Our thanks to Mojo Fun for sending Everything Dinosaur some new images of the Mojo Fun prehistoric life dinosaur models. The images we received includes a clever illustration of a Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex model.
We think this T. rex dinosaur model was introduced into the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct range in 2020. It has certainly proved to be popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors. The manufacturer has paid tribute to dinosaurs in films by mimicking a famous scene from the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” franchise.
Mojo Fun pays tribute to the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” franchise with this clever piece of artwork featuring a Mojo Fun T. rex model.
Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex
The Mojo Fun T. rex figure is escaping from captivity. The image parodies scenes from the famous Universal Studio’s film franchise.
The Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex Deluxe figure measures around 30 cm in length. Team members at Everything Dinosaur estimate its head height to be approximately 11 cm.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Every dinosaur fan will get the connection between the Mojo Fun T. rex image and the movies. There are rumours circulating that a new film in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” franchise will be released in 2025. Mojo Fun’s timing of the release of this new image is apposite.”
With the publication of the scientific paper announcing the discovery of Eoneophron infernalis, we at Everything Dinosaur thought we would take a closer look at the Caenagnathidae. The Caenagnathidae family (pronounced seen-nag-nay-thid-ay), are part of the Oviraptorosauria clade of maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs. They are closely related to the oviraptorids (Oviraptoridae family).
A scale drawing of a dinosaur (Anzu wyliei). This dinosaur is a member of the Caenagnathidae family, and its fossils come from the Hell Creek Formation (Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Maniraptora clade consists of coelurosaurian dinosaurs and is defined as including the birds and the non-avian dinosaurs more closely related to them than to Ornithomimus velox. As well as containing the Oviraptorosauria, this clade also includes several other groups such as the dromaeosaurids, the Troodontidae family and the therizinosaurs.
The Oviraptorosauria clade* is comprised of the Caudipteridae family and two closely related dinosaur families the Caenagnathidae and the Oviraptoridae that together are classified as the Caenagnathoidea. The Oviraptorosauria are united by having very bird-like skeletons, with highly pneumatised bones. In addition, the rostrum is very short, and these dinosaurs have beaks. The beak is often, but not always edentulous (no teeth). These dinosaurs were all probably feathered.
An Oviraptor dinosaur model (CollectA Age of Dinosaurs).
The image (above) depicts an Oviraptor model from the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs range.
The Caenagnathidae Family and Eoneophron infernalis
The family Caenagnathidae, together with its closely related sister family the Oviraptoridae, comprises the superfamily Caenagnathoidea. Virtually all known members of this superfamily are confined to the Late Cretaceous. Taxonomically the Caenagnathidae is defined as Chirostenotes pergracilis and all other theropods more closely related to it than they are to Oviraptor philoceratops.
Most of these dinosaurs tend to be quite small. As a result, they are probably underrepresented in the fossil record. For example, Anzu wyliei was thought until recently to be the only caenagnathid from the Hell Creek Formation. However, there are probably at least three caenagnathids present in Hell Creek strata, including the recently named Eoneophron infernalis.
The femur (left) and right tibia (right) of Eoneophron. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.
Caenagnathids Not Closely Related to Ostriches
The Caenagnathidae family was originally erected by Raymond Martin Sternberg (1940), the son of the pioneering palaeontologist Charles Mortram Sternberg. Raymond Martin Sternberg thought that these dinosaurs were flightless birds. He erected the Caenagnathidae family which translates as “recent jaws”. It was mistakenly thought that these theropods were closely related to the Palaeognathae “old jaws” bird family. Extant palaeognath birds include the flightless Kiwi, the Ostrich and the Rhea as well as volant forms such as Tinamou birds. It is now known that the Caenagnathidae family of non-avian dinosaurs are not closely related to palaeognaths.
Caenagnathids are confined to the Late Cretaceous of Asia and North America. They tend to have small heads, long necks and short tails.
Time-calibrated Oviraptorosauria clade consensus tree showing the position of Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Atkins-Weltman et al.
Challenging Phylogenetic Assessment
Whilst the fragmentary nature of most caenagnathid specimens makes phylogenetic assessment challenging, in the recent Eoneophron infernalis paper the researchers undertook a time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis of the Oviraptorosauria. Eoneophron was placed as a sister taxon to Citipes elegans and Elmisaurus rarus.
The difficulties involved in classifying oviraptorosaurs is exemplified by this placement. Although skeletal similarities between these three dinosaurs exist, there is a lack of comparable fossil material to study. Citipes elegans is geologically older. Its fossils come from the Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation of Alberta (Campanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). In contrast, Elmisaurus rarus probably predates Eoneophron infernalis by a couple of million years. It too is from the Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Cretaceous. However, E. rarus fossils come from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia.
A revision of already described specimens coupled with improved fossil sampling should help palaeontologists to gain a better understanding of the taxonomy of the Oviraptorosauria and specifically the enigmatic Caenagnathidae.
The Oviraptorosauria clade* also includes some other theropods regarded as basal members of this clade. For example, Incisivosaurus gauthieri from the Early Cretaceous of China.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to photograph the life-size Deinonychus replicas on display at the London Natural History Museum. These animated figures can be found in the Blue Zone of the Museum.
Visiting Deinonychus
Team members are not sure when the duo were installed in the Dinosaurs Gallery, but we estimate that these life-size replicas have been at the Museum for more than a decade.
Life-size Deinonychus replicas on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Animated Deinonychus Dinosaur Models
The robotic armature permits these figures to move. The models can lift their heads, open their jaws and make a bow-like gesture to visitors. There is audio too. The Deinonychus replicas make a hissing sound. It reminds us of the sound a cat makes when it is frightened or being threatened.
New for 2020 the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Deinonychus dinosaur model. A replica of this large dromaeosaurid.
The picture (above) illustrates Deinonychus. This model is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range of replicas.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“There are lots of amazing exhibits at the London Natural History Museum. However, we always like to say hello to the pair of Deinonychus figures. A visit is not complete until we have spent a little time in their company.”
On the subject of a visit, take a look at the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website.
An award-winning and user-friendly dinosaur themed website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur team members had the opportunity to view the five new Mojo Fun repaints for 2024 at the recent Spielwarenmesse trade fair in Germany. The repainted dinosaur models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur soon. The five figures include the Parasaurolophus (biped and quadruped stance), the Baryonyx, Troodon and a Stegosaurus.
The five repainted Mojo Fun dinosaur models for 2024. The standing Parasaurolophus (left) and the Parasaurolophus in the quadrupedal pose (mid left). The repainted Baryonyx is at the back and the Stegosaurus repaint is also at the back (back right). A pair of Troodon repaints can be seen (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Whilst there are new dinosaur models scheduled for 2025, the 2024 offering consists of five repainted figures. The Mojo Fun repaints for 2024 are listed below:
Standing Parasaurolophus.
Quadrupedal Parasaurolophus.
Stegosaurus.
Troodon with an articulated jaw.
Baryonyx with an articulated jaw.
The repainted Mojo Fun Baryonyx figure for 2024. This figure has a muted colour scheme compared to the original Mojo Fun Baryonyx. The articulated jaw has been retained. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We had the opportunity to see the new Mojo Fun repaints at the recent Spielwarenmesse in Germany. We were particularly impressed with the paint schemes. The Baryonyx and the Troodon figures are our personal favourites.”
Newly published research examining dinosaur locomotion and comparing it with other archosaurs suggests that the way in which dinosaurs moved could have given them a competitive advantage.
The research was undertaken by a team from the University of Bristol. It has been published today in Royal Society Open Science. The team’s findings indicate that the earliest dinosaurs were simply faster and more dynamic than their competitors. Perhaps the greater locomotor plasticity of dinosaurs gave them a distinctive advantage over other terrestrial animals. This may help to explain why the dinosaur/pterosaur/bird branch of the archosaurs, the Avemetatarsalia eventually outcompeted the archosaur crocodilian lineage (Pseudosuchia).
Studying Dinosaur Locomotion
The researchers compared the limb proportions of an extensive range of archosaurs that lived during the Triassic. In total, the limb proportions of 208 taxa were studied. The research team identified which of these tetrapods was quadrupedal (four-footed) or bipedal (two-footed). The cursoriality index of each animal was also examined. The cursoriality index is essentially a measure of running ability.
The results demonstrated that the earliest dinosaurs and their close relatives were bipedal and cursorial – they had limbs adapted for running. These animals, members of the Avemetatarsalia subgroup of the archosaurs had a much wider range of running styles compared to the other archosaur lineage, the Pseudosuchia.
Evolutionary tree showing how dinosaur limb adaptation expanded through the Triassic period until it was greater overall than the spread of locomotion types in their competitors, including pseudosuchians, other avemetatarsalians, and other archosaurs. These changes also included many early dinosaurs with strong adaptations to cursoriality (running). Mass extinctions are marked along the time scale: PTME, Permian-Triassic mass extinction; CPE, Carnian pluvial episode; ETME, end-Triassic mass extinction). Picture credit: Amy Shipley.
A Higher Range of Locomotory Modes by the Avemetatarsalia
The Pseudosuchia include the ancestors of extant crocodilians. Some were small, bipedal insectivores, but most were medium-to-large-sized carnivores and herbivores, and they were very successful throughout the Triassic. The research team calculated that the Dinosauria and other members of the Avemetatarsalia, maintained a higher range of locomotory modes throughout this period.
Lead author of the study Amy Shipley commented:
“When the crunch came, 233 million years ago, dinosaurs won out”.
The MSc Palaeobiology student at the University of Bristol added:
“At that time, climates went from wet to dry, and there was severe pressure for food. Somehow the dinosaurs, which had been around in low numbers already for twenty million years, took off and the pseudosuchians did not. It’s likely the early dinosaurs were good at water conservation, as many modern reptiles and birds are today. But our evidence shows that their greater adaptability in walking and running played a key part.”
Evolution of the thigh bone (femur) through the Triassic, starting with a very limited array of shapes, and ending with a broad array of shapes for the dinosaur femur (high disparity), indicating a wide range of locomotion modes. Picture credit: Amy Shipley.
The End Triassic Mass Extinction Event (ETME)
Co-author of the paper, Professor Mike Benton explained that at the end of the Triassic there was a mass extinction event. Most of the pseudosuchians died out, except for the ancestors of today’s crocodilians. The surviving dinosaurs expanded their range of locomotion again, taking over many of the empty niches in food webs.
Co-author Dr Armin Elsler added:
“When we looked at evolutionary rates, we found that in fact dinosaurs were not evolving particularly fast. This was a surprise because we expected to see fast evolution in avemetatarsalians and slower evolution in pseudosuchians. What this means is that the locomotion style of dinosaurs was advantageous to them, but it was not an engine of intense evolutionary selection. In other words, when crises happened, they were well placed to take advantage of opportunities after the crisis.”
An illustration of the early dinosaur Eoraptor lunensis from the Upper Triassic Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina. Picture credit: Nobu Tamura.
Could Dinosaur Locomotion be Key to Their Evolutionary Success?
Fellow collaborator Dr Tom Stubbs stated that the word “dinosaur” conjures up in the public’s imagination a slow-moving, large and lumbering animal. The first dinosaurs, animals such as Eoraptor lunensis were very different. The first members of the Dinosauria were small and agile.
Dr Stubbs said:
“The first dinosaurs were only a metre long, up high on their legs, and bipedal. Their leg posture meant they could move fast and catch their prey while escaping larger predators.”
Co-author Dr Suresh Singh concluded:
“And of course, their diversity of posture and focus on fast running meant that dinosaurs could diversify when they had the chance. After the end-Triassic mass extinction, we get truly huge dinosaurs, over ten metres long, some with armour, many quadrupedal, but many still bipedal like their ancestors. The diversity of their posture and gait meant they were immensely adaptable, and this ensured strong success on Earth for so long.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from Bristol University in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Locomotion and the early Mesozoic success of Archosauromorpha” by Amy E. Shipley, Armin Elsler, Suresh A. Singh, Thomas L. Stubbs and Michael J. Benton published in Royal Society Open Science.
A new species of Jurassic pterosaur has been described based on fossils found on the Isle of Skye. The new flying reptile has been named Ceoptera evansae (Ki-yo-op-ter-rah evans-say). It lived around 168-166 million years ago (Bathonian faunal stage of the Middle Jurassic). It has been classified as part of the controversial Darwinoptera clade. The discovery of Ceoptera demonstrates that this clade was considerably more diverse than previously thought. The Darwinoptera are now thought to have persisted for more than twenty-five million years and probably had a worldwide distribution.
The Isle of Skye around 168 million years ago. A flock of Ceoptera take to the skies as turtles look on and a group of sauropods wander towards the treeline. A large pterosaur is seen overhead, we suspect that this is a solitary Dearc sgiathanach. Picture credit: NHM and Mark Witton.
The artist has depicted a single, slender-winged pterosaur soaring high above the Ceoptera flock. We suspect that this is a representation of the recently described rhamphorhynchid Dearc sgiathanach.
The fossil remains were found partially exposed on a large boulder situated a few metres from the cliffs on the north side of Glen Scaladal at Cladach a’Ghlinne, a small beach that forms part of the coastline of Loch Scavaig, on the Strathaird Peninsula, Isle of Skye. The fossil bearing rocks are associated with the Kilmaluag Formation. The density and hardness of the matrix, coupled with the fragile nature of the fossil bones made the specimen unsuitable for mechanical preparation.
A complex process of acid bath immersion was undertaken to weaken the matrix and to expose the bones. The acid immersion, stabilising via rinsing and oven drying was repeated twenty-nine times in order to get the bones suitably prepared for analysis and CT scanning.
The fossilised remains of Ceoptera evansae. The slab (top left) contains the shoulder region, parts of the wing and vertebrae. Picture credit: Trustees of the Natural History Museum London.
Ceoptera evansae
The discovery of Ceoptera underpins a new and more complex model for the early evolution of pterosaurs. Flying reptile fossils from the Middle Jurassic are extremely rare. Those that have been found are relatively incomplete and fragmentary. Whilst no cranial material is associated with Ceoptera evansae, this discovery demonstrates that the major Jurassic pterosaur clades were present before the end of the Early Jurassic.
The fossils also provide important new information concerning the geographic and stratigraphic range of the controversial clade Darwinoptera. It had been thought that this species-poor group were largely restricted to the Upper Jurassic of eastern Asia. With the discovery of Ceoptera it suggests that these pterosaurs were both temporally and geographically widespread.
Many of the bones remain completely embedded in rock and can only be studied using CT-scanning. This pterosaur is one of the first flying reptiles to be digitally assessed using scans and computer modelling.
Senior author of the paper, Professor Paul Barrett (London Natural History Museum), stated:
“Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China. It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution.”
A three-dimensional model showing the layout and configuration of the fossil material. Picture credit: Liz Martin-Silverstone.
Ceoptera evansae – What’s in a Name?
The generic name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word cheò or ceò (pronounced ‘ki-yo’), meaning mist. This is a reference to the common Gaelic name for the Isle of Skye Eilean a’ Cheò, or Isle of Mist), and the Latin ptera, meaning wing (feminine).
The species name honours Professor Susan E. Evans. It was Professor Evans who first became aware of the Glen Scaladal site’s potential for vertebrate fossils.
Lead author Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone, a palaeobiologist at the University of Bristol explained:
“The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance. To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the press team at the University of Bristol and a media release from the London Natural History Museum in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland and the early diversification of flying reptiles” by Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone, David M. Unwin, Andrew R. Cuff, Emily E. Brown, Lu Allington-Jones and Paul M. Barrett published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
To discover a new dinosaur species might mark the high point of a long career in palaeontology for some scientists. However, for one Oklahoma State University (OSU) student they can already put a tick in the “named a new dinosaur box” on their curriculum vitae. Kyle Atkins-Weltman (PhD student in the School of Biomedical Sciences), was studying a selection of foot and leg bone fossils of what was thought to be a juvenile Anzu wyliei. Remarkably, analysis of the fossils indicated that these bones came from a mature animal and as such they represented a new dinosaur species. Based on these findings, Kyle was able to erect a new Hell Creek theropod – Eoneophron infernalis.
Limb bones of the newly described Hell Creek Formation caenagnathid Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.
The picture (above) shows limb bones from the newly described caenagnathid. Metatarsals (left) with the right tibia (centre) and a femur (right).
Pharaoh’s Dawn Chicken from Hell
Bone histology revealed the fossils to represent a dinosaur at least six years of age when it died. These were not the bones from a juvenile A. wyliei, but from a smaller but closely related theropod species. The student named the new dinosaur Eoneophron infernalis. It translates as “Pharaoh’s dawn chicken from Hell”. Team members at UK-based Everything Dinosaur pronounce this dinosaur as ee-on-oh-fron in-fur-nal-lis.
The name honours the description of the Anzu taxon as well as the student’s late beloved pet, a Nile monitor lizard named Pharaoh.
Oklahoma State University PhD student Kyle Atkins-Weltman. Picture credit: Matt Barnard/OSU Centre for Health Sciences.
Eoneophron infernalis and Implications for Caenagnathid Diversity
Previously, only one caenagnathid (Anzu wyliei) was known from the Hell Creek Formation. It was formally named and described in 2014 (Lamanna et al). Palaeontologists were aware of smaller, fragmentary fossil bones representing caenagnathids from the Hell Creek Formation. It was unclear whether these fossils represented distinct, undescribed taxa or juvenile A. wyliei specimens. Eoneophron infernalis is estimated to have stood around one metre high at the hips and weighed approximately seventy kilograms. In contrast, Anzu wyliei was much larger, with a hip height of about 1.5 metres and weighing three hundred kilograms.
This new taxon is also distinct from other small caenagnathid material previously described from the area. Scientists postulate that there are potentially three distinct caenagnathid genera in the Hell Creek Formation. These results show that caenagnathid diversity in the Hell Creek ecosystem has probably been underestimated.
A life reconstruction of Eoneophron infernalis (left), an as yet, undescribed caenagnathid MOR 752 (bottom), and Anzu wyliei (right). Picture credit: Zubin Erik Dutta.
A Feathered Dinosaur
When asked to describe Eoneophron infernalis, Kyle highlighted how closely related to birds these dinosaurs were. He stated:
“It was a very bird-like dinosaur. It had a toothless beak and a relatively short tail. It’s hard to tell its diet because of the toothless beak. It definitely had feathers. It was covered in feathers and had wings.”
Co-author of the scientific paper and Kyle’s faculty advisor Associate Professor Eric Snively commented:
“Kyle is the first student researcher at OSU-CHS to reveal, describe and name a new dinosaur.”
When it looked like the fossils may not belong to an Anzu, Atkins-Weltman turned to caenagnathid researchers Greg Funston, PhD, a palaeontologist with the Royal Ontario Museum in Ontario, Canada, and palaeontology PhD candidate Jade Simons with the University of Toronto for their assistance.
He was also able to involve Associate Professor of Anatomy Dr Holly Woodward Ballard, an expert in bone histology.
A view of the metatarsal bones of Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.
A Thrilling Discovery
Kyle Atkins-Weltman explained that his project and published findings would not have been possible without his co-authors and those who assisted him.
He added:
“It was really thrilling. Based on the work and research I do, I never thought I would be someone to discover a new dinosaur species.”
Eoneophron infernalis life reconstruction. Picture credit: Zubin Erik Dutta.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from Oklahoma State University in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new oviraptorosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the end-Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation of North America” by Kyle L. Atkins-Weltman, D. Jade Simon, Holly N. Woodward, Gregory F. Funston and Eric Snively published in PLOS One.
Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a new drawing of Carnotaurus sastrei. The abelisaurid drawing will be used in the company’s updated Carnotaurus fact sheet. The Carnotaurus fact sheet is sent out with sales of Carnotaurus models and figures.
Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a new drawing of a Carnotaurus (C. sastrei). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Carnotaurus sastrei
This large theropod was named and described in 1985 by José Fernando Bonaparte. Bonaparte was an extremely influential figure in the development of palaeontology in South America. He is responsible for the scientific description of numerous dinosaurs from Patagonia, and he inspired a new generation of Argentinian palaeontologists.
The Carnotaurus illustration was inspired by the CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Carnotaurus sastrei figure. This popular dinosaur model was introduced in 2019.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs 1:40 scale deluxe Carnotaurus dinosaur model.
A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur explained that for the vast majority of models and figures that the company supplies a free fact sheet about that prehistoric animal is sent out. Hundreds of fact sheets have been researched and written.
The spokesperson added:
“We continue to add to our free fact sheet inventory. The last two new fact sheets we introduced were for the tyrannosaur Alectrosaurus and the South American theropod Megaraptor namunhuaiquii. We commission illustrations of prehistoric animals such as Carnotaurus and this drawing will be used to update the scale drawing on our Carnotaurus fact sheet.”
Everything Dinosaur team members were given the opportunity to handle the prototype for the new Papo Suchomimus dinosaur model. This new Papo dinosaur was on display at the Spielwarenmesse (Nuremberg, Germany). It is one of three new Papo dinosaur models due to be released this year (2024). The Papo Suchomimus is scheduled to be in stock in quarter 4 of 2024.
Sue Judd (Everything Dinosaur) carefully holding a prototype of the new for 2024 Papo Suchomimus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
This new spinosaurid figure is going to be available after the Papo Corythosaurus and the Ampelosaurus models. It is likely to be available in the latter part of the year. The model at the tradeshow was not an actual production figure. It is a prototype that will assist with the painting guide required for when these models are made at scale.
A close-up view of the Papo Suchomimus dinosaur prototype model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur
Sue Judd from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This new Suchomimus figure is stunning! We were given the opportunity to handle all three new for 2024 Papo dinosaurs. However, this Suchomimus model is very precious as it is effectively the prototype. It really is a beautiful model, and we hope our photographs do it justice.”
The Papo Suchomimus model is scheduled to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur towards the end of 2024. We hope our photographs have whetted the appetites of Papo fans and model collectors.
Team members photographed a sauropod skin impression whilst visiting the London Natural History Museum. The specimen is part of the Patagotitan exhibition entitled “Titanosaur – Life as the Biggest Dinosaur”. Although most visitors probably overlook this fossil it is perhaps one of the most important fossil specimens on display in this part of the museum.
A detailed analysis of the skin impression provided new information on the anatomy of sauropods. A study revealed features on the skin that might explain how these dinosaurs were able to grow so big.
A sauropod skin impression (NHMUK R1868) on display as part of the London Natural History Museum Patagotitan exhibition. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Studying a Sauropod Skin Impression
This is a fossilised imprint of sauropod skin. It is specimen number NHMUK R1868. It was the first skin impression to be described in any non-avian dinosaur. The fossil, discovered in 1852 provided the first evidence that sauropods had scaly skin. The impression was formed when the skin of a carcase was pressed into soft mud. This left an impression of the skin contours imprinted on the sediment. Over millions of years the ground hardened into rock.
The fossil was discovered in Hastings along with a large forelimb. The material comes from the Hasting Beds, which are part of the Wealden Group and represent Lower Cretaceous deposits. The sauropod, possibly a basal titanosaur, has been named Haestasaurus becklesii. The skin impression is thought to have come from the forearm, the presence of smaller scales at one end of the specimen suggests that the skin impression might have come from the elbow area. The smaller scales would have permitted greater flexibility in the joint.
Sue from Everything Dinosaur poses in front of the colossal Patagotitan skeleton which is being exhibited at the Natural History Museum (London). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Patagotitan dinosaur model. The long neck and tail may have helped with thermoregulation, enabling this super-sized tetrapod to lose heat efficiently.
The image above shows the recently introduced Wild Safari Prehistoric World Patagotitan dinosaur model.
A paper published in February 2022 (Pittman et al) examined NHMUK R1868 in detail using laser-simulated fluorescence (LSF). This technique reveals much more detail at the microscopic level than exposure to normal light and UV light. The researchers discovered that the skin was covered in tiny bumps (papillae). These convex bumps increased the surface area of the skin, and it was thought that they played a role in thermoregulation.
Large animals, such as sauropods need to find ways to stop their bodies overheating. The extended surface area of their long necks and tails would have helped, but the researchers speculate that these small bumps greatly increased the skin surface area, thus permitting more efficient heat exchange between their bodies and the environment.
A review of other sauropod skin fossils demonstrated that intrascale papillae were unique to and widespread across the Neosauropoda. This suggests that this trait evolved early in the Sauropoda, and it might explain why these types of dinosaurs were able to grow so big and to become giants.
The scientific paper: “Newly detected data from Haestasaurus and review of sauropod skin morphology suggests Early Jurassic origin of skin papillae” by Michael Pittman, Nathan J. Enriquez, Phil R. Bell, Thomas G. Kaye and Paul Upchurch published in Communications Biology.
