--> , thermoregulatory structures, due to their blood filled nature, or all of the above. Whichever it is, this new discovery shows us that our understanding of integument in Dinosaurs and other extinct creatures is incredibly limited and still full of surprises…
Along with overlapping dorso-caudal scutes and large flattened caudal scales, Haolong was covered in small spines. The purpose of these is so far unclear, however the current hypotheses land on them being defensive structures, display structures->
Haolong dongi, the “Porcupine” Iguanodont. At about 2.5 meters long, not much would stand out about this Hadrosauroid had we just their skeletal remains, but thanks to the preservational nature of the Yixian Formation, we’ve come to uncover amazing details about the anatomy of this animal #sciart 🧵>
"tyrannosaurus rex" is kinda one of the craziest called shots of all time if you think about it some dude in 1905 was like 'this was definitely the most badass dinosaur so I will name it as such' and 120 years of research and new discoveries keeps proving him right.
Making sure the soft tissues and framework were not just copies of Orangutan tissues was of the utmost importance. That extends into the coloration as well. Enjoy the most recent reconstruction, along with 3 others from a few years ago🦧
At a forest clearing, you're greeted by the guardian, the wise old man of the forest, Gigantopithecus blacki. Recent commission of the big guy, inspired by #prehistoricplaneticeage. Although this guy is a Pongine-->
Nanotyrannus lancensis (pencil lines, 2025)
Nanotyrannus lancensis (pencil lines, 2025)
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quite a bit has changed, particularly in our fundamental understanding of soft tissue, pattern development in carnivores and the taxonomy of Hyaenodonts. Burian was just one of those guys who knew his stuff with what he had 😉
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glad you like it!
means so much, ty🙏🏾💙
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Kamlesh Pillai
Andrew Parkinson
Florida Museum of Natural History
Pellitteri-Rosa et al., 2020
Larger surface areas are also at play, along with the pressures of your prey having particularly sharp color and central vision. Being dashing doesn't have to mean being super bright, many opt in for a trick: contrast. Combine that with seasonal coloration n changes in behavior, you're all set
Pre-Zanno & Napoli (2025) reconstruction of BMRP 2002.4.1, AKA N. lethaeus
Finding the balance between the pressures of developing disruptive coloration and conspicuousness (pattern development directed at conspecifics) is a tight line to walk when you're a 1-2 ton reptilian predator. The energetic and nutritional expenses of developing bright and complex colors over-->
A male Nanotyrannus lancensis sports their sharp and contrasting breeding season colors. They lift their head up and catch the whiff of the promise of hope... a female...
Ultimately, I would revisit the facial tissue a few years later, adding more extensive narial carilage and prominent nasolabial muscles (and corresponding mystacial pad). This is important to note, as many mammal reconstructions undersell just how much tissue is present, aiding the animals in life
Once the dental, skeletal base and it's muscular landmarks were created, the rest of the animal could come to life. The pattern chosen after much trial and error, would reflect the predatory nature of this species, living along the forest floor and understory.
Reconstructing a hypothetical adult took a lot of digging through literature surrounding the anatomy and build of related Proviverrine and Sinopine Hyaenodonts. This would inform the proportions, build of the muscles and key anatomical traits displayed in these families.
