August, 2019 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

11 08, 2019

PNSO Megalodon (2019) Video Review

By Mike|2023-12-27T10:08:09+00:00August 11th, 2019|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

A Video Review of the PNSO Megalodon Model (Patton)

Our thanks to the talented “Matthew the Dinosaur King” for posting up a video review of the recently introduced PNSO Megalodon model with an articulated lower jaw. In this short video review, the narrator discusses the taxonomy of this famous prehistoric shark and then examines the model in detail.

The Video Review of the PNSO Megalodon Shark Model

Video credit: Matthew the Dinosaur King

Ancestor of the Great White Shark?

In this very informative video, Matthew comments on the problems involved with classifying this prehistoric fish when palaeontologists have only got the teeth and a few calcified vertebrae to study. He points out that most scientists consider this shark to be a member of the Odontidae family (pronounced Oh-don-tid-day). It had been thought that this prehistoric shark was closely related to and the direct ancestor of the Great White shark (Carcharodon carcharias).

PNSO Megalodon

It is likely that Megalodon filled a similar position in the marine ecosystem as the extant Great White, that of an apex predator, hunting and consuming a wide variety of prey including marine mammals. Any resemblance between Carcharodon carcharias and Megalodon (now, commonly described as Carcharocles megalodon), could be attributed to convergent evolution. In 2012, Everything Dinosaur produced a short article about a fossil discovery that indicated that Great White sharks could be descended from ancient Mackerel sharks: Getting Our Teeth into the Origins of the Great White Shark.

The Video Review Also Shows the PNSO Megalodon Packaging

The packaging of the PNSO Megalodon model "Patton". — *The beautifully designed box of the PNSO Megalodon model “Patton”. This aspect of the new PNSO “Patton” model is commented upon in detail in the video review.*

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

What is in the PNSO Megalodon Box?

The reviewer takes time to examine the packaging of this model. The box is examined in detail and the clear plastic support base that helps to protect the model in transit is shown. The plastic base can be used to help display this figure, although it does balance quite well on its pectoral and small pelvic fins.

In the video, the articulated jaw of this figure is highlighted. Other models of Megalodon have been produced before, for example, the narrator comments on the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Megalodon model (introduced in 2014), but “Patton” as PNSO has named this shark figure, has an articulated lower jaw.

A Close View of the Articulated Lower Jaw of the PNSO “Patton” the Megalodon Shark Figure

Mind your fingers! A view of the PNSO "Patton" Megalodon model. — *A close up view of the PNSO “Patton” Megalodon model. Mind your fingers!*

Video image credit: Matthew the Dinosaur King

A New for 2019 Shark Figure

This new for 2019 PNSO figure has certainly proved popular with collectors. This is the second Carcharocles megalodon model to have been produced by PNSO, both figures are available (whilst stocks last from Everything Dinosaur). Our thanks to model collector Luke who sent into us a photograph of his recently purchased pair of “Pattons”. Both the figure with the articulated jaw and the larger model with a stand, are called “Patton”.

The Two PNSO Megalodon Models on Display

Thank you Luke for sending in pics of his two PNSO Megalodon shark models. — *Thanks to Luke for sending in pics of his two PNSO Megalodon shark models.*

Picture credit: Luke

We thank Luke for his photograph and for “Matthew the Dinosaur King” for providing such an excellent video review.

Everything Dinosaur recommends that readers subscribe to the YouTube channel of “Matthew the Dinosaur King”: “Matthew the Dinosaur King” on YouTube.

To see all the PNSO prehistoric animal models currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur, including the two PNSO Megalodon figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Note

This genus has been reclassified and most palaeontologists accept the binomial name of Otodus megalodon.

10 08, 2019

A Very Mammal-like Cynodont from Argentina

By Mike|2023-12-27T10:00:42+00:00August 10th, 2019|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Pseudotherium argentinus – A Very Mammal-like Cynodont from the Triassic of Argentina

Scientists have described a new species of cynodont, from a single, well-preserved skull found in north-western Argentina. The animal has been named Pseudotherium argentinus and although this animal was not a mammal, the skull shows some very mammal-like characteristics. For example, the cochlea is elongated but uncoiled and this feature is reminiscent of basal mammaliamorphs, the lineage that was to lead to true mammals and of course, ultimately, our own species.

CT Scan (Right Lateral View of the Skull of Pseudotherium argentinus

Pseudotherium Skull. — *Computer generated model of the skull of Pseudotherium. The skull in right lateral view with the cross-sectional profile indicated by the dotted line shown in white.*

Picture credit: PLOS One

A Cynodont Helping to Unravel Mammal Evolution

Classified as a member of the Probainognathia, one of two clades within the Infraorder Eucynodontia, which includes modern mammals, the skull shows an enlarged braincase, large eye-sockets and other anatomical traits that indicate that this animal might have been developing the heightened senses associated with more advanced therapsids.

The fossil was found in 2006 during a field trip to the Ischigualasto Formation carried out by the Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales of the Universidad Nacional de San Juan. The strata in this region is believed to be between 231 and 226 million years old approximately. The researchers conclude that Pseudotherium, the name means “false wild beast [mammal]” in reference to its mammal-like skull, may lie just inside or very close to the Mammaliamorpha, indicating that it might be a transitional form between the Probainognathia and basal mammals.

Many of the mammal-like cynodont specimens known, have badly crushed and deformed skulls. Their state of preservation prevents palaeontologists from identifying key anatomical changes leading to more advanced therapsids. The research team hope to recover more specimens from the Ischigualasto Formation which will shed further light on the evolution of our early mammal ancestors.

The scientific paper: “First record of a basal mammaliamorph from the early Late Triassic Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina” by Rachel V. S. Wallace, Ricardo Martínez and Timothy Rowe published in PLOS One.

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9 08, 2019

New Prehistoric Animal Model from Eofauna Scientific Research

By Mike|2023-12-27T09:57:13+00:00August 9th, 2019|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

New Prehistoric Animal Model from Eofauna Scientific Research

Our chums at Eofauna Scientific Research will be bringing out two new prehistoric animal models this autumn. Eofauna Scientific Research has produced a trio of stunning prehistoric animal figures and by the end of the year, a further two beautiful replicas will join their range, both of which will be available from Everything Dinosaur. Which Eofauna prehistoric animal will be in stock first?

Which prehistoric animals will be depicted? We know, but we are not going to reveal what they are just yet, model collectors will have to wait a little while to find out. However, just for a bit of fun, in association with Eofauna Scientific Research we have put together a little teaser – can you guess which prehistoric animal it is?

Which Prehistoric Animal Figure Will Eofauna Produce Next?

Which prehistoric animal figure will they produce next? — *Eofauna Scientific Research which prehistoric animal figure will they produce next?* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Eofauna Prehistoric Animal Guessing Game

Something like 1,200 dinosaur genera have been described to date. Scientists have named around 120 different types of pterosaur and hundreds of genera of prehistoric mammal have been erected. Then of course you have all the amazing and bizarre Palaeozoic creatures to consider. The Trilobita alone has approximately 20,000 different species arranged in ten orders (sometimes 9 depending on the taxonomy, which is still debated).

Our apologies if you don’t like prehistoric animal guessing games, feel free to attribute blame to Everything Dinosaur, we suggested to Eofauna that providing a “teaser” about new models would be a good way to develop a sense of anticipation and help raise awareness about their range of replicas.

The Eofauna Scientific Research Model Range at the Beginning of 2019

The Eofauna model range (2018). — Eofauna model range at the beginning of 2019. Far left the straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), in the middle a Steppe Mammoth (Mammuthus trogontherii) and far right, the theropod dinosaur Giganotosaurus carolinii.

Commissioning a Scientific Drawing

As well as making preparations for the arrival of a new prehistoric animal model, team members at Everything Dinosaur will be commissioning a scientific drawing to be used in association with this new Eofauna Scientific Research figure.

Previous Scientific Drawing That Have Been Commissioned – Eofauna Scientific Research Models

Three Eofauna replicas illustrated. — *Illustrations based on the three Eofauna replicas (left to right), Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Mammuthus trogontherii and Giganotosaurus carolinii.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

The first of the new for 2019 Eofauna models should be with us in late October, the second figure should follow about 14 days later. Naturally, the figures could arrive sooner, they could arrive later, but model collectors can be assured these two new models are worth the wait and we look forward to revealing the first of these new 2019 figures in about a week.

We are looking forward to receiving into stock the new Eofauna prehistoric animal figures.

To view the current range of Eofauna Scientific Research models available from Everything Dinosaur: Eofauna Scientific Research Models.

8 08, 2019

The Very Peculiar Parrots of Ancient New Zealand

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:48:43+00:00August 8th, 2019|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Heracles inexpectatus – A Prehistoric Parrot

We had known about this for a little while, but we wanted to keep our beaks firmly shut until the scientific paper had been published, the biggest parrot known to science has been announced. The metre tall, most probably flightless psittaciform roamed the South Island of New Zealand around 19 million years ago. Named Heracles inexpectatus it was part of a bizarre Miocene-aged biota that existed in New Zealand, the remains of which have been excavated from a riverbank on the Manuherikia River, Home Hills Station, Otago (Bannockburn Formation).

The fossil deposits are close to the small town of St Bathans, this area is renowned for its remarkable fossil deposits that record life in a sub-tropical forest environment which surrounded a huge, lake, which at its largest extent covered an area equivalent to nearly four times the size of the city of London.

A Life Reconstruction of Heracles inexpectatus

Picture credit: Dr Brian Choo (Flinders University)

Heracles inexpectatus – A Flightless Forager

Writing in “Biology Letters”, the researchers which include Associate Professor Trevor Worthy (Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia), suggest that this parrot weighed around seven kilogrammes, and if it did, this makes it twice as heavy as the largest living parrot, the Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), which also comes from New Zealand. H. inexpectatus has been described based on partial lower leg bones (the shafts of the left and right tibiotarsi), which were collected in January 2008. These two bones probably came from the same individual and since no other fossils related to a giant parrot have been found in the St Bathans area before, the discovery was quite unexpected, hence the trivial name of this new parrot species.

Comparing the Fossil Bone to the Leg Bones of an Extant Kakapo (Largest Living Parrot)

Comparing the fossil leg bone of the giant extinct parrot Heracles to the leg bones of the largest living parrot - the Kakapo. — *Heracles leg bone (top) compared to the lower leg bones of a Kakapo parrot (bottom).*

Picture credit: Flinders Palaeontology Laboratory

Commenting on this quite surprising discovery, Associate Professor Worthy stated:

“New Zealand is well known for its giant birds. Not only moa dominated avifaunas, but giant geese and adzebills shared the forest floor, while a giant eagle ruled the skies. But until now, no-one has ever found an extinct giant parrot – anywhere.”

Carnivore or Omnivore?

It is the leg bones that give an indication of the bird’s size. What it ate can be speculated upon, for example, in the absence of large mammalian predators Heracles could have been an apex predator, perhaps a hypercarnivore. The rarity of the fossils, could indicate it was relatively uncommon and therefore likely to be near the top of an ancient food chain.

Associate Professor Worthy added:

“We have been excavating these fossil deposits for 20 years, and each year reveals new birds and other animals. It [Heracles] was likely a flightless forager who ate abundantly on fruit and seeds but may have preyed on small animals that it could dig out of logs, or even snack on dead or dying moa.”

Co-author Professor Mike Archer (University of New South Wales), suggests that the feeding habits of such a large parrot could have been quite gruesome.

He explained:

“Heracles, as the largest parrot ever, no doubt with a massive parrot beak that could crack wide open anything it fancied, may well have dined on more than conventional parrot foods, perhaps even other parrots.”

More Amazing Fossil Finds from Otago Likely

Whilst the discovery of a giant prehistoric parrot is quite remarkable, the researchers are confident that the Miocene-aged sedimentary strata in this area (Manuherikia Group), will yield even more amazing fossils in the future. In these rocks, palaeontologists have discovered the fossilised remains of around forty different types of bird, as well as bats, frogs and a crocodilian.

These fossil deposits have provided palaeontologists with an insight into the rich avian fauna of prehistoric New Zealand. In 2018, Everything Dinosaur wrote about the discovery of fragmentary bones that suggested a type of prehistoric pigeon inhabited New Zealand during the Early Miocene: A New New Zealand Pigeon from the Early Miocene.

What’s in a Name?

A number of media outlets reporting this discovery have stated that the genus name Heracles honours the Greek hero (Hercules), renowned for his great strength. That is true, but the inspiration behind the genus name is a little more subtle than that. Some of the authors of this scientific paper about Heracles, were also involved in the discovery and naming of another much smaller parrot species from the Bannockburn Formation.

Nelepsittacus was named and described in 2011, its genus name was inspired by Neleus, who in Greek myth was the son of Poseidon and Tyro. Neleus refused to release Hercules from a debt and was murdered by Hercules, so it seemed logical to give the much larger psittaciform from the St Bathans Fauna a name honouring Hercules.

The scientific paper: “Evidence for a giant parrot from the early Miocene of New Zealand” (2019) by Trevor H Worthy, Suzanne J Hand, Michael Archer, R Paul Scofield and Vanesa L De Pietri published in Biology Letters.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 08, 2019

Everything Dinosaur Video – Papo Pentaceratops and Papo Gorgosaurus

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:41:04+00:00August 7th, 2019|Adobe CS5, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Papo Pentaceratops and Papo Gorgosaurus Video

Over the last few months, team members at Everything Dinosaur have been working on an exciting new project. We have been converting part of our warehouse area into a bespoke film studio so that we can take more photographs and produce more videos of prehistoric animal models that we sell.

Everything Dinosaur used to make quite a few videos for posting up onto the company’s YouTube channel, but our ability to shoot these videos was lost when the boardroom that we used was no longer available. So, we have invested in a new film studio and although it is far from complete, we still have to sort out the sound quality and to bring in the studio lighting and such like, we have shot our first video.

The Papo Pentaceratops and Gorgosaurus Models

With the arrival of the eagerly anticipated Papo Gorgosaurus and Papo Pentaceratops figures we took the opportunity to shoot, a short (rather unsteady) video of these two amazing models.

Introducing the Papo Gorgosaurus and the Papo Pentaceratops Dinosaur Models

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

To purchase these Papo dinosaur models and to see the rest of the Papo prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Papo Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Papo Gorgosaurus

The dinosaur known as “fierce or dreadful lizard”, arrived in stock a few days ago, we expect to sell out of this first batch of models very shortly, but not to worry more Papo Gorgosaurus models are on their way. This dinosaur model is proving to be very popular with collectors, we have received lots of emails enquiring about this tyrannosaurid, almost as soon as we posted up some pictures of this model around six months ago.

The New for 2019 Papo Gorgosaurus Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Papo Pentaceratops Model

One of a number of horned dinosaur figures produced by Papo over the years, the Pentaceratops has a very unusual pose. It is depicted rearing up onto its hind legs as if confronted by a meat-eating dinosaur.

Although roughly contemporaneous with Gorgosaurus (G. libratus) – Campanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous, these dinosaurs lived on different parts of the North American landmass known as Laramidia. Fossils of Pentaceratops are known from the south-central United States (Colorado and New Mexico), whilst Gorgosaurus is known from the Canadian province of Alberta, although there is some evidence to support the idea that this theropod genus roamed Montana. Even if this is the case, there would have been hundreds of miles between any population of Gorgosaurus and a herd of Pentaceratops dinosaurs.

There is no evidence in the fossil record that these two dinosaurs ever met, there is, (as far as Everything Dinosaur is aware), no evidence of interspecific combat between these two species – however, this does not stop us from posting up a video, or indeed taking some photographs of the models together.

The Papo Gorgosaurus Confronts the Rearing Papo Pentaceratops

The new for 2019 Papo Pentaceratops and the Papo Gorgosaurus dinosaur models. — *The new for 2019 Papo Gorgosaurus and the Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur models. The Papo Gorgosaurus (left) confronts the rearing Papo Pentaceratops (right).* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Team members are looking forward to posting up more videos and taking more photographs in our bespoke studio, we even promise to do something about our video camera shake!

Please feel free to take a look at our YouTube channel we shall be posting up more videos very soon.

Here is a link to the YouTube channel of Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur on YouTube.

6 08, 2019

New Dinosaur Species Discovered “Hiding in Plain Sight”

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:33:41+00:00August 6th, 2019|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

The Sauropodomorph Ngwevu intloko “Hiding in Plain Sight”

The fossilised remains of a dinosaur that once roamed South Africa some 200 million years ago and that had lain mislabelled in a university vault for three decades has been identified as an entirely new species of dinosaur, a discovery that helps to demonstrate that ecosystems that developed shortly after the end-Triassic extinction event were much more specious than previously thought. The dinosaur has been named Ngwevu intloko.

A View of the Skull of the Newly Described Sauropodomorpha N. intloko in the University of Witwatersrand Collection

Ngwevu fossil skull (BP/1/4779. — *The skull of the newly described South African sauropodomorph Ngwevu intloko.*

Picture credit: Kimberley Chapelle (University of Witwatersrand)

A New Dinosaur Species – Ngwevu intloko

The dinosaur has been named Ngwevu intloko and it was PhD student Kimberley Chapelle (University of Witwatersrand), whilst working with her supervisors mapping the extensive fossil material associated with Massospondylus (M. carinatus), that first realised that the well-preserved skull and postcranial remains could represent a new species. Hundreds of fossils including several nearly complete skulls have been ascribed to Massospondylus (M. carinatus), since it was described by Richard Owen (later Sir Richard Owen) in 1854. The skull (specimen number BP/1/4779), had been part of the University of Witwatersrand vertebrate fossil collection for years, but it had been thought that this was just an unusual example of this species.

Co-author of the scientific paper, which has been published in the journal PeerJ, Professor Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum, London explained:

“This is a new dinosaur that has been hiding in plain sight. The specimen has been in the collections in Johannesburg for about thirty years and lots of other scientists have already looked at it. But they all thought that it was simply an odd example of Massospondylus.”

Views of BP/1/4779 – The Skull of Ngwevu intloko

Views of the skull of N. intloko. — *Views of the skull of Ngwevu intloko. Views of BP/1/4779 in (A) right lateral view, (B) dorsal view and (C) left lateral view. Scale bar = 1 cm.*

Picture credit: Kimberley Chapelle (University of Witwatersrand)

A Diverse Sauropodomorpha Fauna of South Africa During the Early Jurassic

Using a variety of techniques including computerised tomography (CT) scans and three-dimensional bone mapping, the team identified a total of sixteen cranial and six postcranial characteristics that supported the establishment of a new dinosaur species. Deformation due to the fossilisation process and ontogeny were ruled out as the basis of these traits, thus leading to the conclusion that these fossils did not represent Massospondylus, but a different, albeit related dinosaur. Ngwevu was a bipedal omnivore with a small head, long neck and a robust, chunky body. It is estimated to have reached a length of about three metres or so. Analysis of bone cross sections indicate that the specimen would have been about ten years old when it died.

A Life Reconstruction of N. intloko

Drawing of Ngwevu intloko (based on Lufengosaurus). — *A drawing of Ngwevu intloko (based on Lufengosaurus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Potentially More Sauropodomorphs to be Identified from Massospondylus Fossil Material

Up until recently, Massospondylus (M. carinatus) was thought to be the only sauropodomorph represented by fossil material from the Lower Jurassic upper Elliot and Clarens formations of southern Africa, but there are now known to have been several different genera present, some of which were to eventually give rise to the huge sauropods of the Late Jurassic. Scientists are now starting to take a closer look at many of the supposed Massospondylus specimens, believing there to be much more variation than first thought.

Sauropodomorpha from the Elliot Formation include:

Antetonitrus ingenipes
Massospondylus kaalae
Aardonyx celestae
Ignavusaurus rachelis
Arcusaurus pereirabdalorum
Pulanesaura eocollum
Ledumahadi mafube to read an article about the naming and scientific description of L. mafube: New Giant Dinosaur from South Africa.

This new research, helping to support the idea that there were many different types of sauropodomorphs in this part of Gondwana during the Early Jurassic, will help scientists to better understand how ecosystems recovered after the end-Triassic extinction event.

A Three-dimensional Digital Reconstruction of the Skull

Ngwevu intloko fossil skull - digital reconstruction. — *A digital reconstruction of the skull of Ngwevu intloko.*

Picture credit: Kimberley Chapelle (University of Witwatersrand)

An Interesting New Species of Dinosaur

Professor Paul Barrett commented:

“This new species is interesting, because we thought previously that there was really only one type of sauropodomorph living in South Africa at this time. We now know there were actually six or seven of these dinosaurs in this area, as well as a variety of other dinosaurs from less common groups. It means that their ecology was much more complex that we used to think. Some of these other sauropodomorphs were like Massospondylus, but a few were close to the origins of true sauropods, if not true sauropods themselves.”

This research shows the value of revisiting specimens in museum collections, as many news species are probably sitting unnoticed in cabinets around the world, an example of dinosaurs “hiding in plain sight”.

The scientific paper: “Ngwevu intloko: a new early sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation of South Africa and comments on the cranial ontogeny in Massospondylus carinatus” by Kimberley E.J. Chapelle, Paul M. Barrett, Jennifer Botha and Jonah N. Choiniere published in PeerJ.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

6 08, 2019

Protecting the Dinosaurs of the Isle of Skye

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:31:25+00:00August 6th, 2019|General Teaching|Comments Off on Protecting the Dinosaurs of the Isle of Skye

Further Legal Protection for Isle of Skye Dinosaurs

The internationally-recognised fossil bearing strata that dates from the Middle Jurassic on the Isle of Skye has been granted greater legal protection. Earlier this month, the Scottish Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Mairi Gougeon signed a Nature Conservation Order (NCO), aimed at protecting globally significant vertebrate fossil sites on the Scottish Island.

Many Dinosaur Fossils Including Footprints have been Discovered on the Isle of Skye

Dinosaur footprint. — *A dinosaur footprint from the Isle of Skye.*

Picture credit: Colin MacFadyen (Scottish National Heritage)

Protecting the Isle of Skye Fossil Sites

The principle aim of the Nature Conservation Order is to prevent rare vertebrate fossils such as dinosaur footprints and bones, along with marine reptiles and fossil evidence of early mammals, being collected and removed by non-authorised parties. The Nature Conservation Order also aims to encourage local people and the wider public, including the thousands of tourists that visit Skye each year, to take an interest in and report any potentially important fossil discoveries.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

5 08, 2019

Papo Gorgosaurus and Papo Pentaceratops in Stock

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:28:14+00:00August 5th, 2019|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Papo Gorgosaurus and Papo Pentaceratops in Stock

The new for 2019 Papo Gorgosaurus and the Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. These eagerly anticipated Papo figures have arrived at our warehouse and team members are busying themselves emailing all our customers who reserved these wonderful new Papo dinosaurs.

The Papo Pentaceratops and the Papo Gorgosaurus are in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

Available from Everything Dinosaur the Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur model and the Papo Gorgorsaurus. — *In stock at Everything Dinosaur the Papo Gorgosaurus and the Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur models.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Papo Gorgosaurus

The Papo Gorgosaurus model is the second member of the Tyrannosauridae family to be depicted by Papo, after the ubiquitous Tyrannosaurus rex. The Gorgosaurus figure reflects the fossil record in that this model is considerably smaller than the various Papo T. rex models. It measures around eighteen centimetres in length and the head of the dinosaur is approximately eight centimetres off the ground.

The Papo Gorgosaurus Model Compared to the Papo Allosaurus

The Papo Gorgosaurus compared to the Papo Allosaurus dinosaur model. — In stock at Everything Dinosaur the Papo Gorgosaurus and the Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur models. The Papo Gorgosaurus (foreground), is compared to the recently introduced Papo Allosaurus dinosaur model (background). *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Papo Pentaceratops

Papo have produced a number of horned dinosaur models in the past. For example, this manufacturer has an adult Triceratops within its model portfolio and until recently a baby Triceratops (it is now retired), too. In addition, Papo did once have a Pachyrhinosaurus (also out of production), but the Papo Styracosaurus model is still available. Although Pentaceratops means “five-horned face”, this dinosaur had three anterior facing horns on its head. It may superficially resemble Triceratops but Pentaceratops is believed to be more closely related to Utahceratops from Utah.

The Papo Pentaceratops Dinosaur Model is in a Rearing Pose

An Unusual Pose

The Papo Pentaceratops dinosaur model stands an impressive nineteen centimetres high. This is an unusual pose for a horned dinosaur and it is difficult to provide an estimate of the scale of the model. Papo does not offer a scale size suggestion for their “Les Dinosaures” range, but based on an adult size for Pentaceratops sternbergii of around 6.3 metres, this new for 2019 Papo figure is in approximately 1:32 scale.

These splendid Papo dinosaurs can be viewed in the 2019 Papo collector’s booklet. This handy booklet is available free of charge to Everything Dinosaur customers.

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

Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

4 08, 2019

New Study Confirms Ichthyosaurs Had Tough Lives

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:23:57+00:00August 4th, 2019|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

The Hard, Tough Lives of Ichthyosaurs

A trio of scientists have published a study looking at signs of injury and disease in a range of ichthyosaur genera. Such studies have been undertaken before, indeed the authors of this new paper, published by the Royal Society Open Science, Judith M. Pardo-Pérez, Erin Maxwell (Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany) and Benjamin Kear (Uppsala University, Sweden) have examined pathologies in the giant ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus as recently as 2018, but this study takes a different approach.

The researchers looked in detail at one specific ancient ecosystem, analysing injuries and disease recorded in several different types of ichthyosaur and found some surprising results.

A Scale Drawing Illustrating the Size of the Superpredator Temnodontosaurus

Scale drawing of Temnodontosaurus. — Temnodontosaurus scale drawing. In this illustration the marine reptile is giving birth (these vertebrates were viviparous). A study was published in 2018 which examined pathologies associated with the skeleton of this apex predator. *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Ichthyosaur Pathology

Back in 2018, these scientists published a paper detailing the injuries and disease lesions (pathology), associated the ichthyosaur superpredator Temnodontosaurus. They found that despite its size, growing up to ten metres in length, these predators led quite tough lives, given the healed wounds, evidence of trauma and signs of disease preserved in their fossils.

In this new paper, published last week, the scientists examined the fossils of five different ichthyosaurs known from a single fossil deposit (Posidonienschiefer Formation). These fossils from southern Germany, date from the Early Jurassic (Toarcian faunal stage) and represent a marine fauna that suffered a minor extinction event resulting in a significant faunal turnover amongst the vertebrates.

The five genera of ichthyosaur (Posidonienschiefer Formation) from the study in order of maximum size:

1). Hauffiopteryx (2.5 m long) – a relatively short-snouted genus that probably fed on small fish and squid.
2). Stenopterygius (3.5 m long) – feeding on small fish and squid.
3). Suevoleviathan (4 m long)- a primitive member of the Neoichthyosuria clade that with a short-snout that indicates a generalist feeding habit.
4). Eurhinosaurus (7 m long) – its elongated upper snout suggests a specialist position in the food chain, perhaps feeding on small fish or probing the seabed to feed on invertebrates.
5). Temnodontosaurus (up to 10 metres long) – the top predator in the ecosystem, attacking and eating other marine reptiles including ichthyosaurs.

Not Just Damaged Ribs

Damaged ribs are quite commonly found on ichthyosaur fossils, but in this study, a detailed examination of the entire fossilised remains of individual animals was carried out. The team examined the influence of taxa (which species demonstrated the greatest signs of trauma and disease), as well as which parts of the body were damaged the most, the influence of ontogeny and the impact of environmental change (early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event).

Examples of Pathologies in Ichthyosaurs from the Posidonienschiefer Formation

Ichthyosaur pathologies. — Examples of ichthyosaur pathologies from the Posidonienschiefer Formation. In picture (a) a fused (ankylosed) femur and fibula is indicated by the two black arrows, the species is Stenopterygius uniter. In picture (b) fused neural spines (ankylosis) is indicated by the single black arrow. The species is Stenopterygius quadriscissus.

Picture credit: Royal Society Open Science

Small-bodied Genera Do Best

Following the review of the skeletal material, the researchers found that the incidence of pathologies is dependent on the type of taxon being examined. Small-bodied genera such as Stenopterygius had fewer injuries, signs of disease and trauma when compared to larger-bodied ichthyosaurs. Within the Stenopterygius genus, the scientists discovered that more pathologies were identified in large adults when compared to smaller sized individuals. Stratigraphic horizon, a proxy for evidence of change within the ancient marine ecosystem did not influence the incidence of pathology associated with Stenopterygius.

The Research Team Carefully Examined an Extensive Portion of the Posidonienschiefer Formation Ichthyosaur Biota

Ichthyoaur pathology. — Evidence of pathologies found in ichthyosaur fossils. Photograph (C) shows a fractured and healed gastralia rib (belly rib) of a Hauffiopteryx (H. typicus). The black arrow indicates the break and the resulting callus. Photograph (D) shows a healed fractured rib from a Stenopterygius, the arrow indicating the break and showing the callus.

Picture credit: Royal Society Open Science

Skull and Forelimb Injuries

When all the data from the examined taxa was added together, it was no surprise that the rib area was identified as that part of an ichthyosaur’s body most likely to show signs of pathology. Around 8% of the specimens examined showed rib trauma. However, approximately 6% of skulls and 4% of forelimbs also showed pathologies. In contrast, those areas of the body showing the least signs of injury were the vertebrae and the hind limb.

The researchers concluded that within the fauna studied, ichthyosaurs appear to be similar to living vertebrates in which pathologies accumulate in the oldest/largest members of a population, and larger taxa experience proportionately more frequent skeletal traumas.

The scientific paper: “Palaeoepidemiology in extinct vertebrate populations: factors influencing skeletal health in Jurassic marine reptiles” by Judith M. Pardo-Pérez , Benjamin Kear and Erin E. Maxwell published in Royal Society Open Science.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

3 08, 2019

Legal Protection for Isle of Skye Fossil Sites

By Mike|2023-12-26T16:07:52+00:00August 3rd, 2019|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Vital Legal Protection for Isle of Sky Fossil Sites

Some very good news for scientists, conservationists and for anyone concerned with protecting the natural heritage of the UK. Internationally-recognised and extremely important Jurassic-aged fossil sites on the Scottish island of Skye, containing rare evidence of how dinosaurs and early mammals lived many millions of years ago, have been granted greater legal status. This will help to ensure their protection for future generations and provide greater security for future fossil discoveries.

A Tridactyl Dinosaur Footprint Preserved on the Shoreline of the Isle of Skye

Tridactyl dinosaur footprint (Isle of Skye). — *A three-toed dinosaur footprint on the Isle of Skye.*

Picture credit: Colin MacFadyen (Scottish National Heritage)

Legal Protection for Isle of Skye Fossils

Here is the full press release provided by Scottish Natural Heritage with some additional information from Everything Dinosaur:

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Mairi Gougeon, had signed a Nature Conservation Order (NCO) at Staffin Museum, home of dinosaur bones and footprints found nearby on the Isle of Skye. The key aim of the NCO is to prevent rare vertebrate fossils from being damaged through irresponsible collection and removal from Skye’s globally important fossil sites. Importantly, the NCO aims to encourage local people and the wider public to take an interest in and report any potentially important fossil finds.

A View of the Isle of Skye in the Middle Jurassic

Isle of Skye Sauropods. — *The Isle of Skye (Bathonian faunal stage). The Isle of Skye during the Middle Jurassic.*

Picture credit: Jon Hoad

Aiming to Deter Irresponsible Fossil Collecting

In the past, important fossil discoveries have been damaged by hammering, with specimens taken from the island and moved to private collections. In 2016, an attempt to take a plaster cast of a dinosaur footprint at An Corran risked significant damage to a feature that has become an important tourist attraction. To read Everything Dinosaur’s article about this: 165-million-year-old dinosaur footprints damaged.

Known as the dinosaur capital of Scotland, the rich Middle Jurassic fossil fauna of Skye is gradually being revealed with new discoveries continuing to be made. These include some of the first fossil evidence of dinosaur parenting. Housed at Staffin Museum, a rock slab shows the footprints of baby dinosaurs, together with the print of an adult. It is expected that Skye is also home to fossil remains of flying reptiles, and confirmation of this will firmly place the island in the international dinosaur hall of fame. The new legal protection will help to deter irresponsible fossil collecting on the island.

Commenting on the Legal Protection for the Isle of Skye Fossils

Commenting on the significance of the increased protection, Minister for the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said:

“Skye lays claim to the most significant dinosaur discoveries of Scotland’s Jurassic past and this Nature Conservation Order is a vital step in protecting and preserving this important part of our natural heritage for future generations. The Order gives extra legal protection to these special sites whilst providing for important artefacts to be collected responsibly for science and public exhibition, as Dugald Ross of the Staffin Museum has been doing since his first important discovery in 1982. I hope the Order gives even greater awareness of the significance of these important sites, and the important and valuable role everyone has in helping protect them.”

Everything Dinosaur team members have corresponded with Dugald Ross in the past. Sadly, our communications have mostly been about damage to fossil deposits and suspected thefts of fossil material.

To read an article from 2011 that reported on the damage caused to an important fossil site on the Isle of Skye: Important Jurassic Fossil Site Ransacked.

Colin MacFadyen, a geologist at Scottish National Heritage stated:

“This vital legal protection is important to ensure Skye’s unique dinosaur heritage is available for everyone to learn from and enjoy. The NCO covers areas of coastline where 165 million-year-old Middle Jurassic sedimentary rocks are gradually being eroded by the sea. It is crucial that the footprints and actual skeletal remains of dinosaurs and other vertebrates, that are being revealed by nature are protected. These fabulous fossil finds can help answer crucial questions about ancient ecosystems and pave the way for exciting advances in our understanding of vertebrate evolution.”

Dinosaurs and Mammal Fossil Evidence Too

The Minch Basin region of north-western Scotland partially consists of strata laid down in the Middle Jurassic, an important time in the evolution of the Dinosauria with many new families evolving. This period in Earth’s history also marks the evolution of a number of mammal genera. Unfortunately, there are very few fossil bearing exposures around the world that record evidence of life on our planet during this important period of terrestrial vertebrate evolution. The Isle of Skye is one of these locations, hence this new legal protection is extremely important.

Early Mammal Fossils Have Also Been Found on the Isle of Skye

Jawbone and line drawing of Wareolestes jawbone fossil. — *The fossil jawbone from the Isle of Skye (Wareolestes). The Middle Jurassic was also an important time for mammalian evolution.*

Staffin Museum owner Dugald Ross added:

“Everyone has a role to play in making the Order a success, and we are encouraging local people who think they may have found a vertebrate fossil – or a dinosaur bone or tooth – to contact Staffin Museum for advice. We are encouraging everyone to find, report and help protect – but not collect – Skye’s wonderful dinosaur heritage.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from Scottish Natural Heritage in the compilation of this article.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.