In 1971, Water Coombs revealed a paper titled The Ankylosauridae. In it, he argued that there was just one species of ankylosaurid dwelling through the Campanian age of Late Cretaceous North America and synonymized Anodontosaurus, Dyoplosaurus, and Scolosaurus with Euoplocephalus. Newer papers would overturn Coombs’s paper, discovering every of these genera to be legitimate, however the implications of that paper can be far reaching, particularly in paleoart. For more often than not since that paper was revealed depictions of Euoplocephalus armor ended up being largely primarily based on NHMUK R5161, the fantastically preserved Scolosaurus holotype. Fairly often, bits have been used from different genera too, making many reconstructions of Euoplocephalus hybrids of varied genera.
Once I determined that I wished to overview the Euoplocephalus from Haolonggood I didn’t assume I must take a deep dive into Campanian ankylosaurid taxonomy, however I used to be clearly mistaken. I debated how closely I wished to get into it however to do that determine justice I spotted I couldn’t ignore it, a lot to my dismay. Afterall, how do we all know the Haolonggood Euoplocephalus is a Euoplocephalus in any respect? Plenty of chatter throughout the web appears to counsel it’s a Scolosaurus.
In figuring out this toy as Euoplocephalus it’s essential to know that every genus as soon as lumped with it has a particular association of caputegulae (armor on the pinnacle). For the sake of time and sanity (the pinnacle is smaller than my fingertip) I’m solely going to give attention to the obvious head ornamentation, the squamosal horns. Scolosaurus has lengthy backswept squamosal horns whereas Euoplocephalus has pointed pyramidal squamosal horn. I feel the pinnacle of the Haolonggood mannequin matches higher with Euoplocephalus.
The pinnacle form can also be appropriately vast, blunt, tall, and sloping, with a triangular form when seen from above. The nostrils are precisely ahead going through, not like these in Ankylosaurus that are on the perimeters of its head. A cluster of what may be osteoderms might be seen between the squamosal and quadratojugal horns. In the event that they’re meant to be osteoderms then their presence is inaccurate. Scolosaurus and Anodontosaurus would have had them there, however not Euoplocephalus. I wouldn’t take into account their presence diagnostic although. Haolonggood was most likely simply placing osteoderms there so as to add element and never giving it as a lot thought as some collectors would possibly.
Extra importantly than the pinnacle in diagnosing this determine as Euoplocephalus is the construction of the cervical half rings on the neck. In Scolosaurus, the 2 medial osteoderms are considerably flat and possess a centrally positioned bump. In Euoplocephalus, these similar two osteoderms are keeled and spiked. Based mostly on that, this mannequin represents Euoplocephalus. I need to be aware nevertheless that the determine solely has 4 osteoderms on every cervical half ring when it ought to have six. Maybe Haolonggood referenced Gregory Paul’s skeletal drawing, which additionally contains solely 4 osteoderms per half ring.
Talking of Gregory Paul, his affect on this mannequin will also be seen with the tail membership. In Paul’s skeletal, the Euoplocephalus has an axe formed membership with pointed sides. That is just like the tail membership of Anadontosaurus, not Euoplocephalus, which might have had a spherical tail membership.
I’m about performed addressing accuracy, however it’s price mentioning that the general physiology of the toy is appropriate for an ankylosaurid. It has a squat, vast, flattened physique. The limbs are surprisingly dainty for such a solidly constructed animal. The forelimbs possess 5 digits with the final two lowered. They need to even be clawless however aren’t, though they’re too small to be price caring about. Three digits are sculpted on the hindlimbs. The “deal with” of the tail is appropriately skinny and stiffened. All of the effective particulars that make ankylosaur toys enjoyable to carry and study are there, with a lot of smaller osteoderms packed in between the bigger ones.
There are different issues we may scrutinize, just like the small osteoderms on the base of the big osteoderms, however this overview is already lengthy, and we’ve solely mentioned identification and accuracy to date. Crucial options have been addressed: the pinnacle, cervical half rings, and tail membership.
Full disclaimer, whereas I did do plenty of analysis to prep for this overview, I’m not a paleontologist, don’t like pretending to be one, and ankylosaurid taxonomy is a large number. If I obtained any particulars incorrect or missed one thing, be at liberty to say it within the feedback. Additionally, this endeavor would have been not possible with out Victoria Arbour’s Pseudoplocephalus weblog (here, here, and here).
Euoplocephalus is estimated to have measured 17’ (5.3 meters) lengthy. The Haolonggood determine measures about 6.75” (17 cm) which places the determine at about 1/30 in scale. The determine is marketed as being 1/35 in scale. The determine is positively cute, fortunately trotting together with two limbs kicking off the bottom. The pinnacle is lifted excessive and alert with a cute little smirk and a worry-free expression. I’ve seen some individuals criticize the smile and marvel why it’s there, however I don’t assume it’s meant to be a smile, the dinosaur simply has a naturally upturned mouth. Plenty of animals seem like they’re perpetually smiling however aren’t actually, like dolphins and turtles.
This determine comes with two totally different paint jobs. There’s a darkish one with boring orange osteoderms and an orange one with darkish osteoderms. Each look nice however I considerably randomly went with the darker determine. It’s darkish grey over the again with a pink wash. The flanks and underside transition to mild pink. The deal with of the tail can also be pink. A lot of the smaller osteoderms are brown with the bigger ones being brown on the base and extra orange in the direction of the ideas. The tail membership is grey with a white wash over it, and the toenails are black. The eyes are blue with black pupils and seem vast open and alert, which provides to the lovable issue. The paint software is superb, and the paintjob fits the determine effectively even when it’s a bit typical.
Aesthetically, the Haolonggood Euoplocephalus is a effectively crafted and charming little toy with plenty of character. Scientifically, it’s not good (I blame Greg Paul), however that is nonetheless one of the best Euoplocephalus accessible. The Haolonggood Euoplocephalus is at present in manufacturing and retails for about $20.
Help the Dinosaur Toy Weblog by making dino-purchases via these hyperlinks to Ebay and Amazon. Disclaimer: hyperlinks to Ebay.com and Amazon.com on the Dinosaur Toy Weblog are sometimes affiliate hyperlinks, whenever you make purchases via these hyperlinks we could make a fee
Trending Merchandise
