Atlasaurus – The Fourth Prehistoric Animal Figure from Eofauna Scientific Research

Today, Everything Dinosaur can announce that the fourth figure in the Eofauna Scientific Research range will be… Atlasaurus (A. imelakei), a peculiar sauropod from the Middle Jurassic of North Africa, whose taxonomic affinity within the Sauropoda remains uncertain.  Known from a single specimen, representing an individual animal, this is one very untypical member of the long-necked dinosaurs.  The model is one of two new for 2019 Eofauna Scientific Research figures, both will be available around October, possibly early November.

The Eofauna Scientific Research Atlasaurus Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur

Atlasaurus – A Peculiar Sauropod Trying to Fit In

Named and described in 1999 (Monbaron, Russell and Taquet),  a significant proportion of the skeleton of Atlasaurus (A. imelakei) is known to science.  The type specimen, housed in the Musée des sciences de la Terre de Rabat (Morocco), is just missing a few pieces of bone and about half the caudal vertebrae (tail bones).  This is one very peculiar sauropod, for instance, despite having been named and described quite recently, the type specimen lacks a specific, unique specimen number.  When first studied, it was thought that this dinosaur was similar to Brachiosaurus which was believed to have roamed both Africa and North America.   Subsequently, following a review of brachiosaurid fossils, the African material has largely been attributed to the genus Giraffatitan.   It has been suggested that Atlasaurus may not be closely related to Brachiosaurus at all, it could be a more basal sauropod and a member of the Turiasauria, long-necked dinosaurs that were geographically widespread during the Middle Jurassic.

Unlike Most of the Sauropoda, the Skull of Atlasaurus is Known

Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur

Bizarre Body Proportions

At first glance, the Eofauna Scientific Research figure might look a little strange.  This has nothing to do with the model, it’s just that Atlasaurus was a very strange-looking dinosaur.  The limbs of this dinosaur were proportionately longer than those of any other sauropod.  It had taken a different evolutionary route when compared to its relatives.  The limbs had become elongated and lengthened, whilst in contrast, the neck remained relatively short.  Relative to the length of its dorsal vertebral column Atlasaurus had a much shorter neck, a longer tail and long legs.  In addition, it had a bigger head.

It roamed North Africa around 168-164 million years ago and it has been suggested that its bizarre body proportions evolved so that it could exploit a particular niche in the ecosystem.  It lived in a seasonal, forested environment close to the coast and it is thought that this sauropod was a medium to high-level browser of the forest canopy.

Everything Dinosaur has already opened a reserve list for this eagerly awaited, 1:40 scale figure.  The model itself, measures around 30 cm in length and has a head height of approximately 22.5 cm.

See the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

A Reserve List for the Eofauna Scientific Research Atlasaurus is Now Open

Picture credit: Eofauna Scientific Research/Everything Dinosaur

To join our reserve list for the Eofauna Atlasaurus model: Email Everything Dinosaur to Join the Atlasaurus Reserve List.

To view the rest of the Eofauna Scientific Research models available from Everything Dinosaur: Eofauna Scientific Research Prehistoric Animal Models.

Rare Papo Prehistoric Animal Models in Stock

Several rare Papo prehistoric animal models have come into stock at Everything Dinosaur.  These figures which include the Papo blue Velociraptor dinosaur model, represent figures that have been retired or that have been removed from production.  These Papo dinosaur and prehistoric animal models will be available for a limited period.

In Stock at Everything Dinosaur – Rare Papo Prehistoric Animal Figures

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Papo Dinosaur Models

As well as stocking a wide range of other Papo prehistoric animal figures, for a limited time, five rare Papo models will be available from Everything Dinosaur.  This list includes the original Papo Oviraptor, the Papo baby Triceratops, the green Velociraptor, the Papo Archaeopteryx and the very difficult to obtain Papo blue Velociraptor dinosaur model.

To view these rare Papo models and to see the rest of the Papo prehistoric animal model range that is available from Everything Dinosaur: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

An Evolving Product Range

The range of models offered by Papo is constantly changing and evolving.  The Papo Oviraptor was one of two dinosaur models to be introduced by the French manufacturer in 2010.  It was retired in 2016-17, being replaced by a new blue Oviraptor colour variant.

The Papo Blue Oviraptor Dinosaur Model

The Papo Blue Velociraptor Model

In contrast, the Papo blue Velociraptor was only available for a very short time.  It was introduced in 2017 and retired within eighteen months.  It had been introduced to replace the Papo green Velociraptor that had been launched in the previous year.  For a short time, Papo fans had the chance to build up their very own “raptor” pack.  Now thanks to Everything Dinosaur, collectors who missed out the first time have another opportunity, but only whilst stocks last.

A Trio of Papo “Raptors” Available for a Short Time (Whilst Stocks Last)

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Papo Baby Triceratops and the Papo Archaeopteryx Model

The future of the Papo baby Triceratops remains uncertain.   It was introduced in 2014 and its demise was reported last year.  The Papo Archaeopteryx was added to the Papo model range (Les Dinosaures), in the same year as the baby Triceratops, an announcement was made about this figure’s retirement in the autumn of 2018.  We reported upon this and the withdrawal of the Papo Tupuxuara in October 2018: Papo Model Retirements in 2019.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We do our best to report on model retirements and in this instance we have been able to hold back some stock of rare models so that we could introduce them now enabling collectors who had missed out first time around to purchase these models.  We have kept our pricing at the same levels as usual, we do not want to exploit the rarity of such figures, rather provide dinosaur model fans with one last chance of picking up one of these excellent figures for their collection.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.