All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
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18 03, 2024

New Haolonggood Dinosaur Models in Stock

By | March 18th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

Six new for 2024, Haolonggood dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Four horned dinosaurs and a pair of lambeosaurines. Our warehouse received a shipment of Haolonggood figures. The pair of Tlatolophus galorum models have arrived along with the pair of Sinoceratops figures. In addition, the two Haolonggood Kosmoceratops (Cai Fu and Cai Qing) are also available.

Haolonggood dinosaur models.
New for 2024 Haolonggood dinosaur models. Tlatolophus galorum and the horned dinosaurs Sinoceratops and Kosmoceratops. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture above shows the Tlatolophus pair (top) and the Sinoceratops (middle). The two Kosmoceratops models, the red and grey models are shown (bottom).

To view the range of Haolonggood dinosaur models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

Haolonggood Dinosaur Models

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that it was wonderful to have these six new dinosaur models in stock.

The spokesperson added:

“Many factories concentrate on producing replicas of theropod dinosaurs. Collectors like a bit of variety and it great to see ornithischian dinosaurs being highlighted by Haolonggood. These figures may all represent Cretaceous dinosaurs, but they are geographically dispersed. Sinoceratops is known from China, whilst Tlatolophus fossils were found in Mexico. Kosmoceratops fossil material comes from the western United States.”

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

16 03, 2024

PNSO, Rebor and Schleich Models in New Company Newsletter

By | March 16th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Newsletters, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

New PNSO dinosaur models along with two new Rebor dire wolf figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter. Joining these prehistoric animal models are two new for 2024, Schleich dinosaurs. The newsletter features, Aymen the Spinosaurus and Zabad the Edmontosaurus. In addition, the PNSO Alamosaurus model (Samuel) is highlighted.

Everything Dinosaur March newsletter features the PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus model.
The Everything Dinosaur March newsletter features the PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Aymen the Spinosaurus (PNSO)

Making the newsletter headlines is the new PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus figure. Zabad the Edmontosaurus was also in the latest PNSO delivery. This Edmontosaurus model has been praised as it has an accurate manus (hand) complete with a hoof-like toe. Fresh stock of the popular PNSO Alamosaurus figure has also arrived. Both models are included in the newsletter promotion.

Two PNSO models feature in the newsletter.
The beautiful Zabad the Edmontosaurus is included in the latest newsletter along with the impressive and extremely large Samuel the Alamosaurus figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the wide range of PNSO prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

Rebor Dire Wolf Figures

The latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter also includes details on the two Rebor dire wolf figures “Havallagata” and “Low Roar”. These magnificent models of a Pleistocene predator have just arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse.

To request to subscribe to our newsletter, simply email Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Everything Dinosaur newsletter features Rebor dire wolf figures.
Two, recently introduced Rebor dire wolf figures feature. The “Havallagata” version (left) and the Rebor dire wolf “Low Roar” (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To see the Rebor models available from Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Models and Figures.

Schleich Dinosaurs in the Everything Dinosaur Newsletter

The two most colourful figures to feature in the Everything Dinosaur newsletter are the two Schleich figures. Both the red Brachiosaurus and the new for 2024 Schleich Stegosaurus have been painted in attractive, vibrant colours.

To view the range of Schleich dinosaurs available from Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Dinosaur Models.

Schleich models feature in company newsletter.
The Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter includes information on the two recently arrived Schleich dinosaur models (Red Brachiosaurus and the new for 2024 Schleich Stegosaurus model). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson welcomed the arrival of these new figures and commented:

“Our company newsletter helps to keep customers informed about new prehistoric animal models coming into stock.”

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

15 03, 2024

Were Eurypterids More Closely Related to Horseshoe Crabs or Scorpions?

By | March 15th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we receive quite a lot of emails from customers and fans of prehistoric animals. Many of these emails are requests asking for more information about prehistoric animal figures. However, customers also contact us wanting help with answering a specific query about extinct creatures and life in the past. For example, we were recently asked what animals alive today are the closest relative of the eurypterids?

A splendid pair of sea scorpion fossils on display. Museum fossil on display.
A pair of eurypterid fossil specimens on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Answering a Question About Eurypterids

Eurypterids were members of the Arthropoda phylum. Specifically, they are part of the Subphylum Chelicerata (pronounced kel-iss-ser-rat-ah), which also contains the spiders, mites, scorpions and horseshoe crabs. These animals have a pair of jointed appendages that are located in front of their mouths (chelicerae – kel-iss-ser-ray). For most, they are modest feeding appendages such as seen in horseshoe crabs. In the spiders these chelicerae form venom injecting fangs. In some eurypterids such as the Pterygotidae, these appendages evolved into giant pincers designed for grabbing prey.

A sea scorpion claw
A stunning fossil of a sea scorpion (eurypterid) claw housed at the National Museum Cardiff (Wales) photographed in 2019 when team members at Everything Dinosaur visited. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Scorpiones or Xiphosurans?

Scientists remain uncertain as to whether extant scorpions or xiphosurans such as the horseshoe crab are the closest living relatives to the extinct eurypterids. Scorpions share a similar body plan, although scorpions are entirely terrestrial. Xiphosurans share the aquatic habit and also have an anatomy that is similar to the “sea scorpions” in some respects. Eurypterid feeding was probably more similar to that of xiphosurans.

The question of phylogeny remains unresolved. The lack of soft tissue preservation in “sea scorpions” and the flattened nature of most eurypterid fossils have hampered research. The absence of a clear eurypterid analogue from living chelicerates may indicate that the eurypterids occupied an ecological niche that was intermediate between xiphosurans and the Order Scorpiones.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

11 03, 2024

Spinosaurus Research – Inferring the Lifestyle of a Huge Theropod Dinosaur

By | March 11th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Recently, Everything Dinosaur team members wrote a blog post summarising the findings of the latest scientific paper on Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. This paper (Myhrvold et al), outlined some drawbacks in using bone density analysis to infer an extinct animal’s habits and lifestyle. They outlined some errors and omissions in a previous study that concluded Spinosaurus and Baryonyx walkeri, were capable of submerging and hunting underwater.

CollectA Deluxe Spinosaurus
The CollectA Deluxe Spinosaurus dinosaur model. A recently introduced (2022) updated replica of the giant, North African theropod Spinosaurus. This paper (Fabbri et al), postulated that dense bones associated with this dinosaur were adaptations to help this animal dive and to stay underwater.

An Extensively Studied Theropod

Named and described in 1915 (Stromer), Spinosaurus aegyptiacus has been the subject of intense research over the last decade. It was perhaps the longest theropod dinosaur of all. Some palaeontologists have estimated that S. aegyptiacus was up to fifteen metres long. Its mode of hunting and behaviour has come under detailed scrutiny since a detailed description, based on new fossil material was published in 2014.

This paper proposed that Spinosaurus was a semi-aquatic, obligate theropod.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s 2014 blog post: Spinosaurus – Four Legs are Better than Two.

Spinosaurus swimming.
Very much at home in the water according to the 2014 study. Picture credit: Davide Bonadonna, Nizar Ibrahim, Simone Maganuco.

A Shoreline Stalker or an Underwater Predator?

Palaeontologists continued to debate whether Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and its near relatives were underwater predators, or shoreline stalkers. The 2014 research paper proposed that although Spinosaurus was a capable swimmer it was not a fully aquatic, underwater predator.

However, in 2020 a paper published in the journal Nature described Spinosaurus caudal vertebrae. These bones suggested that S. aegyptiacus had a broad tail. This could be used to propel itself through the water.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s 2020 post: Spinosaurus The River Monster.

Papo Limited Edition Spinosaurus Model. A Papo model retirement (2023).
The Papo Limited-edition Spinosaurus dinosaur model (2019). This model reflected the broad tail that was to be revealed in a forthcoming scientific paper. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows the Papo limited-edition Spinosaurus aegyptiacus figure. This model depicts Spinosaurus as a quadruped and emphasises the broad, deep tail.

To view the range of Papo figures in stock: Papo Prehistoric Animal Figures.

However, in 2022 a scientific paper was published in the journal “eLife” that challenged the aquatic lifestyle. Palaeontologists led by scientists from the University of Chicago argued that Spinosaurus and Baryonyx walkeri would have been unstable when surface swimming. They also concluded that these dinosaurs would be too buoyant to dive and remain fully submerged.

Everything Dinosaur’s blog post covering this research: Spinosaurus Not an Aquatic Dinosaur.

Dense Bones Acting Like Ballast

Also, in 2022 another assessment using a statistical analysis of bone density proposed that Spinosaurus could dive and stay submerged (Fabbri et al). The heavy bones acted like ballast. This anatomical adaptation is seen in extant birds such as penguins and also in some mammals like manatees. These researchers also argued that some other spinosaurids, such as Suchomimus lacked these dense bones and were probably waders.

The blog post covering this research: Bone Density Study Proposes Some Spinosaurids were Fully Aquatic.

The new study (Myhrvold et al), criticised the complex statistical methodology (pFDA) used in the bone density study. The team concluded that the study undertaken by Fabbri et al had measurement errors and was flawed. It was not possible to infer an aquatic habit for spinosaurids based on this data.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article on the research by Myhrvold et al: Back to the Shore for Spinosaurus.

The researchers demonstrated that it is important to use consistent and objective criteria to decide which species to include and exclude, as well as how to classify their behaviour. The findings also demonstrate the importance of taking measurement errors and individual variations into account when assessing bone density.

The debate over the lifestyle and habits of spinosaurids is likely to continue. We look forward to the next instalment in this long-running debate.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

10 03, 2024

A New Lower Permian Amphibian is Scientifically Described

By | March 10th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Researchers have scientifically described a new taxon of amphibian from the Lower Permian of Germany. The animal has been named Bromerpeton subcolossus. Researchers from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin (Germany) in collaboration with colleagues from the United States suggest that this small tetrapod probably spent much of its time underground.

Holotype of Bromerpeton subcolossus (specimen number MNG 16545).
A prepared block revealing the Bromerpeton subcolossus holotype (specimen number MNG 16545). Picture credit: Carola Radke.

Bromerpeton subcolossus

A block of undescribed fossils was carefully cleaned and prepared at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh (USA). When these fossils were examined in detail it was discovered that they represented a new taxon. Bromerpeton has been classified as a member of the Recumbirostra clade.

The fossil material comes from the famous “Bromacker” location in Thuringia, central Germany. The siltstones and sandstones preserve both trace and body fossils of early tetrapods. More than a dozen new species have been named and described. This fossil site was formed by the deposition of sediments in a high plateau environment. Most Permian vertebrate fossil sites represent lowland ecosystems close to bodies of water.

Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an exceptionally well-preserved right forelimb with five fingers. This is an unusual characteristic within the Recumbirostra clade. Most have only three or four digits on the manus.

Lead author of the paper, Dr Mark MacDougall (Museum für Naturkunde – Berlin), explained that Bromerpeton subcolossus was less than fifteen centimetres in length. Its skull was just two centimetres long.

Fossorial (Burrowing) Adaptations

Despite being diminutive, Bromerpeton possessed sturdy limbs with a broad manus (hand) and pointed claws. The researchers postulate that Bromerpeton subcolossus dug burrows and spent much of its time underground. The fossil material is estimated to be around 290 million years old (Lower Permian).

Dr Mark MacDougall remarked:

“Bromerpeton may be small, but it provides a lot of new information about the evolution and ecology of early tetrapods and in particular the Recumbirostra, a group that has received a lot of attention in recent years. Our discovery also contributes to understanding the diversity of the Lower Permian Bromacker ecosystem.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin) in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new recumbirostran ‘microsaur’ from the lower Permian Bromacker locality, Thuringia, Germany, and its fossorial adaptations” by Mark MacDougall, Andréas Jannel, Amy Henrici, David S Berman, Stuart S. Sumida, Thomas Martens, Nadia Fröbisch and Jörg Fröbisch published in Scientific Reports.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

9 03, 2024

New Research Identifies Earth’s Oldest Forest in Devon Cliffs

By | March 9th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Evidence of a Devonian fossil forest has been found in the high sandstone cliffs located near Minehead in Devon. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Cardiff have discovered the oldest fossilised trees ever found in the UK. The fossil remains of the trees, known as Calamophyton represent the oldest known fossil forest on Earth.

Fossilised tree stumps near the town of Gilboa (New York, USA) and a quarry at nearby Cairo, New York are thought to be 380 and 385 million years old respectively. The Gilboa site is dominated by remains of Wattieza trees. These trees are related to the Calamophyton trees identified at the Devon site. They are both members of the Pseudosporochnales Order and are distantly related to modern ferns.

Devonian strata in the cliffs near Minehead.
The cliffs close to the Butlin’s holiday camp near Minehead (Devon) where the fossils were found. Picture credit: Neil Davies (University of Cambridge).

Devonian Fossil Forest

The Devonian fossil forest is thought to be around four million years older than the tree fossils discovered in New York. The forest is approximately 390 million years old (Eifelian faunal stage of the Middle Devonian).

Devon fossil forest details of a fallen tree trunk.
Detail of a fallen tree truck. Picture credit: Chris Berry (University of Cardiff).

The fossils were found near the town of Minehead. The site is located on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, near a Butlin’s holiday camp. The fossilised trees, known as Calamophyton, at first glance resemble palm trees, but they are not related to modern angiosperms. Rather than solid wood, their trunks were thin and hollow in the centre. They also lacked leaves, and their branches were covered in hundreds of twig-like structures.

Devon fossil forest life reconstruction (Calamophyton).
Devon fossil forest life reconstruction showing Calamophyton. Picture credit: Peter Giesen/Chris Berry.

Evidence of Arthropods Found

The trees were much shorter than extant trees. The largest specimens were between two and four metres high. As the trees grew, they shed their branches. The floor of the forest was covered in a dense mat of decaying vegetation. This was home to an array of invertebrates and arthropod tracks have been discovered at this site.

Arthropod tracks recorded at the Devon fossil forest site.
Arthropod tracks recorded at the Devon fossil forest site. Picture credit: Neil Davies (University of Cambridge).

A Devonian Ecosystem

It had been thought that these sandstone cliffs were largely devoid of fossils. This remarkable discovery demonstrates how early trees helped to stabilise riverbanks and coastlines hundreds of millions of years ago. It was during the Devonian that the first extensive terrestrial forests formed.

The Devonian lasted between 419 million and 359 million years ago. During this geological period the first complex terrestrial ecosystems evolved. By the end of the Devonian, the first seed-bearing plants (pteridosperms) appeared and the earliest land animals, mostly arthropods, were well-established.

Small tree stumps.
A photograph showing an area of small tree stumps. Picture credit: Neil Davies (University of Cambridge).

Fundamentally Changing Life on Earth

Commenting on the significance of the fossil forest discovery, one of the paper’s co-authors, Professor Neil Davies (Cambridge University), stated:

“The Devonian period fundamentally changed life on Earth. It also changed how water and land interacted with each other, since trees and other plants helped stabilise sediment through their root systems, but little is known about the very earliest forests.”

The Devonian fossil forest identified by the researchers was found in the Hangman Sandstone Formation, along the north Devon and west Somerset coasts. During the Devonian period, this region was not attached to the rest of England, but instead lay further south, connected to parts of Germany and Belgium, where similar Devonian fossils have been found.

Ripple marks on the forest floor.
Ripple marks on the forest floor. Picture credit: Neil Davies (University of Cambridge).

Studying the Ecology of the Earliest Forests on Earth

Co-author Dr Christopher Berry (Cardiff University) commented:

“When I first saw pictures of the tree trunks I immediately knew what they were, based on 30 years of studying this type of tree worldwide. It was amazing to see them so near to home. But the most revealing insight comes from seeing, for the first time, these trees in the positions where they grew. It is our first opportunity to look directly at the ecology of this earliest type of forest, to interpret the environment in which Calamophyton trees were growing, and to evaluate their impact on the sedimentary system.”

During the Devonian, this location was a semi-arid plain, criss-crossed by small river channels spilling out from mountains to the northwest. The fieldwork was undertaken along the highest sea-cliffs in England, some of which are only accessible by boat. The sandstone formation is in fact rich with plant fossil material. The researchers identified fossilised plants and plant debris, fossilised tree logs, traces of roots and sedimentary structures, preserved within the sandstone.

Tree stump in cross-section
Cross section of tree stump. Picture credit: Neil Davies (University of Cambridge).

A Weird Forest

Professor Davies explained:

“This was a pretty weird forest – not like any forest you would see today. There wasn’t any undergrowth to speak of and grass hadn’t yet appeared, but there were lots of twigs dropped by these densely-packed trees, which had a big effect on the landscape.”

Small Devonian plant twigs.
Small plant twigs. Picture credit: Chris Berry (University of Cardiff).

This was the first time in the history of our planet that large plants could grow together on land. The sheer abundance of debris shed by the Calamophyton trees built up within layers of sediment. The sediment affected the way that the rivers flowed across the landscape, the first time that the course of rivers could be affected in this way.

Professor Davies added:

“The evidence contained in these fossils preserves a key stage in Earth’s development, when rivers started to operate in a fundamentally different way than they had before, becoming the great erosive force they are today. People sometimes think that British rocks have been looked at enough, but this shows that revisiting them can yield important new discoveries.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Cambridge in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Earth’s earliest forest: fossilized trees and vegetation-induced sedimentary structures from the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) Hangman Sandstone Formation, Somerset and Devon, SW England” by Neil S. Davies, William J. McMahon and Christopher M. Berry published in Journal of the Geological Society.

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

8 03, 2024

New Research Suggests its Back to the Shore for Spinosaurus

By | March 8th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

The spinosaurids represent an extremely unusual type of theropod. Their mode of hunting and lifestyle remains controversial. Over recent years more fossil material associated with perhaps the most derived spinosaurid Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, has been studied. In addition, new lines of enquiry have been explored in a bid to better understand these bizarre carnivorous dinosaurs. Some scientists have argued that Spinosaurus was a fully aquatic, underwater pursuit predator. Others have argued that this dinosaur stayed in the shallows or waded into the water to catch fish in a similar manner to extant bears.

Spinosaurus underwater.
Spinosaurus, the longest predatory dinosaur known, is opening its elongate jaws, studded with conical teeth, to catch a sawskate. Contrary to previous suggestions, this animal was not a heron-like wader – it was a “river monster”, actively pursuing prey in a vast river system located in modern-day North Africa. Dense bones in the skeleton of Spinosaurus strongly suggest it spent a substantial amount of time submerged in the water. However, newly published research (Myhrvold et al) has challenged this view of Spinosaurus. Picture credit: Davide Bonadonna.

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus Bone Density Study

Numerous lines of enquiry have been explored in a bid to resolve these questions. A recently published study (Fabbri et al) sought to resolve this matter. They applied a statistical method and explored spinosaurid bone density. Animals like manatees have especially dense bones that enable them to stay submerged. These researchers examined spinosaurid bone density in comparison to the bone densities of extant animals which are adapted to an aquatic life. They concluded that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx (B. walkeri) were capable of submerging themselves underwater to hunt.

However, newly published research has challenged these conclusions. Scientists from the University of Chicago along with collaborators from the Royal Tyrrell Museum (Canada) and other co-authors have outlined some of the pitfalls in using statistical measurements of bone density to infer a lifestyle. The team identified inconsistencies and they proposed that it was difficult to draw conclusions when taxa are represented by limited data.

PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus.
Striding across the landscape but with water close by, the new for 2024 PNSO Aymen the Spinosaurus dinosaur model. Scientists remain uncertain as to whether Spinosaurus was able to fully submerge and pursue prey.

The picture above shows the recently introduced PNSO Spinosaurus model. The replica contains a number of anatomical traits identified in contemporary scientific papers. For example, the PNSO Spinosaurus has a broad tail. However, it is depicted as a terrestrial, bipedal animal and not a semi-aquatic quadruped.

To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animals available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Could Some Spinosaurs Dive?

Writing in the open-access journal “PLOS One” the scientists argue that the previous research was not robust enough to conclude that S. aegyptiacus and Baryonyx walkeri were fully submerged “subaqueous foragers.” Their findings not only invalidate the conclusions of the earlier bone density analysis, but also have important implications for future quantitative uses of bone compactness and discriminant analysis in palaeontology.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the earlier research: Bone Density Study Indicates that Some Spinosaurids were Semi-aquatic.

The dense bones found in the relatively short hindlimbs, may have been an adaptation to support the animal’s great weight as it moved on land. The research team, which included Paul Sereno (University of Chicago), propose that Spinosaurus aegyptiacus probably could not dive. Instead, it may have waded in water around two metres deep, without floating. This permitted it to ambush fish with its huge claws and elongated jaws.

The scientific paper: “Diving dinosaurs? Caveats on the use of bone compactness and pFDA for inferring lifestyle” by Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephanie L. Baumgart, Daniel Vidal, Frank E. Fish, Donald M. Henderson, Evan T. Saitta and Paul C. Sereno published in PLOS One.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 03, 2024

New Rebor Dire Wolf Models in Stock

By | March 7th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

The two, new for 2024 Rebor dire wolf models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The Rebor dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) low roar plain deluxe pack has arrived along with the grey coloured “Havallagata” variant.

Rebor dire wolf models.
The grey figure (Havallagata) can represent a 1:11 scale dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) or a 1:18 fantasy wolf. It is pictured next to the brown coloured Rebor dire wolf (low roar). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Rebor Dire Wolf Models

Each fabulous figure measures a little over eighteen centimetres in length. The shoulder height is around nine centimetres. The Rebor dire wolf figures are supplied with an Everything Dinosaur dire wolf fact sheet. The fact sheet highlights the taxonomy of these enigmatic Pleistocene carnivores. They are not closely related to the extant grey wolf (Canis lupus).

A scientific paper published in 2021 (Perri et al) demonstrated that the genome of the dire wolf was markedly different from the genome of extant canids. It is postulated that the dire wolf evolved in the Americas isolated from other canids. The lineage that led to the dire wolf diverged from the common ancestor of wolves and coyotes more than 5.5 million years ago.

Rebor Low Roar (dire wolf) model.
The fabulous Rebor dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) low roar deluxe pack. It is supplied with three interchangeable heads. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

To view the range of Rebor models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Figures and Models.

Supplied with Three Interchangeable Heads

The Rebor Dire Wolf models are supplied with three interchangeable heads. The models can be displayed with mouth closed, showing their teeth or with the mouth fully open.

Rebor dire wolf box contents.
The Rebor dire wolf box contents. Each 1:11 scale figure is supplied with three interchangeable heads. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that the dire wolf fact sheet included a scale drawing of this prehistoric animal.

Rebor dire wolf (Havallagata).
The Rebor dire wolf/fantasy figure with its product packaging. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

6 03, 2024

New PNSO Dinosaur Models in Stock

By | March 6th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|2 Comments

Two new for 2024 PNSO dinosaur models have arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse. Aymen the Spinosaurus and Zabad the Edmontosaurus models are now in stock. Team members have been busy contacting all those customers who asked to be informed about the figures.

PNSO dinosaur models (Spinosaurus and Edmontosaurus)
The latest PNSO model shipment is unloaded at Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse. The delivery contained the new for 2024 Zabad the Edmontosaurus and Aymen the Spinosaurus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Dinosaur Models – Edmontosaurus and Spinosaurus

The PNSO Edmontosaurus sports a colourful crest and has been beautifully painted. Edmontosaurus species were generally larger than previously perceived. For example, fully-grown Edmontosaurus annectens were longer than an adult Tyrannosaurus rex. The PNSO Edmontosaurus figure is a somewhat more modest size. However, it does measure over thirty-two centimetres long.

The Aymen the Spinosaurus figure is even larger. It measures an impressive thirty-two and half centimetres and it stands fourteen centimetres high. It has a declared scale of 1:35.

To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.

PNSO dinosaur models (Aymen and Zabad).
Two new for 2024 PNSO dinosaur models, Zabad the Edmontosaurus (top) and Aymen the new Spinosaurus (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Two Superb Cretaceous Dinosaur Figures

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the two new PNSO dinosaur models and stated:

“These two dinosaur models are great! We know that model collectors have been keen to get their hands on these two superb Cretaceous dinosaur figures.”

Take a look at the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

5 03, 2024

Khinjaria acuta A Bizarre New Mosasaur from Morocco

By | March 5th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A new mosasaur taxon from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco has been scientifically described. Khinjaria acuta was as long as an Orca (Orcinus orca). It had a robust skull, strong jaws and dagger-like teeth. The researchers contrast today’s marine ecosystems with few apex predators, with the Late Cretaceous marine environment. Writing in the journal “Cretaceous Research” the researchers portray an ancient marine ecosystem teeming with predators.

Khinjaria acuta life reconstruction.
A Khinjaria acuta life reconstruction. Picture credit: Andrey Atuchin.

Khinjaria acuta

The study is based on a skull and parts of the postcranial skeleton collected from a phosphate mine southeast of Casablanca (Morocco). Researchers from the University of Bath, the Marrakech Museum of Natural History, the Museum National d’ Histoire Naturelle (NMNH) in Paris (France), Southern Methodist University in Texas (USA), and the University of the Basque Country (Bilbao) were involved.

Measuring around eight metres in length, Khinjaria used its long, dagger-like teeth to seize prey. It was part of an extraordinarily diverse fauna of predators that inhabited the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco during the Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous.

Khinjaria acuta skull (top) with explanatory line drawing (bottom).
A photograph of the skull material (top) with a line drawing of the skull fossil (bottom). Picture credit: University of Bath.

The Sheer Diversity of Top Predators in the Marine Ecosystem

One of the authors of the scientific paper, Dr Nick Longrich (University of Bath), stated:

“What’s remarkable here is the sheer diversity of top predators. We have multiple species growing larger than a great white shark, and they’re top predators, but they all have different teeth, suggesting they’re hunting in different ways.”

The reconstructed skull of Khinjaria acuta shown in lateral view.
The reconstructed skull of Khinjaria acuta shown in lateral view. Picture credit: Nick Longrich.

Dr Longrich added:

“Some mosasaurs had teeth to pierce prey, others to cut, tear, or crush. Now we have Khinjaria, with a short face full of huge, dagger-shaped teeth. This is one of the most diverse marine faunas seen anywhere, at any time in history, and it existed just before the marine reptiles and the dinosaurs went extinct.”

A Diversity of Moroccan Marine Reptiles

Fossil discoveries have highlighted the astonishing diversity of large marine reptiles in the environment. Their different dentition suggests that many were not directly competing, that niche partitioning was occurring. For example, the researchers conducted a phylogenetic analysis and placed Khinjaria in a mosasaur clade which they named the Selmasaurini. Also placed in this clade was the Moroccan plioplatecarpine mosasaur Gavialimimus almaghribensis. This mosasaur was a specialised fish hunter.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article about Gavialimimus almaghribensis: A New Species of Mosasaur from Morocco.

Mosasaurs, plesiosaurs and giant sea turtles disappeared, along with entire families of fish at the end of the Cretaceous. This led to the evolution of modern marine ecosystems with whales and seals as apex predators along with teleost fish such as swordfish and tuna.

Dr Longrich commented:

“There seems to have been a huge change in the ecosystem structure in the past 66 million years. This incredible diversity of top predators in the Late Cretaceous is unusual, and we don’t see that in modern marine communities.”

Estimated size of Khinjaria.
A Khinjaria silhouette next to a diver to show the approximate scale. Picture credit: Nick Longrich.

An Ecosystem Different from a Modern Marine Ecosystem

Modern marine food chains have just a few large apex predators, animals like orcas, white sharks, and leopard seals. The Late Cretaceous had many more types of marine predators.

Dr Longrich continued:

“Modern ecosystems have predators like baleen whales and dolphins that eat small prey, and not many things eating large prey. The Cretaceous has a huge number of marine reptile species that take large prey. Whether there’s something about marine reptiles that caused the ecosystem to be different, or the prey, or perhaps the environment, we don’t know. But this was an incredibly dangerous time to be a fish, a sea turtle, or even a marine reptile.”

Professor Nathalie Bardet, (Natural History Museum of Paris), explained:

“The Phosphates of Morocco deposit in a shallow and warm epicontinental sea, under a system of upwellings; these zones are caused by currents of deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters rising towards the surface, providing food for large numbers of sea creatures and, as a result, supporting a lot of predators. This is probably one of the explanations for this extraordinary paleobiodiversity observed in Morocco at the end of the Cretaceous.”.

The phosphate mines of Morocco have provided a wealth of marine fossil material. The specimens collected include the “saw-toothed” mosasaur Xenodens, Stelladens which had teeth with additional cutting edges and Thalassotitan whose teeth were conical in shape and massive.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A bizarre new plioplatecarpine mosasaurid from the Maastrichtian of Morocco” by Nicholas R. Longrich, Michael J. Polcyn, Nour-Eddine Jalil, Xabier Pereda-Suberbiola and Nathalie Bardet published in Cretaceous Research.

Take a look at the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

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