customer service.

To read more about the new Feefo marketing assets and to see further examples of the images that Everything Dinosaur is entitled to use: New Feefo Marketing Assets for Everything Dinosaur.

Receiving recognition from Feefo reinforces our dedication to ensuring that every customer has a positive experience. We believe that buying dinosaur toys should be enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re looking for a gift or expanding your collection, we ensure that each order is handled with care and promptness.

Celebrating with Dinosaur Toys

After a short interlude to highlight the company’s success, it’s back to packing prehistoric animal models and dinosaur toys. Dinosaur toys are more than just playthings; they inspire creativity and learning. Our extensive range consists of hundreds of different prehistoric animal models. Furthermore, we have a worldwide customer base, many of whom send into us feedback and reviews.  Customers consistently praise our knowledgeable staff, who are always ready to assist with model advice, product recommendations and queries.

Receiving recognition from Feefo reinforces our dedication to ensuring that every customer has a positive experience. We believe that buying dinosaur toys should be enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re looking for a gift or expanding your collection, we ensure that each order is handled with care and promptness.

Join the many satisfied customers who have experienced our top-notch service and explore our exciting range of dinosaur toys today. At Everything Dinosaur, we’re not just selling toys; we’re creating memorable experiences for collectors everywhere!

Visit the “exceptional” Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.

10 10, 2024

Important News in the Science of Avoiding Asteroid Impacts

By |2024-10-09T14:26:00+01:00October 10th, 2024|Main Page|0 Comments

This week, despite the approach of hurricane Milton towards Florida, the spacecraft HERA launched from Cape Canaveral. It is heading towards the asteroids Didymos and Dimorphos.  The aim is to measure the consequences of an impact on Dimorphos by NASA’s DART spacecraft.  DART stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test.  This was the first-ever mission dedicated to investigating and demonstrating one method of asteroid deflection by changing an asteroid’s motion in space through a kinetic impact.  Asteroid impacts with Earth are rare but they can have devastating consequences.  For example, around sixty-six million years ago an object from space struck the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This led to the K-Pg extinction event (or at least it played a significant role in the mass extinction event).  Non-avian dinosaurs became extinct.

HERA is on its way to the two asteroids to determine precisely how the orbital period and shape of the asteroids have changed after the impact with DART.

Asteroid impact management via deflection.

HERA sent to investigate the impact consequences of DART on the small asteroid Dimorphos that orbits the larger asteroid Didymos.  These two missions are part of an on-going project to develop the ability to avoid planetary asteroid impacts.  Picture credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

Picture credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

To read an earlier blog post about the search for the bolide that lead to a mass extinction event: Where Did the Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Come From?

Asteroid Impact Management by Deflection

The DART spacecraft collided with Dimorphos on the 26th of September 2022.  It was travelling at over 3.7 miles per second (6 kilometres per second). The nearly head-on collision has shortened the time it takes the small asteroid moonlet to orbit the much larger Didymos by thirty-three minutes.  The goal of the DART project was to influence the orbital period of both asteroids around each other.  HERA has now been sent on a two-year journey to the double asteroid to study how exactly the orbital period and shape of the asteroids have changed over a six-month period.

Researchers from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin were involved in both the DART and HERA projects.  The HERA mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) is now tasked with answering questions such as did an impact crater form on Dimorphos?  Was the entire asteroid altered?  What does the impact tell us about the constituents of these two bolides?

HERA will aim to create a detailed map of the surface and internal structure of the moonlet Dimorphos using high-resolution visual, laser-based, and radar data.

Ultimately, the objective is to develop the ability to deflect the trajectory of space objects.  If this can be done, then collisions with Earth can be avoided.

If only the Dinosauria had developed such a technology to avoid asteroid impacts…

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

25 06, 2024

A Remarkable New Creature from the Famous Burgess Shale

By |2024-06-29T06:02:57+01:00June 25th, 2024|Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A newly published scientific paper has described a new taxon from the famous Burgess Shale deposits of British Columbia.  The new taxon has been named Entothyreos synnaustrus.  Its discovery will help palaeontologists to better understand how arthropod-like features evolved in the ancestors of the Arthropoda.  Entothyreos helps to broaden our understanding about how major anatomical innovations within invertebrates came about.

Entothyreos synnaustrus fossil specimens.

Entothyreos synnaustrus fossil specimens. ROMIP 59505. A, full slab, with Entothyreos paratype specimens numbered 1–9. Insets as indicated. B, ROMIP 59505.2, anterior section with front limbs. C, ROMIP 59505. 3. dissociated anterior section. D, ROMIP 59505.5, dissociated spines and dorsolateral sheets. E, ROMIP 59505.6, anterior section F, ROMIP 59505.7, isolated spine and claw. G, H, ROMIP 59505.8, isolated spines and claws. G, full specimen. H, close-up of claws of posterior lobopod. I, ROMIP 59505.9. fragment of posterior section showing dissociated dorsolateral sclerotic trunk sheets and spines. Scale bars: A, 50 mm; B, D, E, G, I, 5 mm; C, F, 2.5 mm and H, 1 mm. Picture credit: Aria and Caron.

Entothyreos synnaustrus from the Tulip Beds

The fossil material comes from the Tulip Beds locality at the base of the Campsite Cliff Shale Member. This location was discovered in 1983 by a Royal Ontario Museum field team.  The site has yielded over ten thousand fossils, a rich array of soft-bodied organisms including the filter feeding Siphusauctum gregarium. The tulip-shaped body of S. gregarium inspired the location’s name.

To read an Everything Dinosaur blog post about Siphusauctum gregarium: Picking Tulips from the Burgess Shale.

The Burgess Shale biota was preserved by rapid mudflow deposits. The first specimens of the new species were collected in 1989.  Most of the fossil material having been collected in subsequent field expeditions in 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2016. A total of fifty-one specimens of E. synnaustrus have been identified to date.

Entothyreos synnaustrus taphonomy.

Entothyreos synnaustrus taphonomy. A, Paratype ROMIP 53233. Full specimen (posterior region missing). Spine arrangement quasi in place but underlying plates not visible. B, paratype ROMIP 53241. Possible moult with spine arrangement little disturbed, missing endocuticular plates. C, paratype ROMIP 53244. Weathered specimen preserving annulated posterior lobopods (arrow). D–H, paratype ROMIP 53239. D, full specimen (composite image of the part and counterpart, specimen immersed in water). Insets as indicated. E, close-up of a pair of anterior lobopods. Inset is F. F, close-up of proximal-most portion of lobopods with dense array of setae or small spines. G, EDS imaging of carbon (red) showing minute elements along spines otherwise rich in aluminium (light blue). H, BSE imaging of anterior spines showing minute external ornamentation. Scale bars: A, B, 10 mm; C, D, 5 mm; E, H 2 mm; F and G 1 mm. Picture credit: Aria and Caron.

The Evolution of the Arthropoda

The evolution of an exoskeleton consisting of hardened body parts (sclerites) connected by flexible joints is a defining characteristic of the Arthropoda.  The development of this body structure, referred to as arthrodization is considered one of the most significant evolutionary advancements in the animal kingdom.  The arthrodization of their limbs, known as arthropodization, likely emerged before the arthrodization of their bodies. Both of these key features first appeared during the rapid diversification of life known as the Cambrian explosion.  Entothyreos synnaustrus has been classified as a lobopodian.  Lobopodians are animals such as the extinct, bizarre Hallucigenia from the Cambrian as well as extant tardigrades and the velvet worms (Onychophora).  These animals are close relatives of arthropods but do not possess the sclerites of true arthropods.

Entothyreos synnaustrus, demonstrates a distinct system of overlapping and hardened body plates along its trunk. It also had hardened rings surrounding the bases of its limbs. While the limb rings likely provided protection, the trunk plates may have helped this animal stand upright and feed.  It is thought to have been a filter feeder, filtering particles of food from the water column.

Entothyreos synnaustrus line drawings (dorsal and lateral views).

Technical drawings from Entothyreos synnaustrus in lateral view (A) and dorsal view (B). Picture credit: Danielle Dufault/Royal Ontario Museum.

Entothyreos synnaustrus Developing Specialised Parts of the Body

Other related lobopodian fossils also show evidence of having separate ring-like structures that connected the bases of their spiny appendages, with these structures covered by the outer layer of the lobopodian’s soft body.  Importantly, this newly described taxon has tubby clawed legs, appendages adapted for filter feeding and spines. This newly described taxon has different parts of its five-centimetre-long body performing different functions.  This specialisation is a trait found in arthropods and indeed in more derived invertebrates.

Entothyreos synnaustrus line tracings

Entothyreos synnaustrus line tracings. A, paratype ROMIP 64650, full specimen and B, holotype ROMIP 53234, central trunk section. Paratype ROMIP 66325 (C) central trunk section. Colours: dark yellow, surface cuticular layer; light orange, sclerotic sheet; purple, intercalary element. Line legend as indicated in A. Picture credit: Aria and Caron.

The Late Neoproterozoic and the Early Palaeozoic saw dramatic changes in life on our planet. Organisms went from amorphous unstructured creatures to ones with a definitive shape and specialised body areas. During the Cambrian organisms became more derived than the Ediacaran biota and we begin to see the evolutionary changes and radiation of the major animal groups we see today.

The discovery of Entothyreos synnaustrus suggests that the evolution of arthropod-like features, such as segmented and hardened body parts, may have emerged in parallel among the ancestors of arthropods. This broadens our understanding of how major anatomical innovations can arise in the history of life.

Entothyreos synnaustrus life reconstruction

A life reconstruction of the newly described Entothyreos synnaustrus, part of the Burgess Shale Cambrian biota. Picture credit: Danielle Dufault/Royal Ontario Museum.

The Challenge of Interpreting Cambrian Fossils

One of the huge challenges faced by palaeontologists studying Cambrian fossils is trying to work out where in the Animalia the organisms should be placed.  Numerous Cambrian organisms have been identified, some of which demonstrate some, but not all the features seen in the Arthropoda.  For example, the “Walking Cactus” – Diania cactiformis is one such animal.  D. cactiformis is known from the Lower Cambrian Maotianshan shale of China.  It is around twelve million years older than Entothyreos synnaustrus.  It has jointed legs, which is a trait associated with the Arthropoda.  However, it has no discernible head, eyes or gills.

To read an article about the amazing Diania cactiformisA Transitional Fossil Between Worms and Arthropods.

Palaeontologists remain uncertain as to how and in which order the characteristics associated with the arthropods evolved.  The scientific description of E. synnaustrus helps to inform the debate.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of Associate Professor Jean-Bernard Caron at the University of Toronto in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Deep origin of articulation strategies in panarthropods: evidence from a new luolishaniid lobopodian (Panarthropoda) from the Tulip Beds, Burgess Shale” by Cédric Aria and Jean-Bernard Caron published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

14 06, 2024

Douglassarachne acanthopoda a New Species of Carboniferous Arachnid

By |2024-06-16T11:39:47+01:00June 14th, 2024|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A new species of prehistoric arachnid has been named and described from the famous Mazon Creek fossil site in Illinois, USA.  The new species has been named Douglassarachne acanthopoda.  The fossils are believed to be around 308 million years old.  D. acanthopoda is characterised by its remarkably robust and spiny legs.  Its appearance is strikingly different from all other living or extinct arachnids.  The preserved character combination examined by the researchers does not permit easy referral to any known arachnid, living or extinct.  Thus, the new fossil in placed as Arachnida, in the clade Tetrapulmonata.  The Tetrapulmonata consists of the whip scorpions and the true spiders.

Douglassarachne acanthopoda fossil.

Douglassarachne acanthopoda fossil. A bizarre, Late Carboniferous arachnid. Picture credit: Professor Paul Selden.

Picture credit: Professor Paul Selden

A Bizarre Arachnid with Spiny Legs – Douglassarachne acanthopoda

This new Carboniferous invertebrate has been described in a scientific paper published in the “Journal of Paleontology”.  Researchers Jason Dunlop from the Museum of Natural History, Berlin and Paul Selden (University of Kansas/London Natural History Museum), wrote the paper.

During the Carboniferous, many different types of arachnids evolved.  These included forms that we are familiar with today, such as the true spiders, harvestmen and scorpions. There were also many exotic animals that today are confined mainly to the tropics. Animals like the whip spiders and whip scorpions.  The fossil record suggests that in the coal forests, true spiders were quite rare.  Among these were primitive forms and other lineages that have no living descendants.

To read a recent article about the discovery of the oldest harvestmen from Germany: The Oldest Harvestmen from Germany are Scientifically Described

Preserved Inside a Clay-Ironstone Nodule

The Mazon Creek site is famous for its remarkable fossils.  It preserves the flora and fauna of a Late Carboniferous tropical forest.  The ecosystem was very different to modern ecosystems.  The Douglassarachne acanthopoda specimen (number FMNH PE 91366), was discovered in the 1980s by Bob Masek in a clay-ironstone concretion. Bob deployed a common method for splitting the concretion.  He placed the nodule outside immersed water throughout the winter.  The cold and frost penetrated natural fissures in the concretion along the plane containing the fossil.  After the weather had done its work, a blow from a geology hammer was enough to split the nodule and reveal the fossil.

The specimen was acquired by David Douglass and was displayed at the Douglass family’s Prehistoric Life Museum.  The fossil was donated to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago in 2023 so it could be studied.

The body of the D. acanthopoda measures 15.4 mm in length.  The extremely spiny legs probably evolved to deter predators. Whilst it might superficially resemble an extant harvestman or mite, it differs significantly from any extant harvestman or any other known arachnid group.  Unfortunately, the mouthparts (chelicerae) are not preserved.  This makes classification difficult.  Douglassarachne has bene tentatively assigned to the Tetrapulmonata clade.  This clade includes the true spiders, whip spiders and whip scorpions.

Diverse Arachnids

Whilst is it not possible to determine the exact evolutionary relationship of Douglassarachne acanthopoda, it is noted that during the Carboniferous a diverse variety of arachnids evolved.  Some of these families later died out.  Many forms became extinct during the so-called “Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse” when global climate change led to the decline of the coal forests.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A remarkable spiny arachnid from the Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Illinois” by Selden, P. A. and Dunlop, J.A. published in the Journal of Paleontology.

The website of Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

12 06, 2024

New “Prehistoric Times” Magazine Reviewed (Issue 149)

By |2024-06-13T18:54:20+01:00June 12th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Prehistoric Times|1 Comment

The latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” is brimming over with lots of amazing articles, illustrations and features.  This well-respected magazine has a global readership, and it is published quarterly.  The two featured prehistoric animals are the Brazilian pterosaur Tapejara and the North American ceratopsian Styracosaurus.  Thanks to Phil Hore, for once again producing a couple of informative and most interesting articles.  Styracosaurus provides the inspiration for the front cover artwork which was created by Kurt Miller. Palaeontologist Jordan Mallon explores the Styracosaurus specimens in the vertebrate collection of the Canadian Museum of Nature.  The genus may have been erected over a hundred years ago, but despite recent centrosaurine discoveries, “spike lizard” continues to amaze and inspire.

The front cover artwork for "Prehistoric Times" issue 149.

The front cover artwork for “Prehistoric Times” issue 149 (Spring 2024).

 

Poignantly, editor Mike Fredericks includes an image of a Styracosaurus statue made by the artist and sculptor Mike Trcic.  We were saddened to hear of his passing and our condolences to his family.

Styracosaurus Artwork in “Prehistoric Times”

There are lots of Styracosaurus illustrations accompanying Phil Hore’s excellent article. Once again, we have been impressed by the reader contributions.  Personal favourites include the pair of Styracosaurus fighting by Victoria Grabowski, the black and white drawing of the impressive head crest and nose horn created by Brad McFeeters and the illustration by the magazine’s editor Mike Fredericks.  Honourable mentions too for Mike Landry for his CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale inspired Styracosaurus artwork and for Wade Carmen, whose main drawing reminded us of the Papo Styracosaurus figure.

Tracy Lee Ford helps us put skin on the bones of sauropods.  In a fascinating article the dermal armour of titanosaurs is explored.  In addition, we learn more about dermal spines on diplodocids.  On the subject of sauropods and titanosaurs in particular, we note that Randy Knol includes the new CollectA Dreadnoughtus figure in his review of recently introduced figures.

South American Native Ungulates (SANUs)

J. R. Lavas continues his exploration of the artwork produced by the highly influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian.  In this issue the focus is on South American native ungulates (SANUs).  As with the sparassodonts which featured in issue 148, SANUs were not popular subjects with many early 20th century palaeoartists. For example, Burian only produced a few sketches and no formal paintings.  The author has used some of his own superb illustrations for the article.

Macrauchenia patachonica illustrated.

Macrauchenia patachonica illustrated. Picture credit: J. Lavas.

Picture credit: J. Lavas

Burian’s artwork does feature in an article by Rosta Walica covering the three volumes of the “Prehistoric World of Zdeněk Burian”.  The article outlines the extensive work involved in compiling this comprehensive trilogy.  There are plenty of Burian’s paintings to admire, the authors including several prehistoric mammal illustrations as well as some of Burian’s classic dinosaur artwork.

Pioneering Palaeontologists and Palaeoartists

This year marks the 170th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first dinosaur theme park at Crystal Palace, London. A conservation programme to protect these grade I listed statues is continuing. Slowly but surely these iconic statues are being restored to their former glory.  In a piece penned by Victor Monnin, the observations of H. G. Wells on time travel are discussed.  Wells wrote the highly influential book “The Time Machine”.  It was published in 1895.  The article is illustrated with images of H. G. Wells and two prints highlighting the Crystal Palace geological park.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the restoration of the prehistoric animal statues at Crystal Palace: A Palaeotherium is Welcomed Back.

The magazine features an interview with British palaeontologist Mike Benton and the palaeoartist Bob Nicholls.  They have collaborated on a new book that examines dinosaur behaviour.  The Mesozoic media section contains several book reviews including another volume by Professor Michael Benton entitled “Extinctions – How Life Survives, Adapts and Evolves”.

Other highlights of issue 149 include an interview with veteran preparator Howell Thomas of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the concluding part of Sean Kotz’s build a Stegosaurus kit.

Congratulations to Chuck Egnaczak, Anders Bang, Matt Finstrom, Chris Alfalo and all the other artwork contributors for Phil Hore’s Tapejara piece and take a look at the comprehensive “Paleonews” section.

For further details about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

10 06, 2024

Crystal Palace Dinosaurs Celebrate 170 Years!

By |2024-06-09T15:50:30+01:00June 10th, 2024|Dinosaur Fans, Geology, Main Page|0 Comments

The Crystal Palace dinosaurs exhibit was formally opened on this day in 1854.  The famous geological park located in south London, represents the world’s first prehistoric animal theme park. Today, we celebrate this remarkable Victorian era attraction.  Although frequently referred to as “Dinosaurs”, only four of the statues represent members of the Dinosauria.  Other statues represent, pterosaurs, marine reptiles, turtles as well as prehistoric mammals.

Iguanodons at Crystal Palace.

A pair of Iguanodons study the Crystal Palace landscape. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows the pair of Iguanodons on display at Crystal Palace.  Over the last two decades or so, these beautiful and scientifically important figures have been the subject of extensive conservation efforts.  In 2007, the statues were assigned Grade I listed monument status.  This is the most important rating for a monument under Historic England’s National Heritage List.  This status is reserved for sites of international significance.

To read about the Grade I listed monument protection: World’s First Dinosaur Statues Get Grade I Listed Status.

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

There are around thirty palaeontological statues, along with five displays explaining geology. Most of the statues remain in their original positions. The statues were created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins with the technical assistance of the famous anatomist Richard Owen. Joseph Paxton designed the landscape.  Fund raising efforts from the “Friends of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs” continue today.

Everything Dinosaur expects that a major grant from the National Lottery will be allocated to the site, to permit the restoration work to continue.  This grant is expected to be announced later this year.

Crystal Palace dinosaurs and prehistoric animals.

Prehistoric animal figures at Crystal Palace, the world’s first “Jurassic Park”.  The park is commemorating the 170th anniversary of its opening.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Prehistoric Animal Models

Construction work continued at the park until 1855.  To help raise funds for the work, some prehistoric animal models were commissioned. These items were priced at £30 and were designed to be “educational”.  However, we now know that the dinosaur reconstructions were highly inaccurate.  Notwithstanding this, today we celebrate the 170th anniversary of the official opening of the world’s first prehistoric animal theme park.

Happy birthday Crystal Palace dinosaurs.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Dinosaur Toys.

9 06, 2024

Limited-edition New Haolonggood Daspletosaurus Figure on Display

By |2024-06-09T13:21:20+01:00June 9th, 2024|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models, Main Page|0 Comments

Our thanks to dinosaur model collector Carl who sent into Everything Dinosaur a photograph of his recently acquired Haolonggood Daspletosaurus figure.  This limited-edition tyrannosaur replica looks at home amongst the CollectA prehistoric plants.  In addition, Carl has depicted his Daspletosaurus attacking a Rebor Triceratops.  The Daspletosaurus (D. torosus) is part of a special production run.  Less than two hundred of these remarkable figures have been made.

Haolonggood Daspletosaurus.

Thanks to Carl for sending into Everything Dinosaur a photograph of his recently acquired limited-edition Haolonggood Daspletosaurus torosus model. This 1/20th scale model is photographed alongside CollectA prehistoric plants, and it is attacking a pair of Rebor Triceratops figures. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

A Fabulous Haolonggood Daspletosaurus Picture

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked Carl for sending in such a fabulous Daspletosaurus inspired image.  The Daspletosaurus torosus figure has stunning detail and it is an exquisite example of dinosaur model manufacturing at its very best.  The figure is in 1:20 scale and it is beautifully balanced.  This exclusive model is also supplied with its own hand-painted display base.

A limited-edition Pachyrhinosaurus model in 1:20 scale has also been introduced by Haolonggood.

To view the range of Haolonggood dinosaur and prehistoric models available: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

Limited-edition Haolonggood models.

Two limited-edition Haolonggood models. An amazing sculpture of the tyrannosaur Daspletosaurus torosus and a brilliant ceratopsian complete with display base (Pachyrhinosaurus).

The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson added:

“The Daspletosaurus genus has been extensively studied. It is perhaps one of the best known of all the Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs.  Our blog has featured lots of Daspletosaurus news stories and fossil discoveries.  For example, in late 2022, we wrote an article about a new species of Daspletosaurus being erected.  It is great to see Haolonggood introducing a limited-edition replica of this iconic theropod.  It is also great to see these models featuring so prominently in figure collections.”

To read about the new species of Daspletosaurus: A New Daspletosaurus Species is Named.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

Go to Top