Eofauna Announce a New Triceratops Species

The talented team at Eofauna Scientific Research in collaboration with Everything Dinosaur have revealed their latest prehistoric animal model.  The sixth model in this exciting series is a replica of a Triceratops.  It is not a model of Triceratops horridus or indeed T. prorsus, but a representation of a probable third species, one that has not yet been formally described.

This exciting new model is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early in 2021.

The Eofauna Scientific Research Triceratops sp. Replica

Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research

Triceratops is a Confusing Taxa

“Three-horned Face” might be one of the best known of all the Dinosauria, but from a palaeontological perspective we have a lot to learn about this denizen of the famous Hell Creek Formation of North America.  As many as sixteen different species of Triceratops have been recognised in the past, today, we have just two, Triceratops horridus and the geologically younger Triceratops prorsus.  The new Eofauna Triceratops model is based on an, as yet, unnamed species that shows characteristics of both T. horridus and T. prorsus, not surprisingly really as its fossils are found in sediments below where Triceratops prorsus fossils are located and above the layers associated with Triceratops horridus.

A Teaser Image was Released by Eofauna and Everything Dinosaur Prior to the Formal Announcement

Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research

Confused?  Here’s a brief outline of the science…

Identifying Different Species of Horned Dinosaur

The Ceratopsia provide palaeontologists with a bit of a headache (deliberate pun intended), when it comes to distinguishing species.  Many species have been erected based on the shape of their skulls and their cranial ornamentation – spikes, horns and frills, but these features change as the animals grow and mature.   Hence the long running debate as to whether Torosaurus is a distinct genus or merely very old examples of Triceratops.  Working out species is often compounded when ideas relating to sexual dimorphism are incorporated into the mix.

How to Identify a New Species

In helping to identify a species, a number of conditions need to be met, such as:

1).  The fossils thought to represent a single species need to come from closely associated stratigraphic layers and from the same area.

2).  A range of specimens representing different individuals of different ages are required to help to rule out variations due to ontogeny (different stages of growth and maturity).

3).  Ideally intermediate specimens should exist that combine features of older and younger related species within the stratigraphic column.

Stratigraphic Placement of Hell Creek Formation Triceratops

Picture credit: Scannella et al

The Eofauna Triceratops Figure

The new Eofauna Triceratops model has been inspired by fossil finds associated with the middle portion of the Hell Creek Formation (M3).  The design team have incorporated findings from the study of Triceratops bones such as specimen number UCMP 128561 and MOR 3027 (underlined in blue on the diagram above), that reveal a suite of anatomical characteristics intermediate between T. horridus and T. prorsus.

Although the lower, middle and upper portions of the Hell Creek Formation cover a relatively short period of geological time (around 2 million years), extensive research has revealed that the two currently recognised species of Triceratops are separated stratigraphically and that over time, there was a transformation in the Triceratops lineage with T. horridus evolving into T. prorsus with an intermediate species stage.  In biology, the gradual transition of one species into another within a population is referred to as anagenesis.

Our congratulations to Eofauna Scientific Research, we often praise model making companies for introducing new figures based on fossil specimens that have only recently been described, but in this case, Eofauna have gone further, they have produced a model of a dinosaur that has yet to be formally described demonstrating an informed perspective on vertebrate palaeontology.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post from 2014 when the scientific paper was published: How Triceratops Got its Horns and Beak.

A Helpful Scientific Paper

For a comprehensive overview of the Triceratops genus in respect to identifying new species:

The scientific paper: “Evolutionary trends in Triceratops from the Hell Creek Formation, Montana” by John B. Scannella, Denver W. Fowler, Mark B. Goodwin and John R. Horner published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA.

The Eofauna Triceratops sp. model is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in early 2021.

To view the current range of Eofauna models available from Everything Dinosaur: Eofauna Scientific Research Models and Figures.

In the meantime, visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website for prehistoric animals and dinosaur toys: Everything Dinosaur.

New PNSO Models Borealopelta and Atopodentatus

Today, Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with their partners at PNSO announce the introduction of two more prehistoric animal figures in the PNSO mid-size model range.  Say hello to Gavin the Borealopelta and Zewail the PNSO Atopodentatus marine reptile.

New from PNSO – Gavin the Borealopelta Armoured Dinosaur Model

New Prehistoric Animal Models from PNSO

New from PNSO – Zewail the Atopodentatus Marine Reptile Model

PNSO Gavin the Borealopelta Dinosaur Model

PNSO have been busy introducing several new figures, joining Caroline the Corythosaurus, Audrey the Lambeosaurus, the stunning Tuojiangosaurus and Gaoyuan the Microraptor is a figure of a Borealopelta (B. markmitchelli), named and described in 2017 from a single specimen and regarded as one of the best preserved armoured dinosaur fossils known to science.

A View of the Armour on the Back of the PNSO Borealopelta Model

The front portion of the dinosaur had been preserved in an articulated state and in three-dimensions and the design team at PNSO have taken great care to reproduce the layout of the armour on their dinosaur figure.

What Scale is the PNSO Borealopelta?

Although, the PNSO mid-size model range does not normally have a declared scale, based on the measurements of the Borealopelta fossil specimen from the Suncor Energy Millennium Mine (holotype number TMP 2011.033.0001), Everything Dinosaur team members estimate that this 17.6 cm long model is in approximately 1:32 scale.

PNSO Gavin the Borealopelta Model Measurements

The PNSO Gavin the Borealopelta Dinosaur Model

This figure along with the other new PNSO models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur shortly.

Zewail the PNSO Atopodentatus Model

The second new prehistoric animal model that Everything Dinosaur announce today is a replica of the peculiar Middle Triassic marine reptile from south-western China called Atopodentatus (A. unicus).  It is great to see a Chinese model making company continuing their trend for producing prehistoric animal figures representing prehistoric animals whose fossils were found in China, in this case Yunnan Province.

The PNSO Zewail the Atopodentatus Marine Reptile Model

The taxonomy of this bizarre reptile remains uncertain.  The unusual jaws and teeth suggest a diet of seaweed and algae similar to that of the extant marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands.  With fossils dating from around 245 to 242 million years ago, the scientists responsible for naming and describing Atopodentatus proposed that this was the oldest record of herbivory within marine reptiles.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website for more prehistoric animal models and toys: Everything Dinosaur.

The Amazing Jaws and Teeth of the PNSO Atopodentatus Model

PNSO Atopodentatus Model Measurements

The beautifully sculpted Atopodentatus model measures a fraction over 14 centimetres in length.  Based on an examination of the largest fossil specimens of A. unicus, Everything Dinosaur team members estimate that this figure is in approximately 1/20th scale.

PNSO Atopodentatus Model Measurements

Both Gavin the Borealopelta and the PNSO Atopodentatus model will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur soon.

In the meantime, to view the range of PNSO models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.

PNSO Caroline the Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

PNSO have added another replica of a famous North American duck-billed dinosaur to their mid-sized model range.  Recently, Everything Dinosaur revealed that a Lambeosaurus was being introduced.  Today we announce a figure named Caroline the Corythosaurus.  It has been revealed this morning with Everything Dinosaur and PNSO co-ordinating the release of images of this, the latest edition to the PNSO prehistoric animal model portfolio.  Everything Dinosaur will be stocking this model and we hope to announce very soon when this model will be available.

The PNSO Caroline the Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Graceful Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

This beautifully designed hadrosaur with its long slender legs gives the impression of a very graceful dinosaur.  The proportions of the forelimbs in relation to the hind legs reflect the extensive fossil material associated with this genus.  Regarded as a facultative biped (walking on all fours, but capable of adopting a bipedal stance when required, for example to flee from a predator), this dinosaur is estimated to have weighed more than three tonnes and reached a body length in excess of nine metres.

The New PNSO Caroline the Corythosaurus Measures 27 cm Long

As the PNSO Caroline the Corythosaurus measures approximately twenty-seven centimetres long, it can be suggested that this figure is in approximately 1:33 scale, although PNSO does not officially declare a scale for their mid-sized model range.

A Stunning Replica of “Helmet Lizard”

The first species of Corythosaurus (C. casuarius), was formerly named and described in 1914 (Barnum Brown).  It is known from numerous skeletons including complete skulls, all of which are associated with Late Cretaceous (Campanian faunal stage) strata of Alberta, Canada.  That famous semicircular skull crest has been painted a combination of seafoam green and orange.  This is a stunning replica of “helmet lizard”.

A Close-up View of the Magnificent Head of the PNSO Caroline the Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

A Green-eyed Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

Eagle-eyed dinosaur model collectors will note that this model is number 28 in the series, whereas Gaoyuan the Microraptor, which will be available from Everything Dinosaur around mid-November is model number 29.  The PNSO Tuojiangosaurus replica we announced on October 16th, 2020 is model number 34.  From this, it can be deduced that more PNSO models are likely to follow.  Rest assured model collectors, Everything Dinosaur team members will do their best to keep you up to date with new PNSO figures.

The Packaging for the New PNSO Corythosaurus Dinosaur Model

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Everything Dinosaur will be providing more information about when this exciting new figure will be in stock.

In the meantime, to view the current range of PNSO figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.

PNSO Audrey the Lambeosaurus Dinosaur Model

Everything Dinosaur announces the introduction of a new model into the PNSO mid-size range of replicas – Audrey the Lambeosaurus dinosaur model.  In a co-ordinated media release with PNSO, our team members are able to post up pictures of this, a most impressive duck-billed dinosaur model, a representation of a hadrosaur that roamed North America during the Late Cretaceous.

The PNSO Audrey the Lambeosaurus Dinosaur Model

A Complicated History

The Lambeosaurus genus was formally erected by the Canadian palaeontologist and geologist William Parks in 1923.  The genus name honours another famous Canadian pioneer of palaeontology in the province of Alberta – Lawrence Lambe, who inadvertently contributed to the rather puzzling and complicated assessment of the hadrosaurids of Laramidia, with a number of genera being erected in the early years of the 20th century.  This led to subsequent revisions and reassessments of the wealth of fossil material related to crested hadrosaurs.

Today, three species of Lambeosaurus are recognised by most palaeontologists.  The taxonomic history of the Lambeosaurini tribe is certainly complicated.

The PNSO Lambeosaurus Model (Audrey the Lambeosaurus)

The PNSO Lambeosaurus Dinosaur Model

The PNSO Lambeosaurus has been painted in subtle green hues with orange and black on that striking head crest.  The body, side of the head, neck, flanks, tail and limbs have a reticulated pattern overlaying the countershading.  PNSO have produced an eye-catching replica of a huge herbivorous dinosaur.

A Close-up View of the Head of the New PNSO Dinosaur Model Audrey the Lambeosaurus

The Model Measures 24.5 cm Long (Approximately)

The mid-sized range of prehistoric animals made by PNSO has expanded rapidly.  Everything Dinosaur has already produced a number of blog articles announcing new figures in this very popular series.  Team members often get asked to provide a guide as to the scale of a dinosaur figure.  PNSO do not declare a scale for this particular part of their prehistoric animal portfolio and there is some confusion as to which fossil remains represent Lambeosaurus or other closely related genera.

Some scientists have previously stated that Lambeosaurus could have been as long as fifteen metres, but the largest species from Canada have led to more conservative estimates of around nine metres in length.  Based on a nine-metre-long adult specimen, it could be suggested that the PNSO Lambeosaurus is around 1:36 scale.

The Box Art for Audrey the Lambeosaurus (PNSO)

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: The Everything Dinosaur Website.

Everything Dinosaur will announce shortly when this wonderful duck-billed dinosaur will be in stock.

In the meantime, to view the existing range of PNSO prehistoric animals available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

PNSO Tuojiangosaurus

Those dedicated and enthusiastic people at PNSO have been very busy over the summer months.  We are beginning to see the fruits of their labour, as over the next few weeks or so we will be sharing news about new model releases from this exciting company.  Gaoyuan, the iridescent Microraptor model is already on its way to us,  We are expecting our next shipment of PNSO prehistoric animals to arrive at our warehouse next month and today, (October 16th, 2020), we can officially announce that we will be stocking a Tuojiangosaurus model.

The Latest Stegosaur Figure to Join the PNSO Range

Tuojiangosaurus multispinus

This Late Jurassic herbivore was the first stegosaur to be discovered in China, it is wonderful to have a Chinese model manufacturer introducing some replicas of iconic Chinese dinosaurs.  The exact taxonomic position of Tuojiangosaurus within the stegosaur family tree has been controversial, but most palaeontologists recognise it to be a member (somewhat derived), of the Stegosauridae, the family named after Stegosaurus, one of the most instantly recognisable dinosaurs of them all!

The PNSO Tuojiangosaurus Dinosaur Model

A New Tuojiangosaurus Model

Introduced to Chinese distributors a few hours ago, Everything Dinosaur team members are happy to post up official pictures of this Chinese armoured dinosaur, a member of the Stegosauridae that was officially named and described in 1977, exactly 100 years after the American palaeontologist Othniel Charles Marsh erected the Stegosaurus genus.  The Morrison Formation of the western United States might have been home to Stegosaurus (as well as other types of armoured dinosaur, even basal ankylosaurs), but many academics believe that the Stegosauria clade originated in Asia.

Tuojiangosaurus Model (PNSO) Product Packaging

Not the First PNSO Tuojiangosaurus Model

This is not the first Tuojiangosaurus figure that PNSO have produced.  Collectors may be aware of the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Tuojiangosaurus model, which was one of the original figures in this series launched by the Chinese company.

The PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Tuojiangosaurus Model

The smaller figures tend to be more brightly coloured, whereas the mid-size models such as the new T. multispinus replica tend to have more muted colour schemes. This dinosaur model is also available from Everything Dinosaur.

To visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Heading Towards Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur will post up more news about new model introductions in the near future, in the meantime, to purchase a PNSO dinosaur or prehistoric animal model including the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Tuojiangosaurus: PNSO Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.

Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus Soft Toys

Everything Dinosaur stocks a large range of prehistoric animal soft toys.  We like to refer to all these soft and cuddly creatures as our “prehistoric plush”.  Joining our portfolio of prehistoric animals are a pair of marine reptile soft toys.  Everything Dinosaur has added another Plesiosaurus soft toy and we have also been able to bring in a special Ichthyosaurus as well.  Two wonderful examples of Mesozoic themed soft toys and they are super-sized too!

The Natural History Museum Ichthyosaurus Soft Toy

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Beautifully Textured Marine Reptile Soft Toys

Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been asked to comment on the scales visible on the image above.  We have been emailed several times about this subject and we can confirm that although the fossil record suggests that ichthyosaurs had streamlined bodies that lacked large scales, the texture of the soft toy does show lots of different sized scales.  There are also subtle hues of greys and browns within the fabric.  This is one very tactile example of prehistoric plush!

The Actual Ichthyosaurus Soft Toy as Photographed in the Everything Dinosaur Studio

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

Taking a Close Look at the Ichthyosaurus Soft Toy

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Natural History Museum Plesiosaurus (Marine Reptile Soft Toy)

In addition to the “fish lizard” Everything Dinosaur have added a Natural History Museum Plesiosaurus soft toy.  Both these marine reptile soft toys are quite large, measuring around 50 cm in length.

The Natural History Museum Plesiosaurus Soft Toy

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are delighted to be able to add this pair of prehistoric plush to our prehistoric animal soft toy range.  It is great to be able to offer such a wide variety of prehistoric animal soft toys, they will be fine additions to our plush range which tends to be dominated by the dinosaurs.”

We Think the Plesiosaurus is Smiling!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To purchase the Natural History Museum Ichthyosaurus soft toy and/or the Natural History Museum soft toy Plesiosaurus: Large Soft Toys from Everything Dinosaur.