All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
5 05, 2017

Whipping Up Interest in Whiplash Dinosaurs

By |2023-07-22T15:47:00+01:00May 5th, 2017|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

New Species of Diplodocid Dinosaur – Galeamopus pabsti

Writing in the academic journal “Peer J”, palaeontologists Emanuel Tschopp and Octávio Mateus (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), have identified a new species of diplodocid dinosaur within the Galeamopus genus.  The dinosaur has been named Galeamopus pabsti. The fossils, which come from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, specifically the Howe-Scott Quarry in the northern Bighorn Basin in Wyoming, (USA), further demonstrate the diversity of sauropods associated with the Late Jurassic fauna of western North America.

A New Species of Diplodocid Dinosaur

Galeamopus pabsti illustrated.

A life reconstruction of G. pabsti.

Picture credit: Davide Bonadonna with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

The Galeamopus Genus

Excavation began in 1995, by a Swiss field team led by palaeontologists Dr Hans-Jakob ‘Kirby’ Siber and Dr Ben Pabst (The Dinosaur Museum (Sauriermuseum) in Aathal, Switzerland).  The trivial name, honours Dr Pabst in recognition of his contribution to dinosaur fossil preparation and exhibition mounting.

This is the second member of the Galeamopus genus to be identified, the first species G. hayi, was erected in 2015, when Emanuel Tschopp and Octávio Mateus, along with colleagues from Oxford University and the Raymond M. Alf, Museum of Palaeontology, (Claremont, California, USA), published a paper that resurrected the genus Brontosaurus following an extensive review of the Diplodocidae.

For an article on the 2015 paper: The Return of Brontosaurus.

Nearly Complete Fossil Specimen Just Missing the Tail

Importantly, much of the skull, although broken apart, was collected along with around the majority of the anterior portion of the skeleton.  The presence of fossilised wood and freshwater bivalves indicated that this individual had come to rest in a stream channel.  The skull has helped to assign a new species within the Galeamopus genus and the robust limb bones, such as the very sturdy upper arm bone (humerus), helps to distinguish the Galeamopus genus from the more gracile and slender Diplodocus.

Dr Emanuel Tschopp, who holds a number of academic posts including a position at the University of Turin, commented that the bones represent a young adult and that this dinosaur could have reached lengths in excess of twenty-seven metres.  Bite marks on the ribs and shed theropod teeth found in association with the bones suggest that the dinosaur’s carcase was scavenged before it was finally buried.

A Late Jurassic Scene – Galeamopus pabsti Scavenged by Theropods

Scavenging the carcase of Galeamopus.

The carcase of Galeamopus is scavenged by an Allosaurus whilst two smaller Ceratosaurus approach.

Picture credit: Davide Bonadonna

Galeamopus pabsti

Dr Tschopp stated:

“Diplodocids are among the best-known sauropod dinosaurs.  Numerous specimens of currently fifteen accepted species belonging to ten genera have been reported from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of North and South America, Europe, and Africa.  However, the highest diversity is known from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the western United States, a recent review [the 2015 paper] recognised twelve valid, named species, and possibly three additional, yet unnamed ones.”

A View of the Reconstructed Skull of Galeamopus pabsti

Diplodocid skull (G. pabsti).

A right lateral view of the reconstructed skull of G. pabsti.

Picture credit: Emanuel Tschopp and Octávio Mateus

A Long Tail?

Although, the tail bones are missing, the scientists are confident that like all the other diplodocids, Galeamopus pabsti had a long tail, which in this case, represents more than half of the animal’s total body length.  This long whip-like tail may have been used to help herd members keep in contact with each other or perhaps it had a role in defence.  If attacked these dinosaurs might have lashed out with their tails, or perhaps moved them so quickly that they would have made a sonic boom (breaking the sound barrier).

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

4 05, 2017

JurassicCollectables Reviews the Papo Acrocanthosaurus

By |2023-07-22T15:37:12+01:00May 4th, 2017|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Papo Acrocanthosaurus Video Review

When the new for 2017 Papo prehistoric animal models were first announced, great excitement was generated around the introduction of a large Papo Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model.  Dinosaur fans and model collectors who have been lucky enough to pick up this model already, have raved about its quality.  Now viewers of the very informative JurassicCollectables YouTube channel can see what all the fuss was about, as a video review of this dinosaur replica has been posted up by JurassicCollectables.

The JurassicCollectables Video Review of the New for 2017 Papo Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaur Model

Video credit: JurassicCollectables

The Papo model range continues to go from strength to strength and the JurassicCollectables video shows the quality of the paintwork and attention to detail on this model.  In this short video, which is just a fraction under five minutes in length, the narrator talks us through the features that have made this particular Papo model a “must have”.

Praise for the Camera Work in the Papo Acrocanthosaurus Video

The camera work should be praised as this video provides some excellent close-up views of this Acrocanthosaurus, including the superb detail that can be found on the interior of the mouth, which as the narrator comments, has been lovingly sculpted.  Even the side of the jaw shows attention to detail with scales carefully depicted.

The Papo Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaur Model

Papo Acrocanthosaurus

The Papo Acrocanthosaurus.

The Papo Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaur Model

In the video, the narrator comments on the excellent colour tones and skin texture seen in this Papo model.  The dynamic pose is discussed and this is compared to the Papo standing Tyrannosaurus rex replica, which also provides a good size comparison.  The wash on the feet and hands is noted, as is the care and attention to detail when it came to painting individual scales along the flanks.  As well as a regular appearance by “off-colour Alan”, an impression of size is given when the Papo Acrocanthosaurus is compared with the 2016 Papo Kaprosuchus prehistoric crocodile.  Just like the Papo Kaprosuchus, the Papo Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model also has an articulated jaw.

The JurassicCollectables YouTube channel has amassed over 54,000 subscribers and is home to some 700 dinosaur and prehistoric animal inspired videos.

Everything Dinosaur recommends dinosaur and model fans to visit JurassicCollectables on YouTube and to subscribe: JurassicCollectables on YouTube.

Acrocanthosaurus atokensis

Named and described in 1950, Acrocanthosaurus (A. atokensis) is regarded as one of the largest theropod dinosaurs known from the Aptian and early Albian faunal stages of the Cretaceous.  Fossils of this huge meat-eater have been found in Oklahoma, Texas and Maryland (USA).  In addition, other fragmentary fossils and some trace fossils from other U.S. States have been assigned to this genus.

Everything Dinosaur Photographed the Papo Acrocanthosaurus Prior to its Formal Launch

A view of the Papo Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model.

Papo Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Papo Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model and the rest of the excellent Papo “Les Dinosaures” model range: Papo “Les Dinosaures” Model Range.

Our thanks once again to JurassicCollectables for producing such an informative video.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

3 05, 2017

Colourful Triceratops Artwork Spotted at a School

By |2023-07-22T15:24:26+01:00May 3rd, 2017|Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Colourful Triceratops Artwork Spotted at a School

A Terrific Triceratops!

Whilst visiting Thorpe Hesley Primary in south Yorkshire today, one of Everything Dinosaur’s dinosaur experts spotted some very colourful Triceratops artwork.  The very friendly looking horned dinosaur stands guard at one of the school gates and welcomes the children into the school.  Our congratulations to the artist for creating such an attractive piece of dinosaur-themed art.

Triceratops Artwork

Colourful Triceratops Artwork Spotted at the School

Triceratops artwork

A friendly dinosaur is featured in the school artwork. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Thorpe Hesley Primary/Everything Dinosaur

Flowers and Social Insects

The herbivorous Triceratops is standing amongst some flowers whilst a bee buzzes towards the dinosaur.  Social insects such as bees were present in the Cretaceous, the geological time period in which Triceratops lived.  Fossils of insects preserved inside amber (fossilised tree resin), have given scientists lots of information about the type of insects that existed during the time of the dinosaurs.  In addition, palaeontologists also know that flowers existed on our planet long before the large, horned dinosaurs, such as Triceratops (Chasmosaurinae) evolved.

The sight of a friendly dinosaur welcoming the children fits in well with the Year 1 term topic (dinosaurs and fossils).  Everything Dinosaur was visiting the school to deliver a dinosaur and fossil workshop, a provocation, to help kick-start the term topic and to enthuse the pupils and their teachers.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

3 05, 2017

The Last Dinosaur from Africa a New Abelisaurid is Described

By |2024-02-25T08:00:22+00:00May 3rd, 2017|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Chenanisaurus barbaricus – Substantial Abelisaurid from Late Cretaceous Morocco

One of the last types of dinosaur to have existed in north Africa has been described in a new scientific paper published in the journal “Cretaceous Research”.  A fragment of jaw bone (dentary) and isolated teeth discovered in a phosphate mine at Sidi Chennane in the Oulad Abdoun Basin, (Morocco), has enabled scientists to identify a new species of abelisaurid.  The dinosaur, named Chenanisaurus barbaricus may belong to an as-yet undescribed family of Abelisaurs unique to Africa.

An Illustration of the Late Cretaceous Abelisaurid Chenanisaurus barbaricus

Chenanisaurus barbaricus illustration.

An illustration of Chenanisaurus barbaricus.

Picture credit: University of Bath with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

A Blunt Snout with an Unusually Short and Robust Jaw

Analysis of the fragment of dentary, along with the associated teeth, indicates that the jaw of this dinosaur was very short, even for an abelisaurid.  The morphology of the jaw is described as being even more extreme than that seen in other abelisaurids such as Carnotaurus.  Extensive wear on the teeth suggests hypercarnivory (diet consisting of more than 70 percent meat), Chenanisaurus was around 7-8 metres in length and it may have been an apex predator within the Late Cretaceous ecosystem.

A Photograph Showing Two Views of the Jaw Fragment

Jaw fragment fossil C. barbaricus.

Jaw fragment fossil (labial and buccal view).

Picture credit: University of Bath

Marine Deposits from a Phosphate Mine

Lead author of the scientific paper, Dr Nick Longrich (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath), along with colleagues from Morocco, France, and Spain studied the jaw fossil and teeth that had been found in 66-million-year-old strata in a phosphate mine located in northern Morocco.  Dinosaur fossils from the end of the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian faunal stage) are exceptionally rare in north Africa.  Rising sea levels had isolated Africa as the super-continent of Gondwana continued to break up and from about 95 million years onwards, much of the former terrestrial habitat of the Dinosauria in north Africa was lost to the sea.

Commenting on the rarity of the fossil find, Dr Longrich stated:

“This find was unusual because it’s a dinosaur from marine rocks – it’s a bit like hunting for fossil whales, and finding a fossil lion.  It’s an incredibly rare find – almost like winning the lottery.  But the phosphate mines are so rich, it’s like buying a million lottery tickets, so we actually have a chance to find rare dinosaurs like this one.”

Chenanisaurus barbaricus – Confirming a Distinct African Terrestrial Fauna

Not only was Chenanisaurus barbaricus one of the last dinosaurs to roam our planet, its discovery supports the idea of a distinct north African terrestrial fauna towards the end of the Age of Dinosaurs.  During the Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous, horned dinosaurs and hadrosaurids were the most common and specious large, plant-eating dinosaurs in North America and Asia, whereas a different group of dinosaurs dominated terrestrial ecosystems in South America, India and Madagascar (Titanosauriformes and abelisaurids).  In North America and Asia, the dominant, apex predators were Tyrannosaurs.

In 2004, a paper published in the “Journal of African Earth Studies”, provided details of a right hindlimb (femur, tibia and fibula), that had been found in phosphate deposits near the town of Khouribga (central Morocco).  Just like Chenanisaurus, these fossils date from approximately 66 million years ago and were also found in marine rocks.

Team members at Everything Dinosaur are not aware of a new genus having been established as a result of the discovery of the leg bones, but their presence in the rocks does indicate that titanosaurids survived in north Africa until the very end of the Cretaceous.  These fossils along with the Chenanisaurus material suggests the persistence of a classic Gondwanan abelisaurid/titanosaurid fauna in mainland Africa right up to end- Cretaceous extinction event.

Tyrannosaurid versus Abelisaurid Distribution

Abelisaurid versus tyrannosaurid distribution.

Tyrannosaurid versus abelisaurid distribution. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Key

Tyrannosaurids = green

Abelisaurids = brown

The picture above shows a general distribution of apex predatory dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous, with the exception of southern Europe, tyrannosaurids dominated the apex predator positions in Laurasia, whilst the abelisaurids dominated in the regions that made up Gondwana.

Phylogenetic Analysis

Phylogenetic analysis undertaken by the research team suggests that Chenanisaurus may represent a lineage of abelisaurids that is distinct from those previously described from the latest Cretaceous of South America, Indo-Madagascar, and Europe, consistent with the hypothesis that the fragmentation of Gondwana led to the evolution of endemic dinosaur faunas during the Late Cretaceous.

Dr Longrich added:

“We have virtually no dinosaur fossils from this time period in Morocco, it may even be the first dinosaur named from the end-Cretaceous of Africa.  It’s also one of the last dinosaurs in Africa before the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs.  It is an exciting find because it shows just how different the fauna was in the Southern Hemisphere at this time.”

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

2 05, 2017

Basal Brachiosaurids – Vouivria damparisensis

By |2023-07-22T15:06:18+01:00May 2nd, 2017|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

French Revolution for the Brachiosauridae

This week there have been a number of papers published announcing newly described dinosaurs.  In time, we will get around to writing about several of them, but first, let’s take a look at the basal brachiosaurid Vouivria damparisensis, which has been described from fossil material representing a single animal that was first discovered back in 1934.

Earliest Relative of Brachiosaurus from north-eastern France

Vouivria damparisensis (brachiosaurid).

A newly described basal brachiosaurid Vouivria damparisensis.

Picture credit: Imperial College London

Vouivria damparisensis

Writing in the journal “Peer J”, lead author Dr Philip Mannion (Dept. of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College, London) and his co-workers Ronan Allain (Natural History Museum, Paris) and Oliver Moine (Laboratory of Physical Geography, CNRS / University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), propose that these fossils represent the earliest known brachiosaurid, a family of dinosaurs that include such well-known animals as Brachiosaurus and Giraffatitan.  However, despite the high profile (no pun intended), of “arm lizard” in particular, surprisingly, very little is known about the evolution of these sauropods, Vouivria helps to fill in some significant gaps.

A Photograph of a Dorsal Vertebra from Vouivria damparisensis

A back bone of Vouivria.

A dorsal vertebra of Vouivria.

Picture credit: Peer J

The picture above shows a bone from the spine of V. damparisensis.  The bone comes from the front part of the dorsal vertebrae, (A) left lateral view, (B) right lateral view, (C) anterior view; (D) ventral view. Scale bar equals five centimetres.

Middle/Late Oxfordian Sauropod

The Brachiosauridae seem to have had their heyday in the Late Jurassic, Vouivria is important as relatively few sauropods are known from rocks of this age.  Most Sauropod fossils from the Jurassic are associated with rocks that were laid down in the latter stages of this geological period, namely during the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian faunal stages.  Vouivria damparisensis comes from strata that is several million years older, having lived around 160 – 158 million years ago.  In addition, it is known from relatively complete remains.

Contrast this with the UK’s Late Jurassic sauropod fossil material, in particular the likes of Duriatitan (D. humerocristatus), which like Vouivria, has been assigned to the Titanosauriformes, the clade of long-necked dinosaurs to which the Brachiosauridae family belongs.  Duriatitan is known from a single fossil bone (left femur) and this fossil, which comes from Dorset, was found in rocks that are believed to be about four million years younger than the rocks in which Vouivria was discovered.

At an estimated 15 tonnes and some 15 metres in length, Vouivria was a sizeable beast.  It is likely that this dinosaur fed on the upper storeys of pine trees and Araucaria, using its long neck to reach parts of trees that other herbivorous dinosaurs could not reach.

An Illustration of a Typical Brachiosaurid

Brachiosaurus dinosaur model.

A colourful Brachiosaurus dinosaur model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The model featured above is from the: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models.

Revolutionising the Brachiosauridae Family Tree

The researchers were able to conduct an analysis of the Brachiosauridae family tree and an assessment of the evolutionary relationships indicates that by the Early Cretaceous, brachiosaurids were restricted to Africa and the United States.  They were probably extinct in Europe.

Furthermore, the team were able to postulate that fossils that most likely represent brachiosaurids are only known from the USA, Africa and western Europe.  Previously, studies examining the fossils of another long-necked dinosaur, Padillasaurus (P. leivaensis), from Lower Cretaceous rocks of Columbia, had suggested that Padillasaurus was a brachiosaurid.  The detailed description of Vouivria casts doubt on this suggesting that Padillasaurus was not a member of the Brachiosauridae and that as a result brachiosaurids remain unknown from South America.  Padillasaurus is placed within the Somphospondyli, another clade of Titanosauriformes, related to the brachiosaurids, but one with a much more global distribution.

A Modified Map Showing the Original Location of the Fossil Bones at the Dig Site

The layout of the bones of Vouivria damparisensis.

A map showing the position of the bones at the original dig site.

Picture credit: Peer J modified from Dorlodot (1934)

Building upon the original 1934 description (Dorlodot) and the subsequent reassessment of the fossil material Lapparent (1943), before the fossil material was confined to storage, the researchers have provided a valuable insight into the radiation and geographical spread of brachiosaurids.  The current fossil evidence suggests that this type of sauropod spanned the Late Jurassic (Oxfordian) through to the Late Albian/Early Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.  The last of the brachiosaurids lived in what is now known as the United States and it is likely that by the earliest Late Cretaceous (approximately 98 million years ago), the Brachiosauridae were extinct.

A Better Understanding of the Palaeoenvironment

The scientific paper provides a better understanding of how the remains of the dinosaur were preserved.  During this period of Earth’s history, much of what we now know as western Europe consisted of a series of low-lying tropical islands.  The earlier studies had concluded that as the rocks in which this dinosaur was found originally come from a coastal environment, then the corpse of Vouivria was probably washed out to sea.  More detailed analysis of the surround rocks and sediments tell a different story.  The researchers conclude that Vouivria died in a lagoon, a habitat that existed during a brief decline in sea levels.  When sea levels rose again, the carcase was buried.

Commenting on the importance of these fossils, lead author of the study Dr Philip Mannion (Imperial College London), stated:

“We don’t know what this creature died from, but millions of years later it is providing important evidence to help us understand in more detail the evolution of brachiosaurid sauropods and a much bigger group of dinosaurs that they belonged to, called Titanosauriformes.”

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

1 05, 2017

Everything Dinosaur to Stock Mojo Models

By |2023-07-22T14:47:40+01:00May 1st, 2017|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur Adds Mojo Models

Everything Dinosaur is to add Mojo “Prehistoric and Extinct” models to the company’s already extensive product range.  Mojo Fun models are coming into stock.  The Mojo models are scheduled to go live on the Everything Dinosaur website in the middle of May, around week commencing 15th May.  JurassicCollectables exclusively revealed that Mojo models were coming to Everything Dinosaur in a recent unboxing video posted up on their YouTube channel.

Unboxing 2017 Prehistoric Animal Models Including Some Mojo Models

Video credit: JurassicCollectables

In this short, ten-minute video, the narrator discusses the contents of the latest parcel of prehistoric animals to be sent from Everything Dinosaur to JurassicCollectables – new for 2017 Papo models, the first batch of the 2017 CollectA replicas and in a scoop for this excellent YouTube channel, JurassicCollectables was able to reveal that the Mojo range had been added to Everything Dinosaur’s product portfolio.  The Mojo dinosaur models include Triceratops, Parasaurolophus, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurus and a new for 2017 Allosaurus.

Mojo Models Coming to Everything Dinosaur

Mojo dinosaur and prehistoric animal models.

Mojo “Prehistoric and Extinct” model range.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Mojo Fun Models

Formed in 2009, Mojo has created an exciting range of animal and fantasy figures.  In 2016, many of their existing models were given makeovers and new paint schemes ready for a re-launch this year.  In addition, a number of new sculpts and prototypes were prepared in order to expand the company’s product range.  Everything Dinosaur will be bringing into stock all thirty-one of the models in Mojo’s “Prehistoric and Extinct” animal model range, including the quite rare and hard to get prehistoric mammals such as the excellent Deinotherium model seen in the JurassicCollectables unboxing video.

In addition, new for 2017 Mojo dinosaurs will be available from Everything Dinosaur, including the wonderful Mojo Tyrannosaurus rex hunting (red) replica which led the narrator in the JurassicCollectables video to exclaim:

“The detail on this looks absolutely stunning” and “This looks amazing!”

The New for 2017 Mojo Hunting Tyrannosaurus rex (red colour)

Mojo hunting Tyrannosaurus rex.

Mojo hunting T. rex dinosaur model.

Two versions of the large, hunting T. rex model will be available from Everything Dinosaur, the Mojo hunting T. rex (red) see picture above and JurassicCollectables video, plus a green version of this dinosaur model.  In total, there will be six new Tyrannosaurus rex models, including a juvenile replica and a 1:40 scale T. rex.

Everything Dinosaur Comments

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We have been most impressed by the way that the Mojo range has developed and we are delighted to be able to add these new replicas to our inventory.  In particular, it is great to see some of the more unusual prehistoric and extinct creatures featured.  For example, we will be adding the re-painted Hyaenodon gigas plus the entelodont Daeodon and the exquisite Brontotherium model to our product range.”

The JurassicCollectables unboxing video certainly highlights the quality of the prehistoric animals currently available.  We look forward to viewing individual model reviews on the YouTube channel.

The YouTube channel of JurassicCollectables provides an extensive library of informative prehistoric animal model reviews.  If you have not already subscribed to this extremely professional channel then we at Everything Dinosaur, encourage you to do so.

Visit the JurassicCollectables YouTube channel: View JurassicCollectables on YouTube and Subscribe.

To visit the Everything Dinosaur models section of the website: Mojo Fun Prehistoric and Extinct Animal Models.

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