This year, (2022) PNSO added a replica of the Early Cretaceous theropod dinosaur Acrocanthosaurus to their popular mid-size model range. Say hello, to PNSO Fergus the Acrocanthosaurus. It is a wonderful replica of a member of the Carcharodontosauridae known from the United States of America.
A Detailed Dinosaur Model
The figure has been beautifully painted, and it has an articulated lower jaw and a clear, plastic support stand to assist with display. The figure measures over 32 centimetres long, and those skilfully recreated lacrimal crests are some 10.5 cm off the ground. It is a stunning replica of a super-sized predator.
Sci-Art Poster and Colour Booklet
The figure has been so well made that it can stand on a solid, flat surface without the need of the clear, plastic display stand that comes with the dinosaur model. Fergus the Acrocanthosaurus is also supplied with a sci-art poster and a 64-page, fully illustrated colour booklet.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are delighted that PNSO have added a replica of an Acrocanthosaurus to their mid-size model range. As far as we at Everything Dinosaur are aware, Acrocanthosaurus atokensis is the only member of the Carcharodontosauridae known from the United States. A theropod named and described in 2012 known as Siats meekerorum might be a member of the related family the Neovenatoridae, which along with the Carcharodontosauridae make up the Carcharodontosauria clade, but the taxonomic position of Siats remains uncertain. However, Acrocanthosaurus was an apex predator, and it deserves to be included in the exciting PNSO model range.”
To view the PNSO Fergus the Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model and the rest of the PNSO range of prehistoric animal models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.
Everything Dinosaur has been able to source a limited quantity of the now retired red Papo Styracosaurus dinosaur model. This rare figure is available (whilst stocks last).
The Papo red Styracosaurus has been retired. Production stopped a while ago, however, the dedicated team members at Everything Dinosaur were able to source a few models with the collaboration of their chums at Papo.
Originally introduced into the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range back in 2011, this popular horned dinosaur figure is being replaced by a green colour variant. A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated that as model collectors themselves, they can understand how customers feel if a model is retired and out of production before they have had the chance to add it to their collection.
The spokesperson explained:
“We have worked tirelessly to source a limited number of these rare red Styracosaurus figures. We have done this to help and support our customers. We have also ensured that although this figure is rare, we have not put it on-line at a ridiculous price, we know how other platforms rapidly raise their prices once they realise a model is out of production.”
Papo Product Packaging
The Papo red Styracosaurus figure will be supplied by Everything Dinosaur in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag. This is different from the normal Papo packaging and reflects the fact that only a few of these replicas were at the factory. Each model is contained in its own re-sealable and therefore re-useable plastic packaging.
Time to praise CollectA for adding some superb replicas of prehistoric cephalopods to the “Prehistoric Life” model collection including a Pleuroceras ammonite, a nautilus and a Cooperoceras replica.
The picture (above) shows the bizarre Palaeozoic nautiloid Cooperoceras (left). The CollectA Pleuroceras ammonite (centre) a replica of a geographically widespread ammonite known from Lower Jurassic strata and on the right is a replica of the extant, chambered nautilus N. pompilius, which is distantly related to Cooperoceras.
Marvellous Molluscs
The Cephalopoda (cephalopods) are a class within the huge Mollusca phylum. The cephalopods which include extant squid, cuttlefish and octopi as well as extinct forms such as ammonites and indeed belemnites, only make up a small proportion of the genera within the Mollusca. The most successful molluscs in terms of the number of species and habitat range are the gastropods (slugs and snails). It has been calculated that more than three-quarters of all the molluscs known to science are members of the Gastropoda class. The Mollusca phylum is itself, the second largest phyla within the Kingdom Animalia (the largest being the Arthropoda).
Still, that is enough musing about invertebrate taxonomy for now, it is just great to be able to stock a fabulous selection of cephalopod models, including this trio of CollectA cephalopods.
CollectA Age of Dinosaurs “Prehistoric Life” Figures
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised CollectA for producing such a wide range of prehistoric animal figures. The cephalopod models have proved particularly popular with fossil collectors, they have been able to add a replica of the living animal to their fossil display cabinets.
Today, is the first day of industrial action by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) which will have an impact on the postal services of Royal Mail. Everything Dinosaur team members have put in place measures to protect customers and to minimise the disruption to parcel collection and deliveries.
However, despite our best efforts, there will be delays to UK deliveries and as overseas parcels handled by Royal Mail will also be affected, our customers outside the UK will also face delays in receiving their parcels.
Four Days of Industrial Action Planned
The CWU has called on its members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take strike action. Four days of industrial action have been announced, starting with today (26th August). Further strike action is planned for Wednesday 31st August, with two further strikes scheduled for September (8th and 9th of September).
Royal Mail has released the following statement:
“We’re really sorry for the disruption that this strike action is likely to cause to you. We want to reassure you we will do everything we can to minimise disruption and get our services back to normal as quickly as possible. Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce. We will be doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption.”
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that the UK-based mail order company was not expecting any collections by Royal Mail today. Parcels would still be packed and prepared for collection, but with the Bank Holiday Monday, the earliest deliveries could be sent out would be Tuesday 30th August.
Staff would be working over the weekend and during the Bank Holiday to ensure that as many parcels as possible could be sent out on Tuesday 30th August.
It is hoped that some collection services would be able to take place as Royal Mail management adjusts to the industrial action, but delays to parcel deliveries were inevitable.
Royal Mail has issued advice to its customers stating that it was sensible to “post items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates”. This would help to minimise the disruption.
Industrial action at the Port of Felixstowe could have an impact on the availability of goods, including Everything Dinosaur’s range of prehistoric animal models and figures in the crucial sales period leading up to Christmas.
Recently, staff at Felixstowe Port, one of the busiest ports in Europe, started industrial action in a dispute over pay. If the dispute is not resolved and further strike action follows, this could have an impact on the range of items available and inventory in the vital retail period – quarter 4.
The Port of Felixstowe
The Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s biggest and busiest container port, and one of the largest in Europe. It handles over 4 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) per year, around 2,000 container ships, including some of the biggest vessels afloat, unload at Felixstowe each year. The port is a vital component of Britain’s commercial infrastructure. If industrial action continues into the autumn, then this could cause significant disruption to already stretched supply chains in the lead up to Christmas.
All sorts of sectors of the UK economy could be affected including legal importers of prehistoric animal models and figures such as Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from the UK-based company commented:
“We continue to monitor the situation and we are working closely with our freight forwarding contacts to mitigate the impact of any disruption to supplies and minimise any inconvenience for our customers.”
Shop Early for Christmas
Whilst alternative ports are a possibility, continued and prolonged industrial action at Felixstowe could have a knock-on effect for the UK supply chain and result in a shortage of products available in shops. Commentators have advised that customers shop early for Christmas as one way of minimising the potential impact of these strikes.
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that as the company had their own warehouse, they had been able to build up considerable stock of prehistoric animal models and figures as well as dinosaur toys. It was stressed that deliveries to the warehouse were still taking place.
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson added:
“We do have shipments arriving at Felixstowe and there are shipments already scheduled and further ones being planned. We have been able to build up our inventory and we currently have thousands of items in stock which should provide some reassurance to our customers.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the Head of Corporate Affairs at the Port of Felixstowe in the compilation of this article.
Everything Dinosaur has received stock of the new Papo young Smilodon model. This sabre-toothed cat figure was one of two models scheduled to be introduced by Papo last year. However, like many manufacturers, the global pandemic and issues with logistics had delayed the introduction of this prehistoric mammal figure.
The Papo Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) * arrived in September 2021, the young Smilodon was subject to further delays, but this new replica has safely arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s UK warehouse.
Papo Model Colouration
The actual figures are slightly darker than the studio image supplied by Papo. The colouration of a figure can be influenced by the camera settings, the lighting and even the device on which the image is viewed. However, the young Smilodon figure does tend to be a little darker than the official Papo image suggests.
The image (above), is one of the official Papo product images. In contrast, the image below shows a studio shot of the model taken by a team member at Everything Dinosaur. The difference in colouration could reflect different lighting conditions and camera settings.
2109 – The Number of the Beast
The Papo young Smilodon, or to use the term most familiar with our French chums – “le Papo jeune Smilodon”, has the number 2109 stamped on the lowermost portion of the flank. We suspect that this is the batch number, it being a legal requirement so that production batches can be traced, if there ever was a need to recall them.
Model Measurements
The Papo young Smilodon figure measures approximately 9.5 cm in length and the ears of this hand-painted figure stand around 5 cm off the ground. This is the third Smilodon (Sabre-toothed cat) replica figure to be added to the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range after the adult Smilodon (2011) and the maned, Papo roaring Smilodon (2017).
Papo Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) * – to read Everything Dinosaurs review of this prehistoric shark figure from September 2021: Papo The Megalodon Shark Model.
Papo Young Smilodon
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that the figure was proving to be extremely popular with Papo model collectors, the black lines around the eyes of the model reminded team members of the eyeliner used in ancient Egyptian culture. Cats are among the most iconic animals in ancient Egyptian art and culture. The feline goddess Bastet is perhaps the best-known. Bastet is associated with wishes for family well-being and health as well as protection from danger.
With the announcement of the new PNSO spinosaurid figure Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus earlier this week (Monday, 15th August), team members at Everything Dinosaur thought it might be helpful to outline the taxonomic history of this enigmatic theropod. Fragmentary fossils that led to the establishment of the Sinopliosaurus genus were originally thought to represent a marine reptile. One that had lived in a huge freshwater lake during the Early Jurassic around 180 million years ago (Toarcian faunal stage).
Everything Dinosaur expects this dinosaur model to be in stock in the autumn.
PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus – an Explanation
Fragmentary bones including three vertebrae, a tooth, elements from the hips (the ischium) and a femur (thigh bone) found in Lower Jurassic (Toarcian faunal stage) Ziliujing Formation exposures at Weiyuan (Sichuan Province, China) were thought to represent a freshwater pliosaur. Although very little of the skeleton was known, the fossil bones that were found were preserved in three-dimensions and not flattened and the pliosaur species Sinopliosaurus weiyuanensis was confidently erected (1944). The femur for example, was described as being of the “usual Plesiosaurian type”, robust, rather squat and not elongated. The ischium was noted as being reminiscent of the Late Cretaceous Canadian plesiosaur Leurospondylus ultimus, which had been erected by Barnum Brown in 1913. L. ultimus itself is a disputed taxon, classified as “incertae sedis”. This marine reptile was described based on fossil material most likely from a juvenile and the material might represent an elasmosaurid.
The taxonomic status of Leurospondylus ultimus remains unresolved.
The genus name (Sinopliosaurus) means “Chinese more lizard”, reflecting the assumed close taxonomic relationship with pliosaurs found elsewhere in the world.
Who Named the Pliosaurus Genus?
It was the English anatomist Sir Richard Owen who first used the genus Pliosaurus (Pliosaurus brachydeirus) back in 1841. Owen mistakenly believed that Pliosaurus was “more” closely related to “saurians” (including crocodilians) than it was to Plesiosaurus.
The scientific description of S. weiyuanensis was published in the Bulletin of the Geological Society of China in 1944 by the eminent, Chinese palaeontologist and zoologist C.C. (Chung Chien) Young. Regarded as the “Father of Chinese vertebrate palaeontology”, his diagnosis was not challenged or questioned.
Spinosaurid fossils from Asia were unknown, the only substantial research into this enigmatic family of dinosaurs had been taking place in Germany (Stromer – Spinosaurus aegyptiacus). As the fossils were similar to those fossils ascribed to pliosaurs, it was thought that these Chinese fossils too, also represented a marine reptile.
Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis (Hou et al) 1975
Five isolated teeth from the Early Cretaceous Xinlong Formation (sometimes referred to as the Napai Formation) found in Fusui County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (South China), were described by Chinese palaeontologist Hou Lian-Hai and colleagues and a second species of Sinopliosaurus was erected – S. fusuiensis (1975).
The strata associated with these fossils is difficult to date accurately, but the consensus is that these sediments were deposited around 120 to 100 million years ago (Aptian-Albian faunal stage of the Early Cretaceous). The fossils ascribed to S. fusuiensis were around sixty million years younger than the fossil material associated with S. weiyuanensis.
The Emergence of Asian Spinosaurs – Siamosaurus suteethorni
Fossil teeth collected from the Lower Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation (Barremian faunal stage) in north-eastern Thailand by a joint Thai/French team in the early 1980s led to the conclusion that they represented an unusual theropod dinosaur or possibly an, as yet undescribed crocodyliform. A reassessment of the fossil material in 1986 led to the establishment of the Asian spinosaurid species Siamosaurus suteethorni. Subsequently, other fossil material has been described and assigned to this genus, principally fossils excavated from the slightly geologically younger Khok Kruat Formation of Thailand.
Siamosaurus was the first Asian spinosaur to be described and following its scientific description (Buffetaut and Ingavat, 1986), teeth and other material found in Asia has been reassigned to the Spinosauridae.
In 2008, Buffetaut and colleagues published a scientific paper (Cambridge University Press), that challenged the placement of Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis as a marine reptile. It was concluded that the conical teeth assigned to S. fusuiensis were not typical of a member of the Plesiosauria. Specifically, it was noted that these teeth bear carinae (sharp edges) on the plane of the crown’s curvature, a characteristic not seen in Plesiosauria teeth. Buffetaut et al subsequently re-described the material and stated that the teeth came from a spinosaurid theropod closely allied to Siamosaurus suteethorni.
The exact taxonomic position of S. fusuiensis remains unresolved, although the discovery of potential spinosaurid fossil material in Japan and the naming of the spinosaurid Ichthyovenator (I. laosensis) by Allain et al in 2012 confirms the presence of this enigmatic family of theropod dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous of Asia.
PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus
The PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus (S. fusuiensis), is expected in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the autumn of 2022.
The PNSO Chuanchuan the Lingwulong and six other PNSO prehistoric animal figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. Lingwulong, the first replica of this Chinese diplodocoid dinosaur to be made by a mainstream manufacturer has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur along with replenishment stocks of other PNSO prehistoric animal models in the latest shipment to reach Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse.
PNSO Chuanchuan the Lingwulong
This large model (the figure measures over forty-seven centimetres in length), is a replica of the dicraeosaurid from the Middle Jurassic of China. It is the earliest known diplodocoid and the first of this type of sauropod dinosaur to be reported from Asia.
PNSO Kronosaurus and Biber and Rook (Stegosaurus Pair)
Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been busy unloading and checking the latest PNSO product delivery. The PNSO Jeff the Kronosaurus and the stegosaur pair (Biber and Rook) are now back in stock. These figures would make a welcome addition to the model collection of a prehistoric animal fan.
To join the subscription list for the free Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter: Email Everything Dinosaur.
PNSO Wilson the T. rex and Domingo the Carnotaurus
The shipment also contained Wilson the T. rex dinosaur model (latest version) and the popular PNSO Domingo the Carnotaurus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur welcomed these fine examples of a tyrannosaurid and an abelisaurid back into stock at the company’s warehouse.
Favourites Back into Stock Too
The enormous Nick the Ceratosaurus dinosaur model is back in stock. Brook (the not quite so big but still an impressive 48 cm long), Ophthalmosaurus is also available once more.
The spokesperson confirmed that Everything Dinosaur was committed to stocking older PNSO products as well as the latest additions to the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs model series.
PNSO have announced that they will be adding a replica of the Chinese spinosaurid Sinopliosaurus to their range of mid-sized prehistoric animal models. This new for 2022 dinosaur model is expected in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the autumn (2022).
Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus
Say hello to Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus, a genus of spinosaurid dinosaur with a rather convoluted and complicated taxonomic history. This is the second member of the Spinosauridae family to be added to the company’s mid-sized model range after Essien the Spinosaurus was announced back in quarter 4 of 2020.
The Sinopliosaurus measures an impressive 29.3 cm long and it stands around 8.5 cm high. As with other figures in the PNSO mid-size model range, it has no declared scale (helpful as the size estimates for Sinopliosaurus are speculative).
It has been given a deep, broad tail, in keeping with some of the latest research associated with the Spinosauridae, specifically Spinosaurus aegyptiacus.
Spinosaurid Supplied with Posters and a Full-colour Booklet
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that this exciting, new dinosaur figure would be in stock in the autumn and that it would be supplied with a 64-page, fully illustrated booklet and an animal poster. The model would also have an articulated lower jaw.
Spectacular Spinosaurid – Sinopliosaurus
Known from highly fragmentary fossils, once thought to represent a pliosaur (marine reptile), Sinopliosaurus (S. fusuiensis) was named and scientifically described in 1975 (Hou, Yeh and Zhao), but eventually assigned to the Spinosauridae family when evidence of Asian spinosaurids emerged.
It is the only spinosaur described to date from China. The spectacular Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus will have an articulated lower jaw.
Expected in Stock – Autumn 2022
The PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus dinosaur model is expected to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the autumn (2022).
Why does a spinosaurid have a name that sounds like Pliosaurus – a genus of marine reptile? The taxonomic history of this theropod is both convoluted and complicated. It involves Early Jurassic fossils, Sir Richard Owen and his mistakes, Early Cretaceous fossil material, excavations in Thailand and Laos plus a lot of confusion. We will post up an explanation on Wednesday 17th August (2022), that hopefully, sheds some light on all this.
To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Age of Dinosaurs (PNSO).
The PNSO Chuanchuan the Lingwulong dinosaur model is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The latest PNSO new for 2022 prehistoric animal model has arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse. Team members at the UK-based mail order company have been busy contacting all those customers who requested that they be alerted when this new Jurassic sauropod figure arrived.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur reported that the cartons containing the PNSO Lingwulong would be checked over before all the boxes were put on pallets once again and stored in the PNSO designated area of the company’s warehouse.
The picture (above) shows some cartons in one of the packing rooms having been opened and the contents checked over.
Model Measurements
The Lingwulong model is quite large, it measures around 47.5 cm in length and stands approximately 13.5 cm tall.
To view the PNSO Chuanchuan the Lingwulong dinosaur model and the rest of the figures in the extensive PNSO prehistoric animal model range, take a look at the PNSO section of Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: PNSO Lingwulong and Other Jurassic Dinosaur Models.