Recent acquisitions

[stemturtle]

I agree it's a nice set. Do we have an Echinodermata thread under Animal Groups? You could start one! I can't really contribute but it'd be nice 

Like Beetle guy, I declined to purchase the complete set of sea urchins because of the high price. At this time I am unable to present scientific names. I agree that the echinoderms are an important phylum worthy of group listing.

Echinodermata is related to Chordata and Hemicordata based on deuterostomic embryology. The blastopore becomes the anus instead of the mouth, as with protostomes, which include nearly all the other invertebrates. Other than urchins, most echinoderm figures are starfish.

[bmathison1972]

Set of insect erasers by Iwako (Japan).

[stargatedalek]

This was a bit of an experimental order, both in terms of testing out AliExpress and also this particular item.

This small pompano is marketed as fake food, but given the variety of fish available at pretty good prices for their size I had to give it a shot. In a lot of ways it more than exceeds my expectations, the detail is better than the pictures show (I think it's almost certainly cast from a real fish), unfortunately it seems to be very fragile. I'm not about to cut it open and find out but I think it might literally be a sponge coated in plastic, as opposed to plastic stuffed with sponge, sounds like a subtle difference on paper but it's drastic in practice.

Overall I guess it's a failed experiment, but I'm glad I took the risk and found out (also glad I ordered just one as a test). If I ever want any large fish for a diorama or display these are definitely going to be put into consideration, but as figures they are just to fragile. The material reminds me of "stress-ball" animals that are often given out with promotional logos on them.

[AnimalToyForum]

What a curious model @stargatedalek. Nice new acquisition, worth the punt I'd say!

Would you like to repost your post in the walk-arounds section for safe-keeping? If not, would you mind if I reproduce your images there?

[stargatedalek]

What a curious model @stargatedalek. Nice new acquisition, worth the punt I'd say!

Would you like to repost your post in the walk-arounds section for safe-keeping? If not, would you mind if I reproduce your images there?

Feel free. Sadly I don't have anything more to add, it's definitely a pompano but there isn't any sort of manufacturer information.

[bmathison1972]

I think it's great. Do they do crabs too? ;-)

[stargatedalek]

I think it's great. Do they do crabs too? ;-)

Unfortunately I didn't encounter any.

[sbell]

I think it's great. Do they do crabs too? ;-)

Unfortunately I didn't encounter any.

I'm thinking theydo. I have a sturgeon from the same company/source (purcahsed through Amazon .ca but I've seen them on Taobao & Aliexpress). I'm sure I've seen at least squid, so there's probably crabs of some kind too.

[stargatedalek]

I think it's great. Do they do crabs too? ;-)

Unfortunately I didn't encounter any.

I'm thinking theydo. I have a sturgeon from the same company/source (purcahsed through Amazon .ca but I've seen them on Taobao & Aliexpress). I'm sure I've seen at least squid, so there's probably crabs of some kind too.

I saw the squids and a decent variety of fish, but I didn't see any crustaceans. I didn't even find any in the same niche other than this one crab, but it's hard plastic and having seen many in person it is definitely overpriced.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Simulation-Animal-Crab-Fake-Lobster-Early-education-Model-Ornaments-Photography-Props-Restaurant-Food-Decorative-Home-Crafts/32915931660.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.1.55cb4dbcQRGRWS&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10130_10547_10059_10884_10548_10887_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_10139_10307,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=c2f0969e-9584-4ba7-83e7-42d9865dd444-0&algo_pvid=c2f0969e-9584-4ba7-83e7-42d9865dd444&priceBeautifyAB=0

There are a number of interesting crab and shrimp fishing lures on Aliexpress, it's definitely "the place" to buy rubber fishing lures, most are more or less dime a dozen.

While we're on the topic, these aquarium decor fish are also interesting, I see a few rarely made species are available. Sadly this listing is for a random one, but hopefully it's a lead if anyone is interested.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fish-Tank-Landscaping-Decoration-Simulation-Small-Fake-Fish-Fish-For-Display-Fluorescence-Silica-Gel-Fish-Fish/32922278792.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.144.58043580THXiYu&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10130_10547_10059_10884_10548_10887_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_10139_10307,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=a99c9272-e75f-4d28-b00d-9cfe95b0d79e-22&algo_pvid=a99c9272-e75f-4d28-b00d-9cfe95b0d79e&priceBeautifyAB=0

[bmathison1972]

Goodies from Japan courtesy of Brett and Emiko:

First, a couple more set by Break Co. LTD. I previously reviewed a set of wasps. Now I add a set each of mantids and cicadas. I think I'll do a review of the cicadas, but I have a feeling the mantids are all just color morphs of Tenodera aridifolia (unlike the wasps, the site I ordered these from did not market anything at the species level).





Next the three 2018 crustaceans by Eikoh Minature Planet. This is their first venture into the Arthropoda. I like them a lot but they were not indicated at the species level. The spiny lobster is probably Panulirus japonicus and the hermit crab is probably Coenobita purpurea but the fiddler crab is anyone's guess. I'll have to do some online searching to see if they were intended to be anything specific.



Next the three beetles in the annual Beetle Hunter set by F-toys that are not Allomyrina dichotoma: Prosopocoilus confucius, Megasoma actaeon, and Dorcus titanus sakishaminus. This is the first confirmed P. confucius figure I have, although the Safari Smithsonian stag beetle and Groovy Tube Books figure are probably also intended to be this species (with the latter inspired by the former).



Next the original color version of the Choco Q Geothelphusa dehanni (interestingly I had the while and blue variants, but never the original orange).



Lastly, the 2018 Bandai rollable Armadillidium vulgare (review coming very shortly):

[Beetle guy]

really like the ChocoQ crab!! Nice figurine!

[stargatedalek]

Those cicada and mantis look amazing! Something about that translucent plastic is quite appealing.



Package arrived today from MiniZoo! That must be a record delivery, from Australia to Canada in less than a full work week.

All of the new Safari Good Luck Minis are great, and the jellyfish look great remade in translucent plastic.

Papo Scorpion and Safari Microraptor have been on my list for a while, glad to finally check them off.

[bmathison1972]

hope you like the Papo scorpion. Those two arthropods they released (this and the wolf spider) are among the best of their species around!

[Beetle guy]

Well, these I have acquired in the last months. I am cutting down on collecting and might even sell some of my bigger beetles, but these I could not resist ;-)

 
The Kitan Club (now Ikimon) tree frog, Hyla japonica from the 8 piece frog/toad series I wanted to complete, but that are now to expensive for me. This one I found for a good price.


 
The AquaMeridian horseshoe crab from season 2 (2013), sculpted by Sharon Kwok. I think AguaMeridian is closed down, at least their website is. The 2 seasons did not sell well, what I heard. A shame cause the figurines are really good. The bases have a LED-light which lights up the bubble stream.


 
Yujin cicada, Oncotympana maculaticollis. The revised version. Insects of series 1 and 2 have revised versions, mostly beter painted and sometimes even with a slightly enhanced sculpt. I will do a post on that soon.



3 beetles from Sega/Bandai on wooden bases. Dynastes granti (really great! For depicting a rather minor male), Dorcus binodulosus and Odontolabis burmeisteri in the back.


 

 
The beetle Diplicus cantori, from yet another Sega/Bandai Mushiking beetle series...It came in a lot, It is a very detailed lovely figurine!



The Yujin Three-spined Stickleback. I wanted this to go with the Yujin Lethocerus deyrollei. Big thanks to member @sbell for the hint!!


 
Some intermediate Sega beetles, I will do a post on this very hard to find series soon in Beetleguy's Sega/Bandai Beetle collection.


 
The Lamprima adolphinae from the Kabaya insect series. Actually a very good one! being scale 1:1 and for this size very detailed. If I ever get a double I will repaint it into the purple/blue colour morph though ;-)

[sbell]

The Yujin Three-spined Stickleback. I wanted this to go with the Yujin Lethocerus deyrollei. Big thanks to member @sbell for the hint!!

Glad I could help--even if a fish has to get eaten!

[bmathison1972]

1) if you ever get an extra Kabaya Lamprima you will sell it to me, not repaint it LOL 

2) Aquameridian Series 2 didn't sell at all. The first series didn't sell, so Series 2 was abandoned. Their figures, some from Series 1 and Series 2 are being marketed by For Corporation. I assume they sold their prototypes, or the rights to the sculpts, to For Corporation. The paperwork might indicate copyright by Aquameridian but Aquameridian never marketed a Series 2. When I get my horseshoe crab I will do a walkaround and explain this in detail.

3) I like that Sega series on wooden bases (the one with the D. cantori) - I'd consider that complete set if it ever came available.

[stargatedalek]

Apologies for the messy desk. Bought my first MH Figure Builder today at a convention. Yian Garuga wasn't my first choice from the set but I'm very pleased regardless.

[stargatedalek]

Kaiyodo Sofubi Toybox Tsuchinoko arrived today. Absolutely in love with this adorable little snake. The detail is incredible and the articulation is just so much fun.

[Isidro]

New species for science: the slug-viper

[stargatedalek]

New species for science: the slug-viper

I've been asked if it recently swallowed a banana


Finally, some more dinosaurs! So much stuff lately but not many dinosaurs among them.








Beasts of the Mesozoic Saurornitholestes. I had to get Tamamo down off a shelf for scale (raptor is 1:6th, and she's 1:7th), but it will also make a great Utahraptor or Dakotaraptor stand-in for Figma's (give or take 1:13th). I love the roadrunner patterns, but it also has the advantage over some of the other BOTM raptors in being a bit more passable as generic gamebird patterns (probably most accurate reference).

I'm very impressed with the articulation and production quality on the raptor, though the base (not pictured) was a touch disappointing and is very finicky to balance the raptor on. perhaps I'll get one of those accessory packs, are the bases from those more reliable?






Papo vulture, though only marketed as a generic vulture it's clearly based on a griffon vulture. The sculpt is incredible, though as usual for Papo the base coats of paint are blended wonderfully with the details being a bit less reliable (those claws...). Looks like Tsukihi has found someone to fight dinosaurs with.




Papo albatross, it's in a similar boat to the vulture but is almost certainly meant to be a black-browed albatross. The details on the head are not the best, it's just begging for a quick paint touch-up. I recommend anyone with a lot of flying birds or pterosaurs to display keeps an eye out for these clawed Figma bases, they work wonders.