Mathison Museum of Natural History

[bmathison1972]

I always eluded this figure just because it seems tiny to me. It's smaller than my Safari LTD vaquita and CBIOV finless porpoise. But reading that it can fit into scale 1:15-1:20 can change my mind. I didn't knew that i'ts the smallest delphinid (I tought the closely related Commerson's was the one). Maybe I should try to get it.

@Isidro @callmejoe3 - I have re-measured after reading Joe's comments that measuring from the bottom of the figure is more accurate for a curved figure than measuring from the dorsal side.  Using the new measurement, the figure has a 7.0 cm body length for a scale of 1:17-1:22.8

[Isidro]

Thanks a lot Blaine, 7 cm seems indeed too tiny for me taking in account thta Safari's vaquita (the smallest of all cetaceans) measures 9,5 cm from mouth to fluke notch (almost 10 cm with fluke lobes), so I will wait for one of 10,5 cm or so

[callmejoe3]

I always eluded this figure just because it seems tiny to me. It's smaller than my Safari LTD vaquita and CBIOV finless porpoise. But reading that it can fit into scale 1:15-1:20 can change my mind. I didn't knew that i'ts the smallest delphinid (I tought the closely related Commerson's was the one). Maybe I should try to get it.

@Isidro @callmejoe3 - I have re-measured after reading Joe's comments that measuring from the bottom of the figure is more accurate for a curved figure than measuring from the dorsal side.  Using the new measurement, the figure has a 7.0 cm body length for a scale of 1:17-1:22.8

I'm still getting it. Even though the Vaquita is technically smaller on average, the two creatures overlap in size enough where I can reasonably pass of the Hector's Dolphin as a physically immature individual.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Odontolabis bellicosa (Laporte de Castelnau, 1840)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: DeAgostini
Series: World Insect Data Book
Year of Release: Unknown
Size/Scale: Body length (including mandibles) 8.0 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: At the time of this writing, I have 22 specimens of Odontolabis representing 13 species; this is one of nine species that are unique. The DeAgostini figures are cast from actual specimens and are therefore all in the 1:1 range. The figures were sold as premiums with books and come in a plastic display box with their Latin and Japanese names. I am not sure what year the figures were released, and it is possible they were released over multiple years. The original set from Japan consisted of 60 species (59 male Scarabaeoidea and one dragonfly), plus four 'secret' figures representing females of select scarab males. When the set was released in Italy, three of the standard set were replaced with other species, including a leaf insect. Between the two releases and secrets, I think there are 67 figures total representing 63 species. The figures are secured to the base of the box with a small screw, but can be safely removed if one choses to display them outside of the box.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indonesia
Habitat: Rainforest
Diet: Unknown; other species of Odontolabis feed on decaying wood as larvae and tree sap and overripe fruit as adults.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I have had trouble researching any information on this species. It is often considered a subspecies of O. dalmani.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Prosopocoilus inclinatus (Motschulsky, 1857)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Wing Mau
Series: Flying Beetles
Year of Release: unknown (Wing Mau's website states 'until 2006' so released in 2006 or earlier)
Size/Scale: Body length (including mandibles) 6.5 cm, within scale 1:1. Wingspan 9.8 cm
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Common
Miscellaneous Notes: Prosopocoilus inclinatus is one of the most commonly made beetle species by Japanese companies; at the time of this writing I have 21 specimens. Today is our second look at this species in The Museum. Unlike similar 'flying' figures by Sega, those by Wing Mau do not have bases and do not require assembly.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan, Taiwan, Korean Peninsula
Habitat: Oak forests
Diet: Larvae breed in rotting logs of Quercus (oak); adults are attracted to sap flows.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Like most other stag beetles, P. inclinatus is sexually dimorphic, with the males having enlarged mandibles. Larger mandibles (as shown in this figure) give a male an advantage in winning the rights to mate with females and securing breeding sites, but come at a cost of limiting mobility such as flight. In a study with a related species, energy costs increase 26% for flight in major males with large mandibles.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Arbanitis rapax (Karsch, 1878) (Sydney brown trapdoor spider)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Cadbury
Series: UK Yowies Series 1
Year of Release: 1997
Size/Scale: Diameter of base 3.8 cm. Body length 2.8 cm, within scale 1:1 (small for a mature female)
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: Cadbury simply marketed this figure as 'trapdoor spider'; the species designation is my own, as A. rapax is a common species in the Sydney area (and Yowies originated in Australia). The Series 1 UK Yowies were released the same year as the Series 1 Australian figures, but were solid-piece plastic (unlike their Australian counterparts that require assembly). Many species are shared between the two sets, but the trapdoor spider does not have an Australian counterpart. The only other figure of a trapdoor spider I am aware of is by Funrise Toys.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeastern Australia (primarily in New South Wales)
Habitat: Forests, fields, disturbed areas, and lawns with proper soil to construct burrows
Diet: Other arthropods
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Despite being one of the 'trapdoor' spiders, burrows of A. rapax are open and do not have a 'door'. Arbanitis rapax is an ambush predator of insects and other arthropods that walk past its burrow. The species is not venomous to humans, but is often mistaken for the very venomous Sydney funnelweb spider (Atrax robustus) that occurs in the same region.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Mobula alfredi (Krefft, 1868) (reef manta ray)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Sharks of the World
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Width 9.0 cm for a scale of 1:33-1:38 (scale 1:55 for a maximum-sized specimen)
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon to common (see below)
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was originally marketed as the giant oceanic manta ray, M. birostris, but morphologically better fits M. alfredi based on the Y-shaped shoulder markings, black ventral spots reaching into the gill area, and lack of a vestigial caudal spine near the dorsal fin. It is important to keep in mind that figure was produced before M. alfredi was re-established as a valid species. Depending on the source material a company used to produce a manta ray, and when it was produced, this species could be considered common or uncommonly made. This Colorata figure scales alright with the Safari 2018 manta, which morphologically represents M. birostris based on sculpt and color!

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-West Pacific
Habitat: Benthopelagic, at depths of 1-120 meters
Diet: Filter-feeder on zooplankton
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Although M. alfredi was described in 1868, it was considered a synonym of M. birostris for decades until it was re-established as a valid species in 2009 based on morphological, molecular, and distributional data. A potential third, currently undescribed, species occurs in the Caribbean.

[JimoAi]

What do you think the 2013 schleich manta ray is based on?

[bmathison1972]

What do you think the 2013 schleich manta ray is based on?

I don't know; I would have to see dorsal and ventral images of it. If you have it, post images on one of your thread (please, NOT this thread), and I can check.

EDIT: Looking at dorsal images on the TAI (AnimalToyWiki) website, it looks like M. alfredi, as the white shoulder maculae diverge and there isn't a vestigial spine behind the dorsal fin. I can't see the ventral side to see how the maculae are arranged (if they are even there!)

[JimoAi]

Mine is a childhood toy so I'm not too comfortable. Ive added spots underneath mine that extend all the way it the OG figure goes slightly past the mid point

[Loon]

That's a really nice looking Manta ray. The more I see of these Colors animals, the more I like them. And, it's a pretty decent size. The only ray I have is the Safari one from, funnily enough, 2004 as well.

[JimoAi]

That's a really nice looking Manta ray. The more I see of these Colors animals, the more I like them. And, it's a pretty decent size. The only ray I have is the Safari one from, funnily enough, 2004 as well.

It's a toob size figure

[Loon]

That's a really nice looking Manta ray. The more I see of these Colors animals, the more I like them. And, it's a pretty decent size. The only ray I have is the Safari one from, funnily enough, 2004 as well.

It's a toob size figure

I know, in meant more in terms of scale. I've become more interested in having a consistent 1/35 to 1/40 scale for some of my marine animals, so it works in that case.

[bmathison1972]

That's a really nice looking Manta ray. The more I see of these Colors animals, the more I like them. And, it's a pretty decent size. The only ray I have is the Safari one from, funnily enough, 2004 as well.

It's a toob size figure

I know, in meant more in terms of scale. I've become more interested in having a consistent 1/35 to 1/40 scale for some of my marine animals, so it works in that case.

It is a nice-sized figure scale-wise for most people, but it is not a TOOB-sized figure; it is a bit larger

[Loon]

Regardless, it is very nice looking. It's the only Manta Ray I've seen where the white markings are really done well.

[bmathison1972]

yes @Loon it is nice. And today, the chondrichthyes keep rolling:

Species: Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 (sand tiger shark)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Wild Safari Sealife
Year of Release: 2020
Size/Scale: Body length 16.3 cm for a scale of 1:13.5-1:20.2
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon to rare
Miscellaneous Notes: There is a small handful of figures of this species available, with this 2020 offering by Safari probably the best by non-Japanese manufacturers. Smaller figures from Japan include one by Colorata in their Sharks of the World Collection, and Kaiyodo produced one in their Aquatales line in conjunction with the Enoshima Aquarium.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Circumtropical, except apparently the eastern Pacific
Habitat: Epipelagic, mesopelagic, reefs, sandy coasts, estuaries, and bays, at depths of 1-191 meters (usually 15-25 meters)
Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable (globally; select populations classified as Critically Endangered)
Miscellaneous Notes: Carcharias taurus is to date the only shark known to gulp air into its stomach to help maintain neutral buoyancy while swimming. Despite its rather fearsome appearance because of its large build and exposed teeth, C. taurus is a docile shark and there are no documented human fatalities caused by it.

[Loon]

This was a figure I was super excited to get. I always remember these guys floating above and around me on my trips to SeaWorld as a kid. The "fearsome appearance", as you put it, really stuck out to me, and was probably the face of many nightmares I had as a kid. I think this figure captures that really well. I appreciate you sharing all that info, I couldn't have imagined them being docile just from their face.

[Halichoeres]

Man, that's a nice shark. This thread is dangerous to my commitment to not collect the Cenozoic.

[bmathison1972]

Thanks guys!  Next up:

Species: Bathynomus giganteus Milne-Edwards, 1879 (giant deep-sea isopod)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: unknown
Series: unknown
Year of Release: unknown
Size/Scale: Body length 25.0 cm, within scale of 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon (becoming more common)
Miscellaneous Notes: I know nothing about this figure, who made it, when it was originally released, etc. It is life-sized and made of hollow vinyl. In 2014, Kitan Club released a life-sized model in their Nature Techni Colour line. At first I did not get it, because of the size and cost. Well, within a year or so I thought about acquiring it, but it had already retired and was going for exorbitant amounts on eBay ($300 USD or more). I ended up buying this figure instead on YAJ through brettnj's contacts to have a life-sized B. giganteus model. In 2018, after Ikimon took over they NTC line, they re-released the giant isopod and I bought it quickly while it was still 'cheap' (back down to roughly $80 USD or so). I retained this 'unknown' figure in my collection, and so I now have two life-sized models of this species (BTW, the life-sized Ikimon figure has already been reviewed on this daily thread, back on December 5). Interestingly, I went to eBay again as I prepared the text for today's post and now even the Ikimon models are $300+ USD again. I am glad I bought it when I did. If you want a life-sized B. giganteus, this figure might be your cheapest option, but unfortunately since I know so little about it, it might be hard to find.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: West Atlantic Ocean, from the southeastern USA to northern Brazil
Habitat: Bathydemersal, at depths of 310-2140 meters (usually 365-730 meters)
Diet: Primarily a scavenger on dead animals on the sea floor
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: The distributional limits of B. giganteus are not well known. As strictly delineated, this species occurs in the West Atlantic around the Caribbean, southeastern USA, and northern South America. It is believed the Bathynomus in the Indo-Pacific are all other species in the genus. While there have been recent reports of this species from the North Indian Ocean and West Pacific, those records should be confirmed.

[bmathison1972]

Man, that's a nice shark. This thread is dangerous to my commitment to not collect the Cenozoic.

Well @Halichoeres - let's take you back the Permian, then

Species: †Inostrancevia alexandri Amalitsky, 1922

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Wild Safari Prehistoric World
Year of Release: 2010
Size/Scale: Length 13.5 cm, for a scale of approximately 1:25 for a large specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: Ten years old at the time of this writing, this figure is still the only representative of this species in the toy market, not including resin kits, 3D printable options, and statuettes.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Late Permian (Wuchiapingian) of modern-day Russia
Habitat: Semi-arid plains with cyclic seasonal flooding and dry areas
Diet: Predator on other animals, including pareiasaurs such as Scutosaurus.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Inostrancevia alexandri belonged to a group of mammal-like reptiles called gorgonopsids. The gorgonopsids are believed to be the sister-group to Eutheriodontia, which gave rise to modern mammals. All Gorgonopsia were extinct by the end of the Permian.