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30 09, 2023

Safari Ltd Model Retirements (2023)

By | September 30th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has provided details of the Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The list includes dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals. Ten prehistoric animal figures that Everything Dinosaur stocks are being withdrawn. Items previously retired such as the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus and the Vagaceratops are now running low, as inventory in the distribution chain is used up.

Safari Ltd model retirements.
Confirmation of Safari Ltd model retirements for 2023. The year when the figure was introduced is also recorded. Several figures that were introduced in 2020 are being withdrawn and they are now out of production.

The image (above) shows the models that are being retired. The Vagaceratops and the Wild Safari Edmontosaurus are also officially withdrawn, Everything Dinosaur still has these models available. However, we will not be able to replenish stock. Once current stock has sold out, that will be that.

The baby Pteranodon figure (S301329) and the tube of baby dinosaur models (S90075) are also being retired by Safari Ltd.

To view the range of Safari Ltd prehistoric animal figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Safari Ltd Prehistoric Animal Models.

Safari Ltd Model Retirements

The list of retired figures and when the model was first introduced is provided below:

Uintatherium (introduced in 2018).
Qianzhousaurus (introduced in 2020).
Concavenator (introduced in 2020).
Shringasaurus (introduced in 2020).
Edmontosaurus (introduced in 2020).
Diabloceratops (introduced in 2013.
Deinocheirus (introduced in 2017).
Psittacosaurus (introduced in 2017).
Shunosaurus (introduced in 2016).
Citipati (introduced in 2019).
Vagaceratops (previously retired)
Edmontosaurus (previously retired).

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed, that at present there were no plans for Safari Ltd to retire any other prehistoric animal figures for 2023/4.

The spokesperson added:

“We are sorry to see these models being withdrawn. However, we will retain our current pricing policy and not seek to exploit commercially any model becoming rarer. We do like to alert collectors to model retirements, by doing this, collectors have a chance to acquire the model without having to pay excessive prices.”

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

27 09, 2023

Limited-edition Haolonggood Models

By | September 27th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

A pair of limited-edition Haolonggood models are being offered for sale. These fantastic dinosaur figures are limited to a production run of just 150 models. The replicas are made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Each figure is supplied with its own beautiful display base. The dinosaurs featured are Daspletosaurus torosus and Pachyrhinosaurus. The models are in 1:20 scale.

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).

Limited-edition Haolonggood Models

The two dinosaurs are due to be made in the autumn and should be ready for delivery to customers in time for Christmas (estimate).

Here are the details:

(A). 1:20 Scale Daspletosaurus torosus

A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale figure of Daspletosaurus torosus complete with a display base. Model measures 46 cm long, 14 cm wide and stands 19 cm high. Weight 3 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £299.00 plus shipping (September 2023).

Limited-edition Haolonggood models - the spectacular 1:20 scale Daspletosaurus figure.
The spectacular 1:20 scale Daspletosaurus torosus dinosaur sculpture.

(B) 1:20 Scale Pachyrhinosaurus spp.

A limited-edition (only 150 made) 1:20 scale replica of Pachyrhinosaurus complete with display base. Model measures 31 cm long, 12 cm wide and stands 18 cm high. Weight 3-4 kgs. Designed by the chief designer at Haolonggood, hand-painted by Black Mamba artists and made from high grade polyurethane and advanced resin. Age restriction 15+. Scheduled for delivery December 2023. Guide price £249.00 plus shipping (September 2023).

Limited-edition Haolonggood models - the Pachyrhinosaurus model.
The 1:20 scale Pachyrhinosaurus limited-edition model in lateral view.

To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“As a way of celebrating the partnership between Haolonggood and Everything Dinosaur these two limited-edition figures are being produced. They are simply fabulous and only 150 painted figures of each dinosaur are available in the entire world. We have received numerous enquiries about them already. Haolonggood are building a formidable reputation in the model making market.”

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

To enquire about these two spectacular, limited-edition figures (whilst stocks last) contact Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

24 09, 2023

Birds that Evolve Greater Complexity are Less Biodiverse

By | September 24th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Animal News Stories, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Newly published research studying bird evolution suggests a link between complex skeletons and reduced biodiversity. As birds develop more complex anatomies, they also decrease in diversity, with fewer species as they become more specialised within specific ecological niches.

bird evolution is studied
A newly published study suggests a strong link between birds evolving complex skeletons such as this specialised scavenger (vulture) and decreasing biodiversity. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Studying Patterns in Bird Evolution

Researchers at the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath collaborated with colleagues at the University of Lincoln, University College London and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their findings have been published in the journal “Nature Communications”.

The team looked at 983 species across all major groups of living birds and measured the complexity of their skeletons by comparing the bones in their fore limbs (wings) and hind limbs (legs).

They found that less complex birds – those with a smaller differences between their fore and hind limbs – had more species diversity than those with higher complexity and a larger difference between their limbs.

As an example, birds such as pigeons, gulls and songbirds (passerines) have low skeletal complexity but a high diversity of species living in varied habitats across the world.

At the other end of the spectrum, flamingos, and ostriches have short wings in comparison to their legs, and so have more complex limb skeletons. Groups with more complex skeletons may occupy smaller niches and are less able to subdivide those niche spaces in order to produce new species.

Trapped in an Ecological Niche

Whilst evolution can produce forms with lower complexity, these findings suggest that birds with more complex skeletons have become more specialised over time and so more developmentally entrenched. This may make them less likely to evolve back to become simpler again. In essence, Aves with complex skeletons may find themselves trapped within a specific ecological niche.

A drawing of Kelenken. Phorusrhacids illustrated. The "Terror Birds".
Could these findings be reflected in extinct bird groups such as the Phorusrhacidae? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Causes of Biodiversity

Professor Matthew Wills, (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) explained:

“We wanted to understand what causes some groups of birds to be species rich and others to be species poor – although ecology obviously plays an important part, it doesn’t account for the huge differences we see in biodiversity.”

Professor Wills added:

“The received wisdom is that there is no direction to evolution – that selection can act in any direction. Our study suggests that, in birds at least, the more they specialise, the less they are able to give rise to new species.”

A Case of Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket

The scientists also found that birds with more complex skeletons were generally more ecologically specialised, occupying fewer habitats and foraging for food in less varied ways.

Lead author of the paper, PhD student Andrew Brinkworth (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) stated:

“Species can evolve to be specialised, and fill very small niches. However, in doing so, they restrict the number of routes they can evolve further, meaning they are likely to be less resilient to changes in the environment such as those caused by habitat loss, disruption to food chains and climate change.”

Andrew added:

“From our findings we predict that birds with more complex skeletons and less diversity will be at greater risk of extinction from these changes.”

Wider Implications for Bird Evolution and Animal Life

The researchers intend to broaden their research to see if this pattern is repeated in other animal groups. It would be interesting to see if this relationship between complex skeletons and reduced biodiversity can be identified in extinct groups, including theropod dinosaurs.

Could such a pattern be identified in the Theropoda to bird evolution lineage?

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Bird clades with less complex appendicular skeletons tend to have higher species richness” by Andrew Brinkworth, Emily Green, Yimeng Li, Jack Oyston, Marcello Ruta, Matthew A. Wills published in Nature Communications.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

23 09, 2023

PNSO Theropods Feature in Customer Newsletter

By | September 23rd, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Newsletters, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The recently introduced PNSO theropods Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Megalosaurus feature in our latest newsletter. All three dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur after the latest PNSO shipment arrived at the warehouse. The Albertosaurus dinosaur model is the first new PNSO figure to be featured. Wally the Albertosaurus makes the headlines.

PNSO theropods in newsletter.
The new for autumn 2023 PNSO Albertosaurus (Wally the Albertosaurus) is featured in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Theropods

PNSO have recently focused on the manufacture of theropod dinosaur models. Tyrannosaurs have proved to be particularly popular. Joining the already in stock Daspletosaurus are Tristan the Gorgosaurus and Wally the Albertosaurus. In addition, the Chinese model manufacturer has introduced a replica of the first dinosaur to be scientifically described Megalosaurus bucklandii.

PNSO theropods in newsletter. Tristan the Gorgosaurus and Edward the Megalosaurus.
PNSO theropods in newsletter. The latest customer newsletter includes Tristan the Gorgosaurus and the PNSO Megalosaurus model (Edward the Megalosaurus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Both Tristan (Gorgosaurus) and Edward the Megalosaurus are supplied with a 64-page, full-colour booklet. Each model has a transparent support stand and both PNSO theropods have articulated jaws.

To view the extensive range of PNSO models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.

Tyrannosaurus rex and Amargasaurus

The latest PNSO shipment contained a lot of dinosaur figures that had recently become out of stock. Team members were able to contact customers who requested to be kept informed about stocking levels. Stocks of the popular Cameron the T. rex and the Scientific Art Amargasaurus were replenished.

PNSO Cameron the T. rex and the Lucio the Amargasaurus (new colour scheme) feature in the Everything Dinosaur newsletter.
More lizard-hipped dinosaurs! The PNSO Cameron the T. rex figure and the new colour variant of Lucio the Amargasaurus also feature in the newsletter as these two popular figures have just come back into stock. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To subscribe to the free Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter email us: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We welcome the new PNSO theropods. Furthermore, we wanted to make sure all our customers knew about these models as quickly as possible. There had been a lot of emails from collectors concerning these new figures.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

22 09, 2023

Fossil Feather Proteins Can Persist over Deep Time

By | September 22nd, 2023|Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Researchers including scientists from University College Cork (Ireland) have demonstrated that fossil feather proteins can persist over deep time. Using sophisticated and highly sensitive X-ray techniques the team have clarified the chemical composition of feathers preserved in the fossil record.

Encountering a life-size Velociraptor replica.
Encountering a life-size Velociraptor replica at the Manchester Museum. The replica is part of a display that documents the evolution of feathers and the ancestry of modern birds. New research suggests that the protein composition of modern feathers was also present in ancient feathers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Identifying Fossil Feather Proteins

The study, published in “Nature Ecology and Evolution” provides a new perspective on feather evolution. Earlier research had suggested that primitive feathers had a different chemical composition to that of the feathers of extant birds. The new research reveals that the protein composition of modern-day feathers was also present in the feathers of dinosaurs and enantiornithine birds. The researchers conclude that the chemistry of feathers originated much earlier than previously thought.

The study was led by Dr Tiffany Slater and Professor Maria McNamara (School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Science, University College Cork). They worked in collaboration with scientists at Linyi University (China) and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in the USA.

The feathers of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus were analysed. In addition, the integumentary covering of the enantiornithine Confuciusornis was studied.

Sinornithosaurus
A life reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous dromaeosaurid Sinornithosaurus. Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.

Commenting upon the implications of their study, Dr Slater said:

“It’s really exciting to discover new similarities between dinosaurs and birds. To do this, we developed a new method to detect traces of ancient feather proteins. Using X-rays and infrared light we found that feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus contained lots of beta-proteins, just like feathers of birds today.”

Fossilised Proteins

Fossil proteins are valuable tools in evolutionary biology. Recent technological advances and better integration of experimental methods have confirmed the feasibility of biomolecular preservation in deep time, yielding new insights into the timing of key vertebrate evolutionary transitions.

Keratins (formerly α-keratins) and corneous β-proteins (CBPs, formerly β-keratins) are of particular interest to palaeontologists. These proteins define tissue structures that underpin fundamental physiological and ecological strategies and can provide evidence to help map how feathers evolved.

As well as using infrared and sulphur X-ray spectroscopy to plot chemical signals, the team also conducted taphonomic experiments to help them to understand how feather proteins break down during fossilisation.

Dr Slater explained:

“Modern bird feathers are rich in beta-proteins that help strengthen feathers for flight. Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, found mostly alpha-proteins. Our experiments can now explain this weird chemistry as the result of protein degradation during the fossilisation process. So, although some fossil feathers do preserve traces of the original beta-proteins, other fossil feathers are damaged and tell us a false narrative about feather evolution.”

PNSO Confuciusornis model. Cretaceous birds.
“A bird in the hand”, the Confuciusornis model from PNSO. The chemical composition of Confuciusornis feather fossils was analysed. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image above shows a Confuciusornis model from the PNSO range.

To view this collection: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.

Surviving the Fossilisation Process

This study confirms that fossil feather proteins can survive fossilisation, that these proteins can persist through deep time.

Senior author of the study, Professor Maria McNamara (University College Cork) commented:

“Traces of ancient biomolecules can clearly survive for millions of years, but you can’t read the fossil record literally because even seemingly well-preserved fossil tissues have been cooked and squashed during fossilisation. We’re developing new tools to understand what happens during fossilisation and unlock the chemical secrets of fossils. This will give us exciting new insights into the evolution of important tissues and their biomolecules.”

As predicted by the experiments conducted by this study, analyses of Mesozoic feathers confirm that evidence of feather corneous β-proteins (CBPs) can persist through deep time.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from University College Cork in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Preservation of corneous β-proteins in Mesozoic feathers” by Tiffany S. Slater, Nicholas P. Edwards, Samuel M. Webb, Fucheng Zhang and Maria E. McNamara published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

21 09, 2023

Ouranosaurus Thumb Spikes

By | September 21st, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur can confirm that the recently arrived Ouranosaurus figures WuJu and WuWei have thumb spikes. Yes, we have Ouranosaurus thumb spikes. The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus models in stock at Everything Dinosaur are the latest version. These figures have a thumb spike.

Haolonggood Ouranosaurus thumb spikes.
The Haolonggood green Ouranosaurus model (WuJu) with thumb spikes. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Ouranosaurus Thumb Spikes

The earlier production run of these models lacked thumb spikes. However, once this omission had been highlighted, the design team at Haolonggood set about correcting this oversight. The digits on the manus (hand) have been remodelled to reflect more accurately the fossil record.

Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video in the near future that demonstrates how the model has been amended.

Ouranosaurus thumb spikes.
Everything Dinosaur will post up a short YouTube video highlighting the thumb spikes on the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Quality Dinosaur Figures

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the Haolonggood model range. He highlighted the details found on the two Ouranosaurus models (WuJu and WuWei).

The spokesperson went onto add:

“We intend to post up a short video on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel featuring the two models. Customers have enquired about these Ouranosaurus figures and want to get the more accurate version with the thumb spike. Our video will highlight the thumb spikes helping to inform and reassure our customers.”

Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

20 09, 2023

A Bizarre Avialan Theropod from China

By | September 20th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A new taxon of avialan theropod has been described from fossils found in Fujian Province (China). This small dinosaur has been named Fujianvenator prodigiosus. The fossil bones demonstrate a mosaic of anatomical features that are shared with early avialans as well as other members of the Maniraptora.

Fujianvenator prodigiosus life reconstruction.
A life reconstruction of Fujianvenator prodigiosus along with other vertebrates associated with the Zhenghe Fauna (Late Jurassic of south-eastern China). Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.

Fujianvenator prodigiosus

Writing in the academic journal “Nature”, the researchers describe this new theropod and state that it is one of the stratigraphically youngest avialans described to date. Fujianvenator roamed a wetland environment around 148-150 million years ago (Tithonian faunal stage of the Late Jurassic). Its fossils are likely to prove invaluable in understanding the evolution of the characteristic bird body plan, and to reconcile phylogenetic controversies over the origin of birds.

Fujianvenator is one of the geographically southernmost Jurassic avialans known to science. The headless specimen was excavated from Nanyuan Formation deposits near Yangyuan Village (Zhenghe County).

Defining the Avialae

The Avialae (means bird wings), is a clade of theropods. It contains the Aves (avian dinosaurs) and all non-avian dinosaurs more closely related to birds than to deinonychosaurs. In turn, the Avialae is part of the larger Maniraptora which includes all birds, and well-known types of dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurs, troodontids, the Alvarezsauroidea, the therizinosaurs and the Oviriaptorosauria.

During the fieldwork, a diverse assemblage of vertebrate fossils were documented. The assemblage is dominated by aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Fossil discoveries include fish, turtles and choristoderes (semi-aquatic, diapsid reptiles). Only one dinosaur fossil has been found at the location (Fujianvenator prodigiosus). Furthermore, this is the first time that a dinosaur fossil has been discovered in Fujian Province.

Fujianvenator prodigiosus fossils and interpretative line drawing.
Fujianvenator prodigiosus fossils and interpretative line drawing. Picture credit: Xu et al Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Fujianvenator and the Zhenghe Fauna

Fujianvenator demonstrates a mosaic of morphological features. The forelimbs are similar to those of Archaeopteryx, whereas the hip bones are more typical of troodontids. The hindlimb is elongated, suggesting that this theropod adapted to a wading lifestyle. In contrast, other early avialans show specific adaptations to powered flight or a life in the trees.

Such is the amount of vertebrate fossil material collected that the palaeontologists can build up a detailed map of this ancient swampland ecosystem. They are confident that it will provide key insights into terrestrial ecosystems of the Late Jurassic. Perhaps more avialan theropod fossils will be found.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new avialan theropod from an emerging Jurassic terrestrial fauna” by Liming Xu, Min Wang, Runsheng Chen, Liping Dong, Min Lin, Xing Xu, Jianrong Tang, Hailu You, Guowu Zhou, Linchang Wang, Wenxing He, Yujuan Li, Chi Zhang and Zhonghe Zhou published in Nature.

For models and replicas of dinosaurs including members of the Maniraptora: Dinosaur Replicas Including Models of Theropods.

19 09, 2023

Haolonggood Dinosaur Models Set to Arrive

By | September 19th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The first shipment of Haolonggood dinosaur models is due to arrive at the Everything Dinosaur warehouse on Wednesday, 20th September (2023). A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company explained that the shipment had cleared customs. Transport had been arranged to deliver the Haolonggood dinosaur models to Everything Dinosaur. The models should be on-line and available for sale, either late on the 20th or by early Thursday morning (21st).

Haolonggood dinosaur models due into stock.
The shipment of Haolonggood models has cleared UK customs and is scheduled to arrive at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse on Wednesday, September 20th (2023). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For information about Haolonggood dinosaur models and other prehistoric animal figures stocked by Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Haolonggood Dinosaur Models

In total, there will be nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models delivered.

Here is the full list:

  • Dicraeosaurus (Yunmi).
  • Nasutoceratops (Huarong) and Nasutoceratops (Yanqing).
  • Ouranosaurus (Wuwei) and Ouranosaurus (Wuju).
  • Tianzhenosaurus (Shixiou) and Tianzhenosaurus (Yangxiong).
  • Pentaceratops (Lioutang) and Pentaceratops (Likui).
  • Apatosaurus (Shijing) and Apatosaurus (Huangxin).
  • Wuerhosaurus (Shiyong) and Wuerhosaurus (Jiaoting).
  • Pachyrhinosaurus (Ivfang) and Pachyrhinosaurus (Guosheng).
  • Edmontonia (Jiezhen) and Edmontonia (Jiebao).
  • Allosaurus (Yangzhi) and Allosaurus (Suochao).
Haolonggood dinosaur models (Allosaurus figures).
The Haolonggood Allosaurus dinosaur models (Allosaurus Yangzhi and Suochao).

Haolonggood Allosaurus Figures

Haolonggood tend to create two colour variants of each prehistoric animal model that they manufacture. The picture (above) shows the new Haolonggood Allosaurus figures. The model on the left is Suochao, whilst the blue Allosaurus on the right of the image is Yangzhi. Both these Allosaurus models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur.

The spokesperson commented that this was a substantial shipment and team members would do all they could to ensure the figures were available for sale on the company’s website as quickly as possible.

To view the range of prehistoric animal models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

To view the Haolonggood range of models: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

18 09, 2023

Vectidromeus – A New Hypsilophodontid from the Isle of Wight

By | September 18th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Scientists have formally named a new species of hypsilophodontid dinosaur from the Isle of Wight. The new species, named Vectidromeus insularis, is the second member of the hypsilophodont family to be found on the island after Hypsilophodon foxii. This discovery lends weight to the theory that Europe had its own unique biota of small herbivorous dinosaurs, distinct from those found in North America and Asia.

Vectidromeus insularis life reconstruction.
Vectidromeus insularis life reconstruction. Picture credit: Emily Willoughby.

Vectidromeus insularis

Four blocks containing fossil bones were collected at different times from Wessex Formation exposures at Sudmoor Point which is located on the western side of the island about 2 miles (3.2 kms) from the village of Brighstone. The largest block contains hip bones, dorsal vertebrae, a left femur and lower leg bones. The second block contains other parts of the lower leg bones and some tailbones. A third block consists of elements from the right femur and the right tibia. The small fourth block contains the left metatarsals and bones from the toes (phalanges). Blocks one and two come from the same animal and the other fossils can be tentatively ascribed to the same individual.

Vectidromeus insularis - Mantell/Bowerbank block.
An image of the largest block showing Vectidromeus insularis fossils. Picture credit: University of Bath.

The fossils represent a chicken-sized juvenile. Vectidromeus may have grown much larger.

Closely Related to Hypsilophodon foxii

The specimen shows numerous autapomorphies that distinguish it from Hypsilophodon foxii. For example, the hip bones are very different. The blade of the ilium is short and deep, and the ischia are more rectangular in shape. The fourth trochanter, a muscle attachment scar on the femur is proportionately larger. As both juvenile and adult specimens of H. foxii are known, the research team confidently stated that these anatomical traits were not due to the dinosaur’s young age. The different characteristics indicate a new dinosaur genus, albeit one closely related to Hypsilophodon.

Vectidromeus insularis holotype fossils.
Holotype fossil material of Vectidromeus insularis. Picture credit: University of Bath.

Dr Nicholas Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, led the study. He commented:

“Palaeontologists have been working on the Isle of Wight for more than a century, and these fossils have played an important role in the history of vertebrate palaeontology, but we’re still making new discoveries about the dinosaur fauna as the sea erodes new fossils out of the cliffs.”

Vectidromeus Geologically Much Older than Hypsilophodon

Vectidromeus probably dates from the earliest Barremian or the latest Hauterivian stage of the Early Cretaceous (125-126 million years ago. The H. foxii material from the Hypsilophodon beds higher up the stratigraphic column, lie at the top of the Wessex Formation and are no younger than 121.4 million years. Therefore, as much as 4.6 million years could separate these two taxa.

Vectidromeus insularis compared in size to Hypsilophodon foxii.
Vectidromeus insularis compared in size to Hypsilophodon foxii. Picture credit: University of Bath.

The Cretaceous strata on the Isle of Wight are hundreds of metres thick and span several million years. Scientific consensus is still not entirely clear how old they are – so the fossils may be sampling a whole series of evolving ecosystems, each with a different set of species.

Co-author on the study, Professor Dave Martill (University of Portsmouth) stated:

“It is utterly bizarre that so many new dinosaurs are being discovered on the Isle of Wight. Vectidromeus is the seventh new species of dinosaur to be discovered in the last four years. This is all down to the amateur collectors.”

It is likely that many new species of dinosaur will be described from fossils found on the Isle of Wight. Palaeontologists are building up a more complete picture of the dinosaur dominated fauna that existed in this part of the world during the Early Cretaceous.

Isle of Wight ornithopods.
Herbivorous dinosaurs (ornithopods) known from the Isle of Wight. Picture credit: University of Bath.

Dozens of small plant-eating dinosaurs have been assigned to the hypsilophodont family, but revisions to the dinosaur family tree have resulted in reclassifying them to other branches of the tree, leaving Hypsilophodon as the only species left in the family.

Dr Longrich added:

“We had a curious situation where one of the first dinosaur families to be recognised had just one species. And now, we have two. What’s intriguing is that they’re not particularly closely related to anything found in North America, Asia, or the Southern Hemisphere. We’re still piecing together how all these dinosaurs are related, and how dinosaurs moved between continents. After Pangaea broke up, there was a lot of isolation, leading to different kinds of dinosaurs evolving on each continent.”

This newly published scientific paper highlights the contribution made to science by fossil hunters and their local knowledge.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Vectidromeus insularis, a new hypsilophodontid dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, England” by Nicholas R. Longrich, David M. Martill, Martin Munt, Mick Green, Mark Penn and Shaun Smith published in Cretaceous Research.

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

17 09, 2023

Dicraeosaurus Scale Drawing

By | September 17th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a Dicraeosaurus scale drawing to use in a fact sheet in anticipation of the arrival of the Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus model. The Haolonggood shipment is due to arrive at the company’s warehouse in a few days.

Dicraeosaurus scale drawing.
Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a Dicraeosaurus scale drawing to accompany the fact sheet being written in anticipation of the arrival of the Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dicraeosaurus Scale Drawing

The Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus sauropod model has a scale of 1:35. The figure measures a fraction under 36 cm long. It stands approximately 9.5 cm high.

Two species have been named. Both the type species Dicraeosaurus hansemanni and the potentially geologically younger D. sattleri are known from numerous skeletons, many of which are nearly complete. Dicraeosaurus had a short neck, and a relatively large head. The jaws were more robust than those of other diplodocids. It is likely that this sauropod fed on coarse plant material.

Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus dinosaur model.
The green Haolonggood Dicraeosaurus dinosaur model.

To view the range of dinosaur and prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Dicraeosaurus is regarded as one of the largest of the dicraeosaurid dinosaurs. Palaeontologists estimate that it grew to a length of around fifteen metres.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that the team members were looking forward to the arrival of the Haolonggood models.

The spokesperson added:

“We expect the PNSO and Haolonggood shipments to arrive at our warehouse on the same day. It is likely that they will arrive next Wednesday [20th September]. We have made plans to ensure we can unpack the shipment rapidly and then get these sets of figures on-line quickly. We have also allocated some time that day to contact all those customers who wanted to be informed when the PNSO and Haolonggood figures arrived.”

Visit the website of Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

To view the range of Haolonggood models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Models and Figures.

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