1/40 Xiphactinus- Released

[dinonikes]

Here is the armature for Xiphactinus- it measures 5 inches in length-

[tomhet]

Oh my. It looks awesome

[dinonikes]

I'm still going to make the Leedsichthys- just thought this would be a cool one to do as well- and I think it was on my original list- I think this will be it for the marine animals for a little bit(unless the urge takes over), lets see- Tylo, Muraenosurus, Ophthalmosaurus, Archelon, Xiphactinus, Leedsichthys- time to fill out the mammal corner a bit more- get some of the more iconic dinos (Triceratops, Stegosaurus-etc.), going as well-

[kuni]

Definitely getting this.

[tomhet]

Mar 19, 2009 4:06:38 GMT dinonikes said:

I'm still going to make the Leedsichthys- just thought this would be a cool one to do as well- and I think it was on my original list- I think this will be it for the marine animals for a little bit(unless the urge takes over), lets see- Tylo, Muraenosurus, Ophthalmosaurus, Archelon, Xiphactinus, Leedsichthys- time to fill out the mammal corner a bit more- get some of the more iconic dinos (Triceratops, Stegosaurus-etc.), going as well-

I can't wait to see your Sphenacodon

[sbell]

Mar 19, 2009 6:22:05 GMT @tomhet said:

Mar 19, 2009 4:06:38 GMT dinonikes said:

I'm still going to make the Leedsichthys- just thought this would be a cool one to do as well- and I think it was on my original list- I think this will be it for the marine animals for a little bit(unless the urge takes over), lets see- Tylo, Muraenosurus, Ophthalmosaurus, Archelon, Xiphactinus, Leedsichthys- time to fill out the mammal corner a bit more- get some of the more iconic dinos (Triceratops, Stegosaurus-etc.), going as well-

I can't wait to see your Sphenacodon

That sounds dirty Tomhet ;D

And this Xiphactinus makes me so happy...

[crazycrowman]

Wow, looks cool - that is going to be one gnarly fish!

[bokisaurus]

What an amazing list! I really hope you make this fish!
Sorry to do t his, but I can't help but to post this picture, your lineup reminded me of this Way back, I called it my dream set... now, it seems like with your line, it may not be a far off dream anymore ;D
Hope you like it

[dinonikes]

Yes, I have seen that- always liked that - would be a cool poster (which they probably have out there)- I will probably end up making many of these- for sure

[dinonikes]

Roughed in clay-

[kuni]

Looks good!

When it comes to textures, you could do worse than to base it on an Arowana - ichthyodectids (of which xiphactinus is thought to be a member) are thought to have a close relationship with the osteoglossomorpha/bonytongues:


Note the large scales, and the fact that the bones of the head are visible.

[dinonikes]

^My friend used to have a real large Arawana- they definitely look prehistoric- most of the reconstructions of Xiphactinus show small scales- almost like you don't see the scales- the larger scales would be a nice look-

[sbell]

Mar 22, 2009 15:54:45 GMT dinonikes said:

^My friend used to have a real large Arawana- they definitely look prehistoric- most of the reconstructions of Xiphactinus show small scales- almost like you don't see the scales- the larger scales would be a nice look-

I believe a Tarpon is a closer analogue (I seem to recall the moniker 'bulldog tarpon' used for Xiphactinus somewhere):


As you can see, the scales are pronounced, but not as much as in an osteoglossid. I don't think they are actually related to either, especially to arowana, but the analogy in the jaws seems fitting.

And I have owned an arowana before--they are extremely cool, but they are jerks--my poor gars were so terrified of it!

[kuni]

Tarpons are in the Elopiformes, the eel supergroup, and have little to do with ichthyodectids. They are cool, though.

Wikipedia says this: "Sometimes classified in the primitive bony fish order Pachycormiformes, they are today generally regarded as members of the "bulldog fish" order Ichthyodectiformes in the far more advanced Osteoglossomorpha." This also fits with what I've heard from paleofish experts recently.

[kuni]

Given that Arapaima, another big extant osteoglossomorph, also have big scales, they might be a good model for Xiphactinus:

[kuni]

Aha! On the Oceans of Kansas site:

A large ichthyodectid scale, 1.5 wide by 3.5 cm long (which is roughly 1/175th of the fish, but you have to consider overlapping and the scaleless head/tail):

[kuni]

Oh, and apparently the fact that the scales are long is unusual.

I counted the scales on the white arawana, and it's ~50 to get to the end, so I guess xiphactinus's would be a quarter the scale, or something like that. Still big enough to notice, definitely.

[dinonikes]

Thanks Kuni,
I can tell that this Xiphactinus is one that is important to you, hope I can please you with the results-

[dinonikes]

Progress report of sorts-

[kuni]

Nice! I don't envy you the process of scupting in the lines for the craniofacial bones, though....