Photos/Pictures of Fossils

29 12, 2023

Favourite and Most Popular Blog Posts of 2023 (Part 2)

By Mike|2024-01-07T10:48:45+00:00December 29th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils, Press Releases|0 Comments

Today, we at Everything Dinosaur continue our countdown of our favourite blog posts of 2023. In the second of this two-part series, we look at the months July to December (2023).

In July we received some amazing prehistoric animal drawings, undertook model review videos, released newsletters and learned about a prehistoric mammal attacking Psittacosaurus. Fans of the invertebrates were not disappointed to read about Arthrolycosa wolterbeeki, the oldest fossil spider to be found in Germany: Germany’s Oldest Spider Arthrolycosa wolterbeeki.

Stocking the Haolonggood Model Range

Book launches, addressing international conferences and discussing trilobites. Just a few of the highlights from August (2023). New abelisaurs were described along with possibly, the heaviest vertebrate that ever lived (Balaenoptera musculus). We welcomed new Beasts of the Mesozoic and PNSO models, but it was another manufacturer that we focused upon. Everything Dinosaur announced that they would be stocking the Haolonggood prehistoric animal model range.

Haolonggood prehistoric animal models. — *The Haolonggood prehistoric animal models will have their own product category area on the Everything Dinosaur website. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Haolonggood models available from Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Vectidromeus insularis

In September, we wrote a blog about the first dicraeosaurid from India. Fossil feather proteins and the complexity of birds were discussed along with a new, bizarre theropod from China. Haolonggood models arrived in stock and brachiopods took centre stage. The second Isle of Wight member of the Hypsilophodontidae was described, over 150 years after the first. The dinosaur named Vectidromeus insularis is geologically much older than Hypsilophodon foxii. Blog readers can expect to hear about more new Wealden Group dinosaurs in the future.

“Lonesome George”

Hollywood film premieres, mentoring university students and the boom in mammoth tusk sales threatening extant elephants were all highlighted. Talented model makers and new theropod figures from PNSO and Nanmu Studio were discussed in October. We enjoyed writing about “Lonesome George” an amazing replica of a Pinta Island giant tortoise.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Rebor models and figures: Rebor Figures and Models.

The Everything Dinosaur Blog in November

In November in the UK, the nights were certainly drawing in. The longer evenings allowed us more time to prepare blog posts on the new for 2024 CollectA figures, a new fleet-footed theropod from Brazil and TetZooCon. Rebor introduced GrabNGo Alligators and the Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia arrived. It was the front page of a national newspaper that drew most attention. Mammoths were going to be back within five years:

Woolly Mammoth De-extinction — *A tabloid newspaper on Saturday 18th November was predicting the return of the Woolly Mammoth by 2028. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To read our article: Lovable Boffins Pledge to Bring Back the Woolly Mammoth.

2023 Draws to a Close

In the last month of 2023, we wrote about last recommended parcel posting dates and a new television documentary presented by Sir David Attenborough. A new, enormous titanosaur from Argentina was described and we learned about the last meal of a Gorgosaurus. We highlighted our model video reviews and discussed blog maintenance and new model releases.

The first production figure of the new CollectA Deluxe Dearc sgiathanach arrived and this was certainly a highlight of our entire year.

The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Dearc, — *The CollectA Deluxe Dearc pterosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

To view the CollectA Deluxe model range currently in stock: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

The new for 2024 CollectA Dearc sgiathanach model will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the spring of 2024.

The Dearc article: Measuring the CollectA Dearc Pterosaur Model.

What New Blog Posts for 2024?

There are lots of exciting research papers due to be published. Several new books about prehistoric animals are due to be launched. We at Everything Dinosaur have some exciting plans of our own. There is certainly a lot to do in 2024 and a lot of fascinating stories to cover.

We look forward to continuing our blog and trying to write a daily article.

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

28 12, 2023

Favourite and Most Popular Blog Posts of 2023 (Part 1)

By Mike|2024-01-03T17:33:22+00:00December 28th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils, Press Releases|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we try and post up an article on this blog site every single day. This can be quite a challenge considering all our other activities and projects. However, as a result of our work on this weblog we have managed to compile a huge amount of information, articles and features chronicling (for the most part), advances in the Earth sciences and new fossil discoveries along with research into prehistoric animals.

We thought it would be interesting to look back at some of our blog posts this year and list the top ten favourite and most popular posts.

Here is part one, numbers ten to six covering January to June.

It was an action-packed January for Everything Dinosaur. The company was awarded Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award once again, there was a cyber incident at Royal Mail, and we discussed Carboniferous suction feeders. However, it was a superb pterosaur fossil from southern Germany that caught the eye.

Balaenognathus Life Reconstruction — *A life reconstruction of the newly described pterosaur Balaenognathus maeuseri. Picture credit: Megan Jacobs*

To read about this discovery (Balaenognathus maeuseri): A New Pterosaur Species is Described.

February Frogspawn

In February a baby Torosaurus model was reunited with its mum, Mojo models took centre stage and the Rebor Deinosuchus figures arrived. We wrote articles about the larynx of Pinacosaurus, how to leave a review and rare dinosaur footsteps. For the first time, frogs spawned in the office pond in February.

An impact of climate change: Frogspawn in the Office Pond.

Dinosaurs Had Lips

At the end of March, we published an article summarising a new scientific paper that postulated that dinosaurs had lips. The lips versus lipless debate has existed for more than a century. Early depictions of dinosaurs gave them lips like extant lizards. When it came to depicting dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex in early films, the lips were ditched so that cinema goers could see their teeth. The teeth on show made the dinosaurs more frightening. Movie monsters bearing their huge teeth became a recurrent theme that is still seen in movies today. However, this new paper came firmly down in support of lips on theropod dinosaurs.

It also gave us the opportunity to display the excellent artwork of Mark Witton.

Find the article here: Tyrannosaurus rex Had Lips!

A New Armoured Dinosaur – Vectipelta barretti

Dinosaur drawings, new models and rapidly metamorphosising frogs featured in June. Team members got to visit the astonishing Patagotitan exhibition at the London Natural History Museum. This provides an appropriate segway into our favourite post of that month. A new species of armoured dinosaur was named. Vectipelta barretti honours Professor Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum.

*Vectipelta life reconstruction. Picture credit: Stuart Pond.*

The Vectipelta article: Armoured Dinosaur Honours Museum Professor.

Dinosaur fans can expect further new dinosaur announcements from Wealden Group strata.

We hope you enjoyed reading these blog posts as much as we enjoyed researching and writing them. Part two documenting July to December 2023 will be published shortly.

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

23 12, 2023

New Giant Titanosaur from Argentina Described

By Mike|2023-12-22T22:00:03+00:00December 23rd, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A new species of giant titanosaur has been scientifically described. The dinosaur, known from fossils from Neuquén Province, (Argentina) has been named Bustingorrytitan shiva. This dinosaur may have weighed more than sixty-seven tonnes! Although the body mass estimates are prone to error, it is likely that this huge herbivore weighed at least fifty tonnes.

The fossil material was collected from the base of the Huincul Formation and consists of a relatively complete skeleton and the partial remains of three others. The strata have been dated to the upper Cenomanian (95 mya). The fossils were collected from the surroundings of Villa El Chocón. The genus name was erected to honour Manuel Bustingorry, who permitted the excavation work to take place.

The species name is from the Hindu deity Shiva, which transformed the universe. This alludes to the extensive faunal turnover that occurred in the Cretaceous towards the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary.

Bustingorrytitan fossils. — *Forelimb bones of the new, giant titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Bustingorrytitan shiva. Note largest scale bars equal 2 cm. Picture credit: Simón and Salgado (Acta Palaeontologica Polonica).*

Calculating the Weight of a Giant Titanosaur

Both cranial and postcranial material was recovered. The fossil material includes right and left humeri and fragmentary thigh bones (femora). From these bones (humerus and the femur) the minimum circumference of these limb bones can be established. A formula (Campione and Evans, 2012) can then be applied to estimate the body mass of the animal. These calculations suggest that B. shiva was heavier than Dreadnoughtus schrani and perhaps comparable to the original body weight calculated for Patagotitan mayorum.

*Pelvic and hindlimb elements ascribed to Bustingorrytitan shiva. Note scale bars equal 20 cm. Picture credit: Simón and Salgado (Acta Palaeontologica Polonica).*

Intriguingly, the holotype material from which some of the limb bone measurements originate, suggests that the holotype specimen was not fully grown when it died. Bustingorrytitan shiva, may have been much larger.

The scientific paper: “A new gigantic titanosaurian sauropod from the early Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina)” by María Edith Simón and Leonardo Salgado published in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

8 12, 2023

Researchers Indentify the Last Meal of a Young Gorgosaurus

By Mike|2024-03-09T15:01:33+00:00December 8th, 2023|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A newly published scientific paper has highlighted the diet of juvenile tyrannosaurs. Writing in the academic journal “Science Advances” the research team report that a young Gorgosaurus consumed the hind limbs from a pair of caenagnathid dinosaurs (Citipes elegans). This is the first time that stomach contents have been found in association with a tyrannosaur specimen.

A superb, well-preserved Gorgosaurus libratus specimen was found by Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology staff in the Dinosaur Provincial Park in 2009. The specimen is a juvenile, thought to be between five and seven years of age. When it died this dinosaur weighed around 335 kilograms, only about 13% of the mass of an adult Gorgosaurus.

Dr François Therrien (Curator of Dinosaur Palaeoecology at the Royal Tyrrell Museum) and Dr Darla Zelenitsky (Assistant Professor at University of Calgary) stand next to the young Gorgosaurus specimen. Picture credit: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Stomach Contents Preserved in a Young Gorgosaurus

Whilst being cleaned and prepared at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Alberta, Canada), the partial remains of two small theropods were discovered inside the stomach cavity. The research team determined that this juvenile tyrannosaur ate the hind limbs of two caenagnathids. Rather than consuming the whole animal, the young tyrannosaur only ate the hind limbs (the meatiest parts of the body).

The Last Meal of a Gorgosaurus. — *The red square highlights where the preserved gut contents found in the Gorgosaurus libratus can be found. Picture credit: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.*

Analysis of the Citipes remains demonstrated that they were young animals, perhaps twelve months old. Alongside the Citipes limb bones caudal vertebrae were discovered. This suggests that there was preferential consumption of the Citipes hind quarters.

Gorgosaurus Stomach Contents. — The stomach contents preserved inside Gorgosaurus libratus. The light and dark blue elements show the right and left hindlimbs of one Citipes individual. The light and dark green bones represent the other Citipes specimen consumed. Picture credit: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

The elements highlighted in green in the illustration (above) are the remains of the first Citipes individual the gorgosaur consumed. The elements highlighted in blue are fossilised bones from the second Citipes individual eaten.

The Same Meal but Consumed at Different Times

As the elements of the two Citipes individuals are at different stages of digestion, the researchers were able to conclude that the gorgosaur’s stomach contents represent two different meals. These two juvenile Citipes could have been ingested hours or days apart. The presence of two dinosaurs of the same species and age in the stomach contents, ingested at different times, suggests that young caenagnathids may have been among the preferred prey of juvenile gorgosaurs.

This specimen is the first to provide direct evidence that young gorgosaurs had different diets than their adult counterparts. When fully grown Gorgosaurus would have been an apex predator. Feeding traces preserved on fossil bones indicate that Gorgosaurus fed on ceratopsians and duck-billed dinosaurs.

This evidence suggests that tyrannosaurs occupied different ecological niches over their lifetime. As young tyrannosaurs grew and matured, they would have transitioned from hunting small and young dinosaurs to preying on large herbivores. This dietary shift likely began around the age of eleven, when their skulls and teeth started becoming more robust.

*The recently introduced PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus dinosaur model in lateral view. A replica of an adult Gorgosaurus libratus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur*.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a replica of an adult Gorgosaurus. The skull is much more robust and powerful and the teeth proportionately larger. The model is from the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range.

To view this range of prehistoric animal figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.

A Way of Reducing Intraspecific Competition

Dietary differences are seen in animals at different ontogenic stages in modern ecosystems. These differences in diet provide a competitive advantage by lessening intraspecific competition for resources. Therefore, such a shift may have allowed juvenile and adult tyrannosaurs to coexist in the same environment with reduced conflict.

Being able to occupy different ecological niches during their lifespan was probably a key to the evolutionary success of the Tyrannosauridae.

A young Gorgosaurus consumes a Citipes elegans. — *An illustration of Gorgosaurus libratus eating Citipes elegans. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology/Julius Csotonyi.*

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Exceptionally preserved stomach contents of a young tyrannosaurid reveal an ontogenetic dietary shift in an iconic extinct predator” by Francois Therrien, Darla K. Zelenitsky, Jared T. Voris, Gregory M. Erickson, Philip J. Currie, Christopher L. Debuhr and Yoshitsugu Kobayashi published in Science Advances.

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

22 11, 2023

Sinosauropteryx Reconstruction on Display at Famous Museum

By Mike|2023-12-12T11:12:37+00:00November 22nd, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Team members at Everything Dinosaur spotted a cute Sinosauropteryx reconstruction on display at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg in Frankfurt. We visited the museum back in 2017, providing a break from the Frankfurter Buchmesse that we had been attending. The little, life-sized dinosaur was part of an exhibit outlining the origin of birds. A model such as this, helps visitors to interpret fossil information.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Sinosauropteryx Reconstruction

Sinosauropteryx has been classified as a member of the Compsognathidae family of theropod dinosaurs. At the time of its scientific description (1996, Ji and Ji), it was classified as a primitive bird. Subsequent revision, placing Sinosauropteryx within the Compsognathidae confirmed that this dinosaur was not closely related to birds. However, it does represent the first dinosaur taxon outside of the Avialae clade to show definitive evidence for feathers.

Sinosauropteryx fossil material. — *Sinosauropteryx on display – the first feathered dinosaur described. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO of China did produce a range of smaller prehistoric animal figures including several feathered models. These figures were beautifully painted and highlighted many feathered dinosaurs and primitive birds.

To view the range PNSO models and figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Figures.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We come across lots of life reconstructions on display in museum cabinets. Whilst this Sinosauropteryx is perhaps, a little outdated, it still provides visitors with information about this small dinosaur. It is quite an endearing model of a tiny theropod. By having a model in the display this helps visitors to better interpret the fossils within the exhibit”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur – Our Website.

18 10, 2023

A Remarkable Compsognathus Fossil Cast

By Mike|2023-11-23T11:01:13+00:00October 18th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members took a photograph of the Compsognathus fossil cast on display at the Manchester Museum of Natural History. This chicken-sized theropod is known from two specimens. One fossil was found in France, the other was found in Bavaria (Germany). The fossil cast represents the Bavarian specimen (BSP AS I 563).

*A cast of a Compsognathus fossil on display at the Manchester Museum of Natural History. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Famous Compsognathus Fossil Cast

The German specimen was collected from limestone deposits. This fossil came into the ownership of the amateur fossil collector Dr Joseph Oberndorfer. The famous German palaeontologist Johann A Wagner, was loaned the specimen to study. He penned a brief description in 1859. Wagner named this dinosaur Compsognathus longipes. Although at the time, Wagner did not recognise Compsognathus as a member of the Dinosauria. He thought it was a prehistoric lizard.

Numerous Compsognathus models and replicas have been manufactured. Perhaps, the most intriguing is the limited-edition Compsognathus dissection replicas made by Rebor.

The picture (above) shows the stunning and extremely realistic Rebor Oddities Compsognathus longipes preserved dissection specimen.

To view the Rebor range: Rebor Models and Figures.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The fossil cast of a Compsognathus specimen is on display in numerous museums around the world. It is an iconic fossil of a theropod dinosaur.”

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

15 10, 2023

Boom in Mammoth Tusk Sales Threatens Living Elephants

By Mike|2023-10-22T12:43:36+01:00October 15th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Animal News Stories, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils, Teaching|0 Comments

The boom in the trade for mammoth tusks threatens extant elephant populations and their habitats. This is the conclusion of newly published research from the University of Portsmouth.

Conservationists and campaigners fear an increase in the buying and selling of mammoth tusks poses a direct threat to elephants. The trade in “ice ivory” was banned in the UK in 2018. The ban was imposed following a Portsmouth University led investigation into the British antiques trade of the material.

Boom in sale of mammoth tusks threatens extant elephants. — *Humans encounter a Woolly Mammoth. A boom in “ice ivory” trade of mammoth tusks presents a threat to elephants and the environment. Picture credit: Mark Witton.*

The Trade in Mammoth Tusks

Earlier this year (2023), it was announced the Ivory Act would be extended to protect five more endangered CITES-listed species, including the hippopotamus, narwhal, walrus, orca and sperm whale. However, new research highlights the unregulated sale of mammoth tusks needs to be addressed. The species fall outside of the regulation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is an international, multi-government agreement set up to ensure the survival of animals and plant species.

The authors argue that while woolly mammoths became extinct thousands of years ago, their lives and ultimate demise has much to teach us about how we conserve and protect existing elephant populations.

Large elephants on display. (Mastodons and Mammoths). — *Prehistoric elephants on display at the Senckenberg Museum (Frankfurt). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

What About Other Prehistoric Elephant Genera?

Everything Dinosaur notes, that many species of extinct elephant had large tusks. Whilst the tusks eroding out of melting Siberian permafrost might usually be associated with the Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), tusks from other extinct species might be traded too. For example, tusks from the American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) or the Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) found in North America might also be bought and sold.

*The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Mastodon model. The trade in the ivory of other prehistoric elephants would also need to be controlled.*

The picture (above) shows a model of the American Mastodon by Safari Ltd.

To view this range of prehistoric animal models and figures: Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models.

Prehistoric Elephant Tusks Labelled as Ivory from Extant Species

Lead author in the recently published paper, Dr Caroline Cox (University of Portsmouth) commented:

“There’s evidence traders are trying to sustain the illegal ivory market with mammoth tusks, by intentionally mislabelling ice ivory as elephant ivory. Modern elephants and woolly mammoths share a common ancestor, so their tusks have close similarities. Instead of profiting from these new discoveries, we should be learning from them – how mammoths lived and how they died – to help protect their endangered relatives.”

It is estimated the illegal wildlife trade to be collectively worth between $15-22.5 billion USD a year. This puts the trade on a par with the illegal arms trade, the illegal drugs trade and the trade in human trafficking.

Schreger Lines in Elephant Ivory

Co-author of the study, Luke Hauser (University of Portsmouth) explained:

“Structurally, mammoth ivory is fundamentally identical to elephant ivory. Both have Schreger lines, which are distinct characteristics of the species.”

The majority of the ivory coming out of Siberia is woolly mammoth, but because evolution is a slow process there would have been crossovers between their characteristics and their predecessors. In theory, a trader could have a document claiming a tusk is from a Steppe Mammoth (M. trogontherii) when in fact it is actually a Woolly Mammoth (M. primigenius). Conservationists could not argue otherwise without an expensive and lengthy DNA test.

It is more than a decade since eBay announced its own complete, worldwide ban on ivory sales. An on-line post stated that the global ban would “protect buyers and sellers, as well as animals in danger of extinction”. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that sellers of illegal wildlife products operate on the dark web, rather than more openly through on-line social media and auction platforms.

The Trade in Mammoth Tusks Damages the Fossil Record

Dr Cox explained:

“While mammoth tusks continue to be in demand, particularly in the Far East, the Siberian tusk hunters of Yakutia recover only what the buyers want – the ivory. The remains of the mammoth are left behind and lost to science.”

The mining of mammoth tusks is dangerous. It is often illegal, and it damages the environment. The law of the Russian Federation states that only mammoth tusks that have come to the surface, usually as a result of the permafrost melting, can be harvested. However, this is extremely difficult to enforce. Miners can speed up the erosion process by using high pressure hoses to blast the permafrost. The industrial mining of the permafrost also releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane. This is leading to accelerated global warming.

The paper, published in the “Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy”, states that the best and most effective way of tackling issues surrounding the “ice ivory” trade is international cooperation from nations sharing resources and intelligence.

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

The scientific paper: “Ice Ivory to White Gold: Links Between the Illegal Ivory Trade and the Trade in Geocultural Artifacts” by Caroline Cox and Luke Hauser published in the Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy.

Visit the website of Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

2 10, 2023

The Fascinating London Natural History Museum Baryonyx Exhibit

By Mike|2024-01-02T06:46:55+00:00October 2nd, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members took some photographs of the London Natural History Museum Baryonyx exhibit during a visit to the Museum in the summer. The first skeletal remains of this iconic theropod were discovered forty years ago. This dinosaur was formally named and described in 1986 (Baryonyx walkeri).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Museum Baryonyx Exhibit

Baryonyx was named by British palaeontologists Alan J. Charig and Angela Milner, based on about 70 percent of the skeleton. The holotype was originally known as BMNH R9951, however, it was later re-catalogued as NHMUK VP R9951. It remains one of the most complete theropod fossil skeletons known from the British Isles. It is also one of the most complete examples of a spinosaurid known to science.

The museum Baryonyx exhibit (pictured above), is not made up of the actual fossil bones. Instead, the mounted skeleton is made up of casts and reconstructed skeletal material.

*The new for 2021 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Baryonyx dinosaur model. A typical replica of Baryonyx walkeri.*

Numerous Baryonyx replicas have been produced. It remains a popular theropod dinosaur. The image (above) shows the 2021 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Baryonyx figure.

To view this model range: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models and Figures.

The Baryonyx Jaw

The London Natural History Museum display also includes several Baryonyx fossil casts. These exhibits highlight important characteristics of the fossil skeleton. Team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to admire the cast of the premaxilla and a partial maxilla on display.

London Natural History Museum Baryonyx exhibit (the maxilla and premaxilla on display). — *Casts of the preserved premaxilla and the maxilla of Baryonyx on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that Baryonyx walkeri was one of their favourite British theropod dinosaurs. Although, they did concede that fossil specimens from elsewhere in the world had been assigned to this genus.

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

20 09, 2023

A Bizarre Avialan Theropod from China

By Mike|2023-09-25T15:01:00+01:00September 20th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

A new taxon of avialan theropod has been described from fossils found in Fujian Province (China). This small dinosaur has been named Fujianvenator prodigiosus. The fossil bones demonstrate a mosaic of anatomical features that are shared with early avialans as well as other members of the Maniraptora.

Fujianvenator prodigiosus

Writing in the academic journal “Nature”, the researchers describe this new theropod and state that it is one of the stratigraphically youngest avialans described to date. Fujianvenator roamed a wetland environment around 148-150 million years ago (Tithonian faunal stage of the Late Jurassic). Its fossils are likely to prove invaluable in understanding the evolution of the characteristic bird body plan, and to reconcile phylogenetic controversies over the origin of birds.

Fujianvenator is one of the geographically southernmost Jurassic avialans known to science. The headless specimen was excavated from Nanyuan Formation deposits near Yangyuan Village (Zhenghe County).

Defining the Avialae

The Avialae (means bird wings), is a clade of theropods. It contains the Aves (avian dinosaurs) and all non-avian dinosaurs more closely related to birds than to deinonychosaurs. In turn, the Avialae is part of the larger Maniraptora which includes all birds, and well-known types of dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurs, troodontids, the Alvarezsauroidea, the therizinosaurs and the Oviriaptorosauria.

During the fieldwork, a diverse assemblage of vertebrate fossils were documented. The assemblage is dominated by aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Fossil discoveries include fish, turtles and choristoderes (semi-aquatic, diapsid reptiles). Only one dinosaur fossil has been found at the location (Fujianvenator prodigiosus). Furthermore, this is the first time that a dinosaur fossil has been discovered in Fujian Province.

*Fujianvenator prodigiosus fossils and interpretative line drawing. Picture credit: Xu et al Chinese Academy of Sciences.*

Fujianvenator and the Zhenghe Fauna

Fujianvenator demonstrates a mosaic of morphological features. The forelimbs are similar to those of Archaeopteryx, whereas the hip bones are more typical of troodontids. The hindlimb is elongated, suggesting that this theropod adapted to a wading lifestyle. In contrast, other early avialans show specific adaptations to powered flight or a life in the trees.

Such is the amount of vertebrate fossil material collected that the palaeontologists can build up a detailed map of this ancient swampland ecosystem. They are confident that it will provide key insights into terrestrial ecosystems of the Late Jurassic. Perhaps more avialan theropod fossils will be found.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new avialan theropod from an emerging Jurassic terrestrial fauna” by Liming Xu, Min Wang, Runsheng Chen, Liping Dong, Min Lin, Xing Xu, Jianrong Tang, Hailu You, Guowu Zhou, Linchang Wang, Wenxing He, Yujuan Li, Chi Zhang and Zhonghe Zhou published in Nature.

For models and replicas of dinosaurs including members of the Maniraptora: Dinosaur Replicas Including Models of Theropods.

18 09, 2023

Vectidromeus – A New Hypsilophodontid from the Isle of Wight

By Mike|2023-09-25T07:03:19+01:00September 18th, 2023|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Scientists have formally named a new species of hypsilophodontid dinosaur from the Isle of Wight. The new species, named Vectidromeus insularis, is the second member of the hypsilophodont family to be found on the island after Hypsilophodon foxii. This discovery lends weight to the theory that Europe had its own unique biota of small herbivorous dinosaurs, distinct from those found in North America and Asia.

Vectidromeus insularis

Four blocks containing fossil bones were collected at different times from Wessex Formation exposures at Sudmoor Point which is located on the western side of the island about 2 miles (3.2 kms) from the village of Brighstone. The largest block contains hip bones, dorsal vertebrae, a left femur and lower leg bones. The second block contains other parts of the lower leg bones and some tailbones. A third block consists of elements from the right femur and the right tibia. The small fourth block contains the left metatarsals and bones from the toes (phalanges). Blocks one and two come from the same animal and the other fossils can be tentatively ascribed to the same individual.

The fossils represent a chicken-sized juvenile. Vectidromeus may have grown much larger.

Closely Related to Hypsilophodon foxii

The specimen shows numerous autapomorphies that distinguish it from Hypsilophodon foxii. For example, the hip bones are very different. The blade of the ilium is short and deep, and the ischia are more rectangular in shape. The fourth trochanter, a muscle attachment scar on the femur is proportionately larger. As both juvenile and adult specimens of H. foxii are known, the research team confidently stated that these anatomical traits were not due to the dinosaur’s young age. The different characteristics indicate a new dinosaur genus, albeit one closely related to Hypsilophodon.

Vectidromeus insularis holotype fossils. — *Holotype fossil material of Vectidromeus insularis. Picture credit: University of Bath*.

Dr Nicholas Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, led the study. He commented:

“Palaeontologists have been working on the Isle of Wight for more than a century, and these fossils have played an important role in the history of vertebrate palaeontology, but we’re still making new discoveries about the dinosaur fauna as the sea erodes new fossils out of the cliffs.”

Vectidromeus Geologically Much Older than Hypsilophodon

Vectidromeus probably dates from the earliest Barremian or the latest Hauterivian stage of the Early Cretaceous (125-126 million years ago. The H. foxii material from the Hypsilophodon beds higher up the stratigraphic column, lie at the top of the Wessex Formation and are no younger than 121.4 million years. Therefore, as much as 4.6 million years could separate these two taxa.

*Vectidromeus insularis compared in size to Hypsilophodon foxii. Picture credit: University of Bath.*

The Cretaceous strata on the Isle of Wight are hundreds of metres thick and span several million years. Scientific consensus is still not entirely clear how old they are – so the fossils may be sampling a whole series of evolving ecosystems, each with a different set of species.

Co-author on the study, Professor Dave Martill (University of Portsmouth) stated:

“It is utterly bizarre that so many new dinosaurs are being discovered on the Isle of Wight. Vectidromeus is the seventh new species of dinosaur to be discovered in the last four years. This is all down to the amateur collectors.”

It is likely that many new species of dinosaur will be described from fossils found on the Isle of Wight. Palaeontologists are building up a more complete picture of the dinosaur dominated fauna that existed in this part of the world during the Early Cretaceous.

Isle of Wight ornithopods. — *Herbivorous dinosaurs (ornithopods) known from the Isle of Wight. Picture credit: University of Bath*.

Dozens of small plant-eating dinosaurs have been assigned to the hypsilophodont family, but revisions to the dinosaur family tree have resulted in reclassifying them to other branches of the tree, leaving Hypsilophodon as the only species left in the family.

Dr Longrich added:

“We had a curious situation where one of the first dinosaur families to be recognised had just one species. And now, we have two. What’s intriguing is that they’re not particularly closely related to anything found in North America, Asia, or the Southern Hemisphere. We’re still piecing together how all these dinosaurs are related, and how dinosaurs moved between continents. After Pangaea broke up, there was a lot of isolation, leading to different kinds of dinosaurs evolving on each continent.”

This newly published scientific paper highlights the contribution made to science by fossil hunters and their local knowledge.

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

The scientific paper: “Vectidromeus insularis, a new hypsilophodontid dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, England” by Nicholas R. Longrich, David M. Martill, Martin Munt, Mick Green, Mark Penn and Shaun Smith published in Cretaceous Research.

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