All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
3 11, 2018

Elaborate Plumage in Confuciusornis

By |2023-11-06T09:04:21+00:00November 3rd, 2018|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Patterns on the Feathers of Confuciusornis as Complex as Modern Birds

A team of international scientists, including researchers from the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the University of Ghent (Belgium) and the University of Texas at Austin (United States), have discovered that the patterns on the feathers of an Early Cretaceous bird may have been very similar to and as complex as the patterns seen on the feathers of extant Aves.  Writing in the academic, on-line journal “PeerJ”, the researchers conclude that the patterning of Confuciusornis feathers probably performed similar functions to the patterning on modern bird’s feathery coats, that is, they provided camouflage and also played a role in display.

Confuciusornis Integumentary Covering – Elaborate Plumage

Study suggests Confuciusornis had elaborate plumage.
Reconstruction of the plumage of Confuciusornis (specimen number CUGB P140).

Picture credit: Li et al (PeerJ)

Complex Patterning Detected by Sophisticated Chemical Analysis

The specimen studied consists of a slab and counter slab of a single, individual bird from Early Cretaceous deposits in Fengning County, Hebei Province (north-central China).  The fossils are from the vertebrate collection of the China University of Geosciences and represent an example of Confuciusornis sanctus.

The research team identified exceptional feather preservation but poor preservation of the bones, the unusual state of preservation permitted the scientists to identify melanin signals in the fossilised feathers indicating a complex patterning of spots on the wings, throat and on the tuft of feathers at the back of the head forming a small crest.  The shape of the structures that form these patterns in conjunction with chemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of the pigment melanin.  However, specific colouration associated with the patterns could not be discerned.

The Slab and Counter Slab or a C. sanctus Specimen Reveals Complex Patterning on the Plumage

Evidence of Confuciusornis plumage.
Evidence of plumage diversity in the Confuciusornithidae from the new specimen (CUGB P1401).

Picture credit: Li et al (PeerJ)

The photograph (above) shows various views of the main slab of the fossil specimen showing details of the plumage.  The dots in (A) indicate places that were subjected to sampling, whereas B and C reveal the crest located on the back of the head.  Parts D and E show elements of the integumentary covering in close detail.

A Range of Analytical Techniques Used to Study Confuciusornis

Using a range of analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy and ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) the researchers concluded that the elaborate spotting on this specimen exceeds that found in exceptionally-preserved troodontids and compsognathids and rivals that in modern birds, suggesting that plumage patterns evolved greater complexity through avian evolution.

The exact age of the strata is uncertain, although it is believed that the deposits from Fengning County are approximately equivalent in age with the Dawangzhangzi Member of the Yixian Formation, around 122-123 million years old (Aptian faunal stage of the Early Cretaceous).  The data from this study suggests that Confuciusornis had more complex patterning than the patterning identified in Achiornis or in the stripes of the compsognathid Sinosauropteryx.  The research team conclude that this specimen of a primitive bird provides evidence to support the idea that complex patterning of feathers evolved at a relatively early stage in avian evolution.

The Chinese manufacturer PNSO have produced a model of Confuciusornis.

To view the PNSO model range: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Replicas and Models.

The Link to Barn Owls

Integumentary patterns and colours play a variety of roles in living birds.  Such patterning in fossil specimens probably performed the same sort of functions and in addition, they can help to inform on the habitat in which the extinct creature lived.  In some modern bird groups, barn owls for example (Strigiformes), it has been observed that the size and placement of the spots on the feathers play a role in mate selection.  Male barn owls tend to prefer females with larger spots.  The patterning identified on this C. sanctus specimen leads to the intriguing idea that for confuciusornithids, just like barn owls, the location and the size of the spots on the plumage played a role in choosing a mate.

The scientific paper: “Elaborate Plumage Patterning in a Cretaceous Bird” by Quango Li, Julia A. Clarke, Ke-Qin Gao, Jennifer A. Peteya and Matthew D. Shawkey published in PeerJ.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

2 11, 2018

A Rare Ammonite Model is in Stock

By |2024-03-14T09:24:12+00:00November 2nd, 2018|General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on A Rare Ammonite Model is in Stock

Ammonite Model is in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

At popular request, Everything Dinosaur has brought back into stock the ammonite model.  This robust replica of an ammonite is ideal for schools and it has been used as a teaching resource in topic areas such as Year 3 (fossils, rocks and soils) and learning about Mary Anning (the famous fossil seashell collector from Lyme Regis in Dorset), in a dinosaur and fossil related term topic.

The Ammonite Replica – Model of an Ammonite

The Bullyland ammonite model next to a polished section of an ammonite fossil.
The Bullyland ammonite model is often used in museum displays to depict the living animal next to fossil material. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

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

Getting to Grips with Ammonites

Ideal for creative play, school or home study, the ammonite model measures 17 cm long from the end of the shell to the tips of the tentacles and the shell has a diameter of 9 cm. The model has been specially designed to be handled by children from three years and upwards.  A spokesperson from the teaching team at Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Ironically, models of ammonites tend to be more difficult to find than fossils of ammonites.  Children can learn about the fossil shells, but they do not know what the actual animal that lived in the shell looked like.  This child-friendly model helps young learners to appreciate that the fossils they are looking at represent the remains of living creatures that once swam in our seas and oceans.  The model helps children to understand that whilst ammonites are extinct, they are very similar to animals living in the sea today, creatures like squid, cuttlefish and octopi for example.”

The ammonite model has a 5-star rating on Everything Dinosaur’s website, a typical review for this replica:
“Very accurate model, impressive size.”

An Ammonite Model Used in Museum Displays

Everything Dinosaur also supplies this model to museums and other educational institutions.  It can often be found in display cases showing a collection of ammonite fossils.

Everything Dinosaur’s Ammonite Model on Display at a Museum

We spotted a Bullyland ammonite model being used to help illustrate a display of ammonite fossils. Ammonite replicas are often purchased by fossil hunters.
A Bullyland ammonite model is used to help illustrate a display of ammonite fossils. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Helping to Bring Science Alive

The picture (above) shows an ammonite model next to a fossil of a Jurassic ammonite on display in a museum.  The replica demonstrates what the living creature looked like and helps to bring the study of science alive and brings learning about fossils into context.

To view the ammonite model and a range of other museum quality, educational figures and replicas: Museum Line models and replicas available from Everything Dinosaur.

2 11, 2018

New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 1)

By |2023-11-06T08:49:47+00:00November 2nd, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|9 Comments

New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 1)

At this time of year, our friends at CollectA give Everything Dinosaur official clearance to publish information and pictures on the new for 2019 CollectA prehistoric animal models.  Working closely with this manufacturer, we intend to put up a series of posts over the next few weeks informing dinosaur fans and figure collectors about what they have to look forward to in terms of new model introductions.

CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models

The first three we can announce are:

  • A Caiuajara pterosaur model with a moveable jaw (CollectA Supreme Deluxe range) – available first quarter 2019.
  • A Borealopelta armoured dinosaur model (CollectA The Age of Dinosaurs Popular range) – available first quarter 2019.
  • A CollectA box of mini prehistoric animals (prehistoric mammals, a “terror bird” and Estemmenosuchus – available first quarter 2019.

CollectA Borealopelta Model

CollectA will be adding another armoured dinosaur replica to their excellent not-to-scale range of dinosaur figures, a model of the Canadian nodosaurid Borealopelta (B. markmitchelli).

The CollectA Borealopelta Dinosaur Model

CollectA Borealopelta dinosaur model.
The Age of Dinosaurs Popular – CollectA Borealopelta.

Picture credit: CollectA

Borealopelta was officially named and described only last year, but this remarkable fossil was actually found back in 2011.   It took the team of dedicated preparators more than five and half years to separate this 5.5 metre long giant from its fossil matrix.   The lead preparator and one of the most patient people on the planet, was Mark Mitchell and the species name honours his efforts in the restoration and preparation of one of the most perfectly preserved large dinosaur specimens ever discovered.

An Early Cretaceous Nodosaurid

The CollectA figure accurately portrays this Early Cretaceous nodosaurid, the reddish/brown colouration and the presence of counter-shading reflects the conclusions drawn from a scientific paper describing the exquisite details of the armour published in August 2017.

The fossil, found at the Suncor Millennium Mine in north-eastern Alberta, was so well-preserved that the armoured scales and plates were in their original position.  Small amounts of keratin that would have covered the spikes and skin was detected.  The CollectA design team have done their own restoration work on this model.  They modelled this figure to match the position of the fossil in situ and restored the missing pelvic area, which was unfortunately destroyed when a digger at the mine first broke into the block of stone that held the specimen.

CollectA Supreme Deluxe Caiuajara

Large pterosaur models are becoming a bit of a CollectA speciality.  Joining the large Dimorphodon and Guidraco figures will be a beautiful and very colourful model of a Brazilian flying reptile – Caiuajara.  The genus name is pronounced “Kay-you-ah-jar-rah”.

The New for 2019 CollectA Supreme Deluxe Caiuajara Pterosaur Model

CollectA Deluxe Caiuajara with moveable jaw.
The Age of Dinosaurs Deluxe Caiuajara pterosaur figure with a moveable jaw.

Picture credit: CollectA

Pterosaur Fossils from Brazil

Most pterosaur fossils associated with Brazil come from the north-eastern part of the country, but Caiuajara comes from southern Brazil (Paraná State).  It is a member of the Tapejaridae family and like most tapejarids it had a very flamboyant crest.  Both males and females sported crests, although it is thought that it was the males that tended to have the larger and more spectacular head ornamentation.  The team at CollectA have provided their model with a vivid crest, complete with an eye-spot.  Most palaeontologists believe that these crests were used in displays, so as far as a pterosaur is concerned, the flashier the crest the better.  Like the other CollectA supreme pterosaur models, this figure is depicted on the ground.

Hundreds of fossils of Caiuajara have been discovered, all from the same locality.  The first fossil discoveries were reported in 1971 but a formal analysis and scientific description was only completed in 2014.  The remains are found in a series of sandstone layers that represent an arid area adjacent to a lake.  The majority of the bones come from sub-adults and juveniles, palaeontologists have speculated that this was a colony and that these flying reptiles were highly social.

The Designer Comments about CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models

Model designer Anthony Beeson commented:

“The Brazilian taperjarid Caiuajara has been requested by a number of CollectA fans and we were happy to oblige.  He is in the Supreme range for scale and has a moveable jaw.  I chose to portray a fully grown adult because the head-crest was then at its most extreme.  The head-crest seemed to need a striking decoration if it was to be used for species recognition or mating ritual, so I have given him a false eye decoration.”

Intriguingly, when the scientific paper describing Caiuajara (C. dobruskii) was published, the authors postulated, that the fossil site represented a staging post on a migration route for these pterosaurs.  Expect this excellent CollectA Caiuajara to be migrating into Everything Dinosaur’s warehouse in the spring of 2019.

CollectA Box of Mini Prehistoric Animal Models

The third and final item to be announced this week is a box of mini prehistoric animals.

CollectA Mini Prehistoric Animals

The CollectA Box of Mini Prehistoric Animals (2019)
The CollectA box of mini prehistoric animal models which is going to be available in 2019. Twelve prehistoric animal models.

Picture credit: CollectA

This skilfully crafted set of mini figures features replicas of prehistoric animals already represented in the CollectA range termed “other prehistoric animals”.  There are twelve figures in the set namely: Moropus, Deinotherium, Woolly Mammoth, Paraceratherium, Kelenken (terror bird), Uintatherium, Estemmenosuchus, Daeodon, Andrewsarchus, Arsinoitherium, Smilodon and Megacerops.  CollectA have built up a strong reputation for the prehistoric mammal figures and it is great to see a mini set of these models introduced.

To view the current range of CollectA “Prehistoric Life” figures: CollectA Prehistoric Life.

For the CollectA Deluxe scale models: CollectA Deluxe Scale Models and Figures.

To read an article describing the amazing preservation of the Borealopelta fossil: Amazing Armoured Dinosaur Fossil Reveals Camouflage and Shading.

For an article outlining the discovery of the tapejarid Caiuajara: New Species of Flying Reptile from a Pterosaur Graveyard.

Model Measurements

  • CollectA Supreme Deluxe Caiuajara with moveable jaw length = 19 cm, height = 23.5 cm.
  • The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Borealopelta length = 15 cm, height = 4.5 cm.
  • CollectA Box of Mini Prehistoric Animals – models measure around 3 cm long with some models up to 4.2 cm in height.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

1 11, 2018

Everything Dinosaur October Newsletter

By |2023-11-06T06:50:44+00:00November 1st, 2018|Adobe CS5, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Newsletters, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Rebor “Vanilla Ice”, Papo Update and the CollectA Brontosaurus

The October newsletter from Everything Dinosaur features the Rebor “Vanilla Ice” tyrannosaur figures, a Papo update and the CollectA Brontosaurus.  The latest Rebor figures, the “Vanilla Ice” – Jungle (green colour scheme) and the “Vanilla Ice” – Mountain (slate grey colour scheme), have arrived at the company warehouse and after having alerted all those customers who had requested a model to be reserved for them, a newsletter was emailed out announcing that these two excellent figures were in stock.

The Two Tyrannosaur Figures “Vanilla Ice” Mountain and Jungle Headline the Everything Dinosaur October Newsletter

The Everything Dinosaur newsletter features the Rebor "Vanilla Ice" Mountain and Jungle.
The Rebor “Vanilla Ice” Jungle and Mountain tyrannosaur figures feature in the October newsletter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Rebor Replicas in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

The Rebor 1/35th scale tyrannosaur figures are stunning models.  Each figure measures 42 centimetres approximately and both Mountain and Jungle have articulated lower jaws and poseable tails.  In addition, to the arrival of these two tyrannosaurids, lots of other Rebor figures have come back into stock, including the very popular “Scout” series featuring juvenile dinosaurs such as “Hazelnut”, a young Triceratops and “Stan”, a baby Velociraptor.

To view the range of Rebor figures and replicas available from Everything Dinosaur, including the “Vanilla Ice” tyrannosaurs and the “Scout” series models: Rebor Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Lots of Rebor Replicas and Figures Have Come Back into Stock at Everything Dinosaur

The Everything Dinosaur October newsletter features lots of Rebor models.
Rebor models feature extensively in the October newsletter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The October newsletter features the set of hatching Velociraptors.  These hand-painted Rebor Velociraptor figures are supplied in a mystery blind box.  With nine different designs in the series, these little pocket money models are fun to collect.

Papo Prehistoric Animals and the CollectA Brontosaurus

Everything Dinosaur has also received a big shipment of Papo figures.  The majority of the Papo range is now in stock at Everything Dinosaur including the superb Spinosaurus juvenile, the Iguanodon and the new for 2018 Quetzalcoatlus figure.

Papo Models and the New for 2018 CollectA Brontosaurus

The CollectA Brontosaurus and the Papo model range.
Papo figures and the new for 2018 CollectA Brontosaurus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Papo range: Papo Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The newsletter features the Papo Ceratosaurus figure, a famous dinosaur from the Morrison Formation of the western United States.  Another replica of a Morrison Formation dinosaur is included as well, the CollectA Brontosaurus model.  The CollectA Brontosaurus measures an impressive 30.5 centimetres long and the head height of this sauropod model is a fraction under 11 centimetres.

To view the CollectA model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life.

Everything Dinosaur newsletter subscribers are amongst the first to learn about new models coming into stock.  Subscribers can also be the first to join a priority reserve list to ensure that they can acquire new figures.  Our newsletter is sent out periodically and it is free to join.

To reserve a Rebor replica figure such as the Velociraptor figure “Sweeney” for example, or to request a subscription to Everything Dinosaur’s regular company newsletter, simply drop us an email: Email Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The newsletter is a great way for our customers to be kept informed and to stay in touch with developments at Everything Dinosaur.”

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