Within the wake of PNSO’s run of ceratopsians it seems as if they’ve moved on to a brand new succession of prehistoric animal figures, marine reptiles. Not simply any marine reptiles although, Triassic marine reptiles identified from China. This has dashed the hopes of these wishing for a brand new Mosasaurus or long-necked plesiosaur and people who focus solely on dinosaurs are beginning to tire of this newest wave of figures, however I couldn’t be happier. The Triassic is considered one of my favourite geologic durations and I recognize the variety of obscure genera we’re getting from PNSO. Right this moment we’re trying on the first determine to kick off this wave, the Guizhouichthyosaurus.
Guizhouichthyosaurus is a genus of Triassic ichthyosaur described in 2000 and found within the Xiaowa Formation of southwest China. For a time, it was lumped along with Shastasaurus. PNSO has additionally made a mannequin of one other ichthyosaur from the Xiaowa formation, Guanlingsaurus. Guizhouichthyosaurus is thought from quite a few specimens, together with an almost full 16’ (4.8 meters) particular person.
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Youran measures 8.25” (20.96 cm) in whole size whereas the precise Guizhouichthyosaurus measured 16-23’ (4.8-7 meters). This places the determine between 1/23-1/33 in scale. Gregory Paul offers an estimated size of 33’ (10 meters) in The Princeton Discipline Information to Mesozoic Sea Reptiles. Utilizing his estimate places the determine at 1/48 in scale.
The PNSO Guizhouichthyosaurus follows the everyday ichthyosaur physique plan with a slim snout and lengthy streamlined physique. The physique and tail are notably lengthy on Guizhouichthyosaurus and that’s effectively mirrored right here. The flippers are all lengthy, slim, and blade-like. The scale and placement of the dorsal fin and higher caudal lobe are speculative, since we don’t have these bits for Guizhouichthyosaurus. The determine is positioned with a delicate leftward bend within the tail. The foreflippers stick out to the perimeters whereas the hindflippers level down. The determine comes with two assist rods to relaxation upon.
There’s not quite a lot of high quality particulars on this clean bodied ichthyosaur however there are some faint pores and skin folds across the neck and jaw, and muscle definition alongside the tail. Nostrils are sculpted near the bottom of the snout, and the faint define of the orbits will be seen across the eyes. A seam runs down the complete aspect of the determine however it’s not too noticeable and fortunately doesn’t wrap across the head like on a few of PNSO’s older marine animal figures. A barely puckered cloaca is sculpted between the hindflippers.
Youran is attractively painted with black and white countershading and a yellow streak working alongside either side. I notably just like the yellow streak because it jogs my memory of the yellow streaks seen on some dolphin species, just like the Atlantic white-sided and short-beaked frequent dolphin. The patterning is enticing too, with jagged edges separating the black and white parts and extra black recognizing on the underside. The flippers are edged in white, and the dorsal and caudal fins are tipped in white. The eyes are brown with black pupils, and the cloaca is highlighted in pink. The determine doesn’t have the sheen of a few of PNSO’s older marine animals, and I’ve seen some lament that reality however I’m unbothered by it.
Youran the Guizhouichthyosaurus is a improbable little ichthyosaur determine that ought to be welcome in any assortment of Triassic or marine animals. It’s additionally undisputedly one of many best-looking ichthyosaur fashions to come back round shortly. That is precisely the form of mannequin that has been lacking from PNSO’s roster for a number of years now. I don’t know the way lengthy this marine reptile kick will final however I hope they stick with it for a bit longer. This determine is extensively accessible on-line for about $35.
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