Amongst the many exhibits at the “Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur” exhibition is a theropod replica skull. Team members visited the exhibition and marvelled at the dinosaur’s model skull. If we recall correctly, it was a replica of a Mapusaurus fossil skull. The “Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur” exhibition is currently at the London Natural History Museum.
A view of the Mapusaurus replica skull on display at the London Natural History Museum (Patagotitan exhibition). In this view the skull looks narrow and elongated. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mapusaurus roseae
Mapusaurus (M. roseae), has been classified as a member of the Carcharodontosauridae family. More specifically, this huge theropod is regarded by many palaeontologists as a sister taxon to Giganotosaurus. As such, it has been classified in the tribe Giganotosaurini alongside Giganotosaurus carolinii.
The changing Mapusaurus models 2012 – 2020 (CollectA).
The picture (above) shows how Mapusaurus models have changed over the last few years as more carcharodontosaurid fossils have been found. These models are all CollectA replicas.
Palaeontologists know that large carcharodontosaurids coexisted with titanosaurs like Patagotitan (P. mayorum). It has been postulated that theropods did hunt titanosaurs. Perhaps carnivores mobbed sick, old or juvenile members of the herd. It is hard to imagine a single 13-metre-long carnivore being able to subdue an adult Patagotitan that measured more than 30 metres in length.
A carcharodontosaurid skull is included in the exhibit. We think this is a replica of the skull of Mapusaurus roseae. Mapusaurus is geologically younger than Patagotitan. The dating of volcanic ash layers associated with the Patagotitan deposits suggest that this dinosaur lived approximately 100 million years ago.
The Mapusaurus skull replica looks shorter and broader when viewed from 90 degrees. Compare this view with the Mapusaurus skull photograph at the top of the article. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
M. roseae fossils are associated with the Huincul Formation, these are younger strata than the rocks associated with Patagotitan fossil material. Mapusaurus lived approximately 96-94 million years ago.
To read Everything Dinosaur’s earlier blog post looking at a trio of carcharodontosaurid dinosaurs: A Trio of Carcharodontosaurids.
There is a carcharodontosaurid that comes from the same Member of the Cerro Barcino Formation as Patagotitan. This dinosaur is Tyrannotitan chubutensis, another giant member of the Giganotosaurini tribe. Tyrannotitan may have hunted and attacked Patagotitan.
Cladogram depicting the temporal and geographical distribution of the Carcharodontosauridae family of theropod dinosaurs. At the time of their extinction these meat-eating dinosaurs seem to have been at their peak diversity. Picture credit: Canale et al.
The cladogram (above) shows the estimated temporal range for several theropod dinosaurs associated with the carcharodontosaurid lineage. Tyrannotitan was not contemporaneous with Mapusaurus.
What is Everything Dinosaur’s favourite dinosaur? This question was asked recently and although we are fascinated with lots of prehistoric animals, a quick discussion revealed that our favourite dinosaur is Protoceratops.
Palaeontologists can study Protoceratops (there are now two recognised species) at various growth stages from embryos in eggs to extremely old, mature adults.
The “sheep of the Cretaceous”. Protoceratops replica fossil skeleton (top) and (bottom) a life reconstruction of this small ceratopsid. Picture credit (top): Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit (bottom): Zhao Chuang.
The “Sheep of the Cretaceous”
Nicknamed the “sheep of the Cretaceous” due to the relatively abundant fossil material. This dinosaur, distantly related to Triceratops and Styracosaurus was formally described 100 years ago (Granger and Gregory,1923). Two species are recognised Protoceratops andrewsi and P. hellenikorhinus (Lambert et al 2001).
The Wild Past Protoceratops (P. andrewsi) next to a geology ruler to show scale. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows the Wild Past Protoceratops dinosaur model. It is a small figure, but it does come supplied with a nest and an Everything Dinosaur fact sheet.
We have learned a lot about dinosaurs thanks to Protoceratops. It may not be the biggest dinosaur, but this herbivore has played a significant role in helping us to understand more about the Dinosauria and as such we will always regard this animal as something special.
If you visit a Natural History Museum, chances are that somewhere in the dinosaur gallery you will find Protoceratops. It is usually tucked away and it’s never going to attract the visitors like a T. rex, or a Triceratops (distantly related to Protoceratops), but go take a look, as I promise, you will probably learn something new about dinosaurs that you didn’t know before.
Whilst on a short visit to the London Natural History Museum team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to visit the dinosaur gallery. Amongst the dinosaur bones and exhibits of fossil teeth, a trace fossil was spotted. It was a fossil dinosaur footprint, a specimen from the famous Lark Quarry site (Australia).
A fossil dinosaur footprint photographed at the London Natural History Museum. The exhibit features a three-toed print from the famous Lark Quarry track site in Australia. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Fossil Dinosaur Footprint
The Lark Quarry site is regarded as one of the most remarkable non-avian trace fossils in the world. The site, near the town of Winton (Queensland, Australia) preserves the fossilised footprints of at least three different types of dinosaur. When first extensively studied, it was thought the tracks represented a large theropod disturbing smaller dinosaurs and causing a stampede.
It had been suggested that the big tridactyl prints were made by an ornithopod and not a carnivorous theropod.
Other scientists have suggested that the larger tracks were made by Australovenator. Australovenator (A. wintonensis) was named and described in 2009 (Hocknull et al). It has been classified as a member of the Megaraptoridae family. Australovenator may have been a sister taxon of Fukuiraptor, which is known from Japan.
The CollectA Australovenator replica.
The picture (above) shows a CollectA Australovenator model from the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular range.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The Lark Quarry site is extremely important for ichnologists. The site preserves around 3,300 dinosaur tracks. The tracks have been interpreted in several ways. For example, the largest tridactyl prints could represent an ornithopod, or perhaps they were made by a theropod like Australovenator.”
Everything Dinosaur team members recently visited the Natural History Museum in London to see the enormous Patagotitan skeleton on display. This is the first time this titanosaur exhibition has visited Europe. The huge replica skeleton of Patagotitan (P. mayorum) is twelve metres longer than the skeleton of the blue whale (Hope) on display above the Hintze Hall. The exhibition is entitled “Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur”. Patagotitan mayorum may not be the biggest dinosaur described to date, but it does have one of the most complete fossil records of any member of the Titanosauria.
Sue from Everything Dinosaur poses in front of the colossal Patagotitan skeleton which is being exhibited at the Natural History Museum (London). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Patagotitan mayorum
Named and described in 2017. Patagotitan fossils were excavated from the Cerro Barcino Formation in Chubut Province, Patagonia in southern Argentina. Size estimates vary for this enormous animal. When first studied, the length of the largest specimen known from the fossil quarry was estimated to be around 37 metres.
Last year (2022) Safari Ltd introduced a beautiful replica of this titanosaur.
The new for 2022 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Patagotitan model. This titanosaur model measures over 38 cm long which effectively makes this figure a 1:100 scale model.
“Enormosaurus”
The first fossils were found (2010) and field excavations were undertaken (2012 to 2015). As the fossil material was excavate, the bones were so big the dinosaur was nicknamed “Enormosaurus”.
The enormous body of the titanosaur towers over visitors. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The exhibition will remain open until January 2024.
The fossils representing the first, non-avian dinosaur with feather-like structures found in South America has been returned to Brazil. The Ubirajara fossil specimen has been repatriated from Germany. This prized but controversial fossil, was named and described in 2020 (Ubirajara jubatus).
Since the scientific publication, campaigners, including many prominent Brazilian scientists, had requested that this dinosaur be returned home. One of the leading advocates for the repatriation was Professor Aline Ghilardi of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN).
Professor Aline Ghilardi, right, next to Professor Juan Cisnero (UFPI) and the minister of MCTI, Luciana Santos (centre). The Ubirajara fossil specimen is returned to Brazil. Picture credit: Luara Baggi – Ascom/MCTI.
The excitement in Brazil sparked by the scientific publication turned to dismay when it was realised that the fossil had been removed from the country. The materials and methods section of the paper stated that the specimen had been taken out of Brazil in 1995.
The first Brazilian law dealing with the protection of fossils was created in 1942. The legislation permitted fossils to leave the country, but authorisation was required. Subsequently, the law was strengthened, and it outlined how fossils should be collected, exported and insisted that Brazilian scientists should be involved in the study of such artifacts.
Ubirajara jubatus life reconstruction by the very talented palaeoartist Bob Nicholls.
Following a campaign, the paper describing U. jubatus, the first non-avian dinosaur to be found in the Southern Hemisphere with feather-like filaments was withdrawn.
After the allegations of illegal smuggling, it was agreed to return the specimen to Brazil. The scientific name Ubirajara jubatus was removed from the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) registry. The dinosaur’s name currently is regarded as invalid. Whether the scientific name for this little theropod is to be retained has yet to be decided.
UbirajaraBelongstoBR
The repatriation was assisted by a highly successful social media campaign using the hashtag UbirajaraBelongstoBR.
An investigation was launched in Germany. This culminated in the recognition of the misconduct and unethical behaviour of the researchers involved. With that, finally, it was decided to return the dinosaur home in July 2022.
The controversy surrounding Ubirajara highlights a growing trend within palaeontology for assessing the impact of colonialism and the removal of fossil material from countries to America and Europe.
Professor Aline explained:
“Colonialist attitudes influence our science and make it a worse science and the results biased.”
Taking photographs of the Ubirajara fossil (counter slab). Picture credit: Juan Cisneros.
The Return of the Ubirajara Fossil Specimen
The social media campaign played a significant role in the successful repatriation. The return of the Ubirajara fossil specimen was achieved through a collaboration with the public, governments and palaeontologists.
A spokesperson commented that this campaign highlights how the public wants to engage and participate with scientific debate. The return of Ubirajara will hopefully inspire other scientists to engage in such campaigns, helping to improve palaeontology by making it more inclusive, fair and ethical.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in the compilation of this article.
Most ammonites had planispiral shells. However, throughout the course of the long evolutionary history of these remarkable and diverse cephalopods a huge variety of shell forms evolved. Everything Dinosaur team members spotted a stunning example of a heteromorph ammonite on display in the fossils gallery at the Manchester Museum.
A heteromorph ammonite fossil part of an exhibit showing the huge variety of ammonite fossil shells at the Manchester Museum. Most heteromorph ammonites evolved in the Cretaceous. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Heteromorph Ammonites
If asked to draw an ammonite shell, most people would sketch a tightly coiled shell, in a single plane with the diameter of each successive whorl getting bigger. This is a description of a typical ammonite planispiral shell. This would be an example of a homomorph shell. During the Late Jurassic, several new types of ammonite began to appear with varying degrees of uncoiled shells.
The colourful heteromorph ammonoid model – CollectA Pravitoceras. This model was introduced by CollectA in 2021.
The picture (above) shows the colourful CollectA Pravitoceras ammonite model. This figure was added to the CollectA model range in 2021. The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs series includes numerous extinct invertebrates. Trilobites, nautiloids, belemnites and ammonites are included in this substantial range.
These types of ammonites (heteromorph ammonites), became increasingly abundant during the Cretaceous and by the Late Cretaceous they were widespread and extremely diverse with a myriad of different types occupying marine environments.
Important Zonal Fossils (Heteromorph Ammonite Types)
Heteromorph ammonites were extremely numerous by the end of the Cretaceous. Many genera have become important zonal fossils. Both homomorph and heteromorph ammonites are used extensively by geologists for zoning strata and for relative dating of rock formations.
Everything Dinosaur team members have been featured in a blog article posted by a fossil collector and organiser of guided fossil walks at Lyme Regis. Brandon Lennon wrote about the ammonite figures that we supplied him. These models make excellent teaching resources when explaining about the creatures that the Lyme Regis ammonite fossils represent.
A Bullyland ammonite model is used to help illustrate a display of ammonite fossils. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Ammonite Models
Ammonite models supplied by Everything Dinosaur can be spotted in museums. Palaeontologists use them in their science outreach work. Fossil collectors like to display the models next to ammonite fossils.
The Bullyland, large ammonite model is a popular choice amongst palaeontologists and fossil collectors.
Brandon Lennon leads guided fossil walks in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth areas. These walks are extremely well attended, and Brandon uses the ammonite figures to help explain a little about these enigmatic cephalopods.
The blog article states:
“Thanks to Mike and Sue at Everything Dinosaur! I received a great parcel from them that will help me no end on the Jurassic Coast fossil walks! They have provided some ammonite models to show the morphology of an ammonite with! The Bullyland ammonite proves helpful when it comes to explaining how fossils are interpreted and a “living” animal reconstructed. See everythingdinosaur1 for its amazing array of educational models they are on Instagram. See the ammonite models on their Instagram page and much, much more!”
To view the website of Brandon Lennon and perhaps, pick up a fantastic fossil or two: Lyme Regis Fossils for Sale.
The strongly ribbed shell and the obvious keel of the ammonite replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Thanks from Everything Dinosaur
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson, thanked Brandon for his blog post. We wish Brandon every success with this season’s guided fossil walks. Perhaps, one lucky participant will find some ichthyosaur bones!
Researchers from the University of Southampton studying a partial spinosaurid tooth have concluded that several different spinosaurs inhabited southern England during the Early Cretaceous. The tooth consisting of a crown with a partial root is reputed to have come from East Sussex, most probably from Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian) exposures of the Hastings Group (part of the Wealden Supergroup). If this is the case, then this tooth is amongst the oldest spinosaurid fossils known from the UK.
The spinosaurid tooth (specimen number HASMG G369a) shown in lingual view (left) and mesial view (right). Picture credit: University of Southampton.
Sorting the Stratigraphy
In common with many other isolated teeth found in strata associated with the Wealden Supergroup, it had been suggested that this tooth represented Baryonyx (B. walkeri). However, The Hastings Group underlies the Weald Clay Group from where the famous Baryonyx walkeri fossil material (NHMUK PV R9951) originates. Therefore, this fossil tooth is much older than the Baryonyx holotype material.
The fossil tooth could be around 138 million years old, much older than Baryonyx walkeri and therefore probably a different spinosaurid genus.
The Southampton University EvoPalaeoLab team carried out a series of tests on the isolated tooth. A statistical analysis confirmed that whilst the tooth was spinosaurid, it did not match any already described spinosaur species.
Project supervisor and co-author of the paper Dr Neil Gostling (University of Southampton explained:
“While we can’t formally identify a new species from one tooth, we can say this spinosaur tooth doesn’t match any of the existing species we know about. Given how many individual teeth exist in collections, this could be just the tip of the iceberg and it’s quite possible that Britain may have once teemed with a diverse range of these semi-aquatic, fish-eating dinosaurs.”
Many Different Spinosaurs
The Wealden Supergroup is famous for its dinosaur fossils. Baryonyx was discovered in a Surrey clay pit in 1983. Since then, isolated teeth from spinosaurids have tended to be assigned to this genus. Spinosaurids are a highly derived group of theropods. They evolved into piscivores and specialised in hunting and eating fish. Their jaws became elongated and crocodile-like and spinosaurids may have had their evolutionary origins in Europe.
The CollectA new for 2020 Prehistoric Life Baryonyx dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The model (above) is a CollectA Prehistoric Life Baryonyx figure.
Palaeontologists had suspected that there were several spinosaurid taxa represented by the Wealden Supergroup material. Spinosaurid teeth are known from formations that span much of the circa 25-million-year depositional history of the Wealden Supergroup, and recent works suggest that British spinosaurids were more taxonomically diverse than previously thought.
“We used a variety of techniques to identify this specimen, in order to test whether isolated spinosaur teeth could be referred to Baryonyx. The tooth did not group with Baryonyx in any of our data runs. It must belong to a different type of spinosaur.”
Distinct and Distantly Related Spinosaurids Lived in Southern England
The results demonstrate that distinct and distantly related spinosaur types lived in the region during the Early Cretaceous. This backs up research by the EvoPalaeoLab team, who argued in previous studies that the spinosaurs of southern England are more diverse than previously thought.
Illustration of White Rock spinosaurid. Picture credit: University of Southampton/Anthony Hutchings.
The Importance of Museum Collections
The study was able to take place as the researchers had access to a wealth of data as well as the fossil specimens themselves. It demonstrates the importance of maintaining access to fossil material for research purposes.
Dr Gostling explained:
“What this work highlights is the importance of keeping collections alive, and developing our understanding of them. Curators are essential to help us navigate the cupboards and displays, helping us to unpick the often-incomplete records – either never fully recorded, or lost to time. The diversity of palaeoenvironments is not always hidden in rocks, it is often waiting in a museum, its importance waiting to be rediscovered!”
Co-author Darren Naish added:
“Dinosaur teeth preserve numerous anatomical details, and we can use various analytical techniques to see how similar, or different, they are to other teeth. Our new study shows that previously unrecognised spinosaur species exist in poorly known sections of the Wealden’s history, and we hope that better remains will be discovered that improves our knowledge. Here’s another reminder that even well-studied places like southern England have the potential to yield new dinosaur species.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Southampton in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Isolated tooth reveals hidden spinosaurid dinosaur diversity in the British Wealden Supergroup (Lower Cretaceous)” by Chris T. Barker, Darren Naish and Neil J. Gostling published in PeerJ.
A return visit to the Manchester Museum permitted Everything Dinosaur team members to take a photograph of the Tenontosaurus gastroliths that form part of a new dinosaur exhibit at the Museum. The gastroliths (stomach stones) were found in the body cavity of a Tenontosaurus tilletti specimen discovered in Montana in 1994.
The gastroliths associated with “April” the Tenontosaurus specimen on display at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The specimen (MANCH LL.12275) was acquired by the Manchester Museum in 1999 and a recently opened exhibit has permitted the fossil bones of this dinosaur to be displayed. The fossil material represents one of the best-preserved and most complete examples of Tenontosaurus tilletti known to science.
Tenontosaurus drawing. An illustration of the Early Cretaceous iguanodontidTenontosaurus tilletti. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Tenontosaurus illustration (above) is based on the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Tenontosaurus model.
This amazing dinosaur fossil was nicknamed “April” after the wife of Barry James who cleaned and prepared the fossils for exhibition. Gastroliths (stomach stones) were found in the body cavity of this dinosaur. Some dinosaurs swallowed stones to help them grind up tough plants and aid digestion. These stones were held in a gizzard and helped to break down plant-material and assisted in the extraction of nutrients.
Only a handful of examples of stomach stones associated with ornithopods have been recorded. “April” the Tenontosaurus is the largest ornithopod dinosaur known to science associated with gastroliths.
“April” the Tenontosaurus on display at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
“April” the Tenontosaurus is part of a new, permanent display highlighting research conducted by Manchester University scientists into the Dinosauria.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur spotted an unusual stegosaur replica on display at the Manchester Museum. The label next to the armoured dinosaur figure stated that this was a Victorian stegosaur model. The model must indeed be old, as stegosaurs such as Stegosaurus stenops are viewed very differently by palaeontologists today.
A model of a stegosaur in a display cabinet in the fossils and dinosaurs gallery at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Stegosaurus stenops
The fossilised remains of an immature Stegosaurus stenops is on display at the Natural History Museum in London. The dinosaur, nicknamed Sophie comes from Wyoming and the fossil material represents one of the most complete stegosaur fossils known to science. The skeleton consists of more than three hundred bones.
The London Natural History Museum exhibit shows a modern interpretation of this iconic herbivorous dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur stocks a large number of armoured dinosaur figures and models.
Sophie the Stegosaurus (S. stenops), a star exhibit at the London Natural History Museum. This is a modern interpretation of this iconic armoured dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Victorian Stegosaur Model
The Victorian stegosaur model provides a reminder to visitors about how are views of the Dinosauria have changed. The side of the figure facing the public has been fleshed out, whilst the side which is not visible shows the animal’s skeleton. Note the bones of the lower portions of the limbs on the right side which are visible in the photograph.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This Victorian dinosaur model is not an accurate representation of a Stegosaurus. However, it does remind us how dinosaurs used to be depicted. It acts as bellwether informing visitors about how our views regarding dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus have changed over time.”
