PNSO: New for 2022

[suspsy]

I don't know what those present at the forum are doing, but I wrote my first scientific article in 1990. And my supervisor taught me responsibility. Read the works of Feyerabend on the principles of the functioning of science in order to get rid of the reverence for the word "scientist". Science is full of crooks and irresponsible people who dream of fame and grants. A piece of the lower jaw cannot be the basis for isolating the genus. Megalosaurus has been a phantom for 200 years. And a symbol

None of what you wrote above in any way supports your argument that Zhuchengtyrannus isn't a valid taxon. For that matter, Megalosaurus is also a valid taxon. And your statement that a piece of lower jaw cannot be diagnostic is just plain false. Have you ever actually worked with fossil bones? Have you even read the paper describing Zhuchengtyrannus?

[Gothmog the Baryonyx]

I am pleased that PNSO are reading a Zhuchengtyrannus (which is definitely a valid taxon, unlike a certain other Tyrannosaur they've released). I can now finally sell my Fukui Museum Zhuchengtyrannus and Sinoceratops diorama. And this is a really nice figure, again, nicer than Wilson 2 which I will be replacing with the Beasts of the Mesozoic Tyrannosaurus WWD later.
I would not buy a Daspletosaurus from PNSO because I have the Safari, which has lips, and PNSO wouldn't give it lips so I will not replace it, one of the reasons I didn't get the PNSO Qianzhousaurus. I would consider Albertosaurus and Gorgosaurus though, but probably not both.

[Antey]

In short, this new figurine is a common commercial ploy. Like a feathered T Rex with parrot lips. Collectors like a bright figure on a shelf or a "new look" whose novelty lies in the writing on the label. Science is not important here
  Fashion matters. Therefore, collectors vote for lips and feathers. It's progressive! And the principles of serious science, when you need to check the opinion for years before publication, are forgotten. It's important to sell yourself. The consequences of this are especially evident here.

[Antey]

I am pleased that PNSO are reading a Zhuchengtyrannus (which is definitely a valid taxon, unlike a certain other Tyrannosaur they've released).

Explain what you mean? Which taxon of tyrannosaurids released by the PNSO is less diagnosable than a piece of Juchengtiran bone? All released are represented by whole skeletons of more or less complete safety.

[suspsy]

In short, this new figurine is a common commercial ploy. Like a feathered T Rex with parrot lips. Collectors like a bright figure on a shelf or a "new look" whose novelty lies in the writing on the label. Science is not important here
  Fashion matters. Therefore, collectors vote for lips and feathers. It's progressive! And the principles of serious science, when you need to check the opinion for years before publication, are forgotten. It's important to sell yourself. The consequences of this are especially evident here.

This also does not remotely support your claim that Zhuchengtyrannus isn't a valid taxon, let alone your claim that single bones cannot possibly be diagnostic. Science is firmly against you, I'm afraid.

And @Gothmog the Baryonyx is referring to Nanotyrannus, which has repeatedly been determined to be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.

[SidB]

This immanent release is a pleasant surprise, if for no other reason that it was unexpected. For myself, having ordered/received the first four of the eight new projected releases (Triceratops, Iguanodon, Centrosaurus and Styracosaurus), I anticipated the following four to appear sequentially following Chinese New Year. Surprise -this present appears in the midst of the eight. No complaints, for sure.

[CARN0TAURUS]

In short, this new figurine is a common commercial ploy. Like a feathered T Rex with parrot lips. Collectors like a bright figure on a shelf or a "new look" whose novelty lies in the writing on the label. Science is not important here
  Fashion matters. Therefore, collectors vote for lips and feathers. It's progressive! And the principles of serious science, when you need to check the opinion for years before publication, are forgotten. It's important to sell yourself. The consequences of this are especially evident here.

Haven't dinosaurs always had a "commercial" side since the very beginning with the first discoveries?  I appreciate the work that was put into creating this figure, it's quality is undeniable and that's just from the photographs!  I don't think PNSO should be deterred from making obscure figures based on scant remains.  As a lipless theropod guy (me too) I would think a release like this would please you not make you upset.

[Lynx]

don't mind me buying this as Wilsons female partner instead of leg-fractured Andrea

[Shonisaurus]

The zhuchentyrannus can be totally speculative as highly understood members of the DTF from the scientific point of view say, but for me it was a species of tyrannosaurid that I wanted him to do PNSO, I hope he will be encouraged to do other species of the tyrannosaurid family such as alioramus, daspletosaurus , albertosaurus or gorgosaurus. For me, it is welcome on the part of the PNSO that they have bothered to make that figure. I really like Asian dinosaurs and all the dinosaurs from the five continents need a lot of love and in this aspect PNSO is also focusing on making dinosaurs from its continental area.

On the other hand, the model is of a beauty that leaves Wilson's initial tyrannosaurus that he made years ago in the background. It's a great job by PNSO. I hope that one day shop.modellpferdeversand.de will sell it in their store to buy it.

[Skorpio V.]

I suppose at 28.5 cm long, this would make a more suitable companion to their pinnochio Gamba at 30 cm.If the Acrocanthosaurus leans more toward 1:40 as well, that'd allow for a smaller Big 3, switching out the Tyrannosaurus, Giganotosaurus, and Spinosaurus for Zhuchengtyrannus, Carcharodontosaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus or Tarbosaurus for the timebeing.

[stargatedalek]

In short, this new figurine is a common commercial ploy. Like a feathered T Rex with parrot lips. Collectors like a bright figure on a shelf or a "new look" whose novelty lies in the writing on the label. Science is not important here
  Fashion matters. Therefore, collectors vote for lips and feathers. It's progressive! And the principles of serious science, when you need to check the opinion for years before publication, are forgotten. It's important to sell yourself. The consequences of this are especially evident here.

Haven't dinosaurs always had a "commercial" side since the very beginning with the first discoveries?  I appreciate the work that was put into creating this figure, it's quality is undeniable and that's just from the photographs!  I don't think PNSO should be deterred from making obscure figures based on scant remains.  As a lipless theropod guy (me too) I would think a release like this would please you not make you upset.

Right from the beginning, some people were thinking of dinosaurs as bird relatives, and some as lizard relatives. Rather than reconstruct them as if they were anything like modern reptiles however, they were deliberately stylized and fashioned after depictions of mythical beasts of lore. This was done purposefully to better capture public expectation and opinion at the time, and frankly the whole industry is still trying to drag itself out of that hole.

Like the Crystal Palace dinosaurs used stylization to remind people of biblical behemoths, we now see some try to capture public support in the same manner, playing off of "Jurassic Park was right, feathers lame!".

[Skorpio V.]

Also, looks like the tier list will have to be updated! 

Now that some YouTubers and forum members have started to get their Centrosaurus in, I've added it and the Styracosaurus. Boy, is it hard to frame a ceratopsian skull into a square

https://tiermaker.com/create/pnso-prehistoric-models-1432826

[TheCambrianCrusader]

Oooh I like that Zhuchengtyrannus, might be the best tyrannosaur they've put out.
That being said Zhuchengtyrannus is a bit too similar to T.rex and Tarbosaurus for me to really want it.
Glad it exists and that Zhucheng finally has a good figure but I'm prob gonna pass on it.

[Bread]

Typical speculation. What can a piece of the lower jaw say about the length of the tail and the shape of the growths on the skull? I am silent about intraspecific variability. It's just that insufficiently responsible scientists like to think of themselves as a discoverer.

Correct me if I am wrong, but numerous prehistoric and dead extant animal remains can sometimes tell a lot about possible proportions. Some note worthy examples include Crocodile and Alligator skull measurements can be measured to calculate their possible total body length. Besides this point, another way to calculate Zhuchengtyrannus' proportions would be to compare the specimen found to that of its relatives, like Tyrannosaurus, to gain a possible estimate. Although not 100% accurate nor reliable, it gives us an estimate, which is good enough for the time being.

[Faras]

What are these individual bones worth? Yes, they are probably tyrannosaurid bones. But there are no articulated skeletons in any way complete. Therefore, Juchengtiran is a nomen dubium. At best, this is an individual of the Tarbosaurus.

*shrugs* these bones probably belong to Zhuchengtyrannus until someone proves Tarbosaurus exist in Campainian Shandong. Besides, AFAIK majority of valid dino taxa don't have "articulated skeletons in any way complete".

[SRF]

I really hope the final product matches the prototype more than PNSO's other recent releases did. The Styracosaurus and Centrosaurus really are a bit underwhelming in that department, while PNSO did a much better job in maintaining the prototype colors in the past. Especially in their theropods by the way, so that gives me some hope.

[Skorpio V.]

Pretending that Lu Xiong is actually just a sub-adult Tyrannosaurus, the lankier-than-average legs can be explained by younger individuals like Jane having longer legs (which PNSO oddly omitted for their "Nanotyrannus" if we pretend that too is a Tyrannosaurus).

[CARN0TAURUS]

Pretending that Lu Xiong is actually just a sub-adult Tyrannosaurus, the lankier-than-average legs can be explained by younger individuals like Jane having longer legs (which PNSO oddly omitted for their "Nanotyrannus" if we pretend that too is a Tyrannosaurus).

@Skorpio V.

I think it's interesting how differently you and I interpreted the legs.  To me they do not look lanky or long at all.  To me they look healthy and thick and they are just extended because of the pose.  Look at the small image on the top left where the figure is propped up on it's clear stand.  You can see his right leg is at the fullest extension he can be at while still having his right foot planted on the ground. 

Too many theropod poses show these animals with a lot of bend in the joints like they're doing squats or going to the toilet.  This looks like he's extending to his full height either to look over something or to make himself look taller for a rival.  A lot of animals prop themselves up to make themselves look taller when confronted by a challenger.  To me this just looks like a pose of normal animal behavior.

[SRF]

Pretending that Lu Xiong is actually just a sub-adult Tyrannosaurus, the lankier-than-average legs can be explained by younger individuals like Jane having longer legs (which PNSO oddly omitted for their "Nanotyrannus" if we pretend that too is a Tyrannosaurus).

@Skorpio V.

I think it's interesting how differently you and I interpreted the legs.  To me they do not look lanky or long at all.  To me they look healthy and thick and they are just extended because of the pose.  Look at the small image on the top left where the figure is propped up on it's clear stand.  You can see his right leg is at the fullest extension he can be at while still having his right foot planted on the ground. 

Too many theropod poses show these animals with a lot of bend in the joints like they're doing squats or going to the toilet.  This looks like he's extending to his full height either to look over something or to make himself look taller for a rival.  A lot of animals prop themselves up to make themselves look taller when confronted by a challenger.  To me this just looks like a pose of normal animal behavior.

Well this Zhuchentyrannus does have proportionally longer legs than Wilson and it is an overall more slender animal. So the legs are lankier than average for T. Rex standards. But that can still mean that they are massive.

[Skorpio V.]

Pretending that Lu Xiong is actually just a sub-adult Tyrannosaurus, the lankier-than-average legs can be explained by younger individuals like Jane having longer legs (which PNSO oddly omitted for their "Nanotyrannus" if we pretend that too is a Tyrannosaurus).

@Skorpio V.

I think it's interesting how differently you and I interpreted the legs.  To me they do not look lanky or long at all.  To me they look healthy and thick and they are just extended because of the pose.  Look at the small image on the top left where the figure is propped up on it's clear stand.  You can see his right leg is at the fullest extension he can be at while still having his right foot planted on the ground. 

Too many theropod poses show these animals with a lot of bend in the joints like they're doing squats or going to the toilet.  This looks like he's extending to his full height either to look over something or to make himself look taller for a rival.  A lot of animals prop themselves up to make themselves look taller when confronted by a challenger.  To me this just looks like a pose of normal animal behavior.

I like this take on it as well! I think this model is a mix of both of these characteristics (slightly longer legs and outstretched pose) which I want more of. My original post wasn't to say they were disproportionate, because they are entirely plausible lengths. I just wanted to make sure anyone plotting to say the legs "look too long" had someplace to look for interpretation before they raked it across the coals