Mathison Museum of Natural History

[bmathison1972]

Happy to inspire collections!

Difficult as the set could be to complete now...

I only need one, the mudpuppy! I technically need the red-cheeked as well, but I have a source for that, just waiting to get it 

[sbell]

Happy to inspire collections!

Difficult as the set could be to complete now...

I only need one, the mudpuppy! I technically need the red-cheeked as well, but I have a source for that, just waiting to get it 

I think it's funny that getting the red cheek has been easier than the mudpuppy

[bmathison1972]

Species: †Citipati osmolskae Clark et al., 2001

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Wild Safari Prehistoric World
Year of Production: 2019
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 19.0 cm for a scale of 1:13.2-1:15.3
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare or possibly unique (see below)
Miscellaneous Notes: Only a couple figures have been formally marketed as Citipati, but today's by Safari Ltd. might be the only one based specifically on C. osmolskae. Several figures previously marketed as Oviraptor or Citipati appear to be based on specimen MPC-D 100/42 (the 'Zamyn Khondt oviraptorid'), an unnamed genus of oviraptorid from Mongolia that has been referred to as Citipati in some papers. Among them include Oviraptor figures produced by Schleich, Kaiyodo, Colorata, and Safari Ltd. (Carnegie) and Citipati figures produced by Nakasato/Kanna. The upcoming Bandai Desktop Models Citipati also appears to be based on MPC-D 100/42, at least based on initial promotional pics (thanks for forum members Sim and Flaffy for helping elucidate several of these). Note the PNSO support in the pic; it didn't take long for my Citipati to stop standing on its own!

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Late Cretaceous of present-day East Asia
Habitat: Semi-arid dunes and dune fields
Diet: Plants
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Citipati osmolskae is one of the few dinosaurs for which we have learned about its nesting habits, thanks to the fossilization of several nests, including two with the adults in situ. Fossils of the small troodontid Byronosaurus have been found associated with Citipati nests. The skulls of the troodontid appear to represent juveniles and it has been proposed that Byronosaurus may have used the nest of Citipati as an act of brood parasitism. It is also possible the troodontids were just food for the Citipati hatchlings or possibly the parents themselves; some extant primarily plant-feeding birds switch to animal-based protein during the breeding season.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766)
Common name(s): hawksbill sea turtle

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yujin
Series: Primary Turtles in Colour
Year of Production: 2002
Size/Scale: Carapace length approx. 4.0 cm for a scale of 1:25
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The turtle is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas and oceans
Habitat: Pelagic; at depths of 0-19 meters
Diet: Primarily sponges; also other marine invertebrates, fish, algae
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Critically Endangered
Miscellaneous Notes: Eretmochelys imbricata is an adapted spongivore, feeding about 70-95% of the time on sponges. They are very selective on which sponges they eat, however, preferring those from the orders Astrophorida, Spirophorida, and Hadromerida, and the class Demospongiae. The ten most common genera preyed upon by hawksbills are Geodia, Ancorina, Ecionemia, Myriastra, Chondrosia, Chondrilla, Tethya, Aaptos, Suberites, and Placospongia.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Aiolocaria hexaspilota (Hope, 1831)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Stasto
Series: 3D File - Ladybugs & Cetoniinae
Year of Production: 2022
Size/Scale: Body length (excl. appendages) approx. 5.8 cm for a scale of 6.1:1-4.8:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The Stasto 3D File figures have an ingenious design for distribution that minimizes packaging. There are eight figures in a collection. Two figures come connected to form their own gashapon capsule. The two figures are separated by gently twisting them. Once apart, the bottom of the figure extends, revealing the legs and antennae. The legs and antennae are extended and placed in the desired position and then the body is closed back up, revealing the final product.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Central and East Asia, Japan
Habitat: Mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, forest agrocenosis, fruit orchards; arboreal
Diet: Larvae and adults are specialized predators on all developmental stages of chrysomelid beetles; occasionally other insects
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Aiolocaria hexaspilota is an arboreal predator of chrysomelid (leaf) beetles and other insects associated with trees, especially Juglans (walnut), Quercus (oak), Salix (willow), and Alnus (alder). Common prey include chrysomelids in the genera Plagiosterna, Gastrolina, Chrysomela, and Podontia. They have also been reported feeding on aphids, scale insects, and caterpillars of moths in the family Erebidae.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767)
Common name(s): coconut crab

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Yanbaru Creatures
Year of Production: 2017
Size/Scale: Base approx. 6.7 cm across its widest points. Carapace length approx. 2.3 cm for a scale of 1:2.2-1:8.7
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the third time we've seen B. latro in the Museum. The crab is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coastal habitats on marine islands, usually in sandy or rocky areas, often away from the sea
Diet: Scavengers on organic matter, including carrion, molted exoskeletons of other crabs, fruit, coconut meat, human refuse
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Birgus latro is derived from shell-wearing hermit crabs but has secondarily lost this behavior, at least as adults. Juveniles will sometimes use empty gastropod shells while adolescents will sometimes use broken coconut shells to protect their soft abdomens. The abdomen of the adult is sclerotized enough that it doesn't need secondary protection.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Dorcus hopei binodulosus Waterhouse, 1874

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Bandai
Series: Diversity of Life on Earth - Mini Insects Vol. 3
Year of Production: 2023
Size/Scale: Body length (incl. mandibles) approx. 6.5 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very common
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the tenth time we've seen D. h. binodulosus in the Museum. Some assembly is required and the mandibles are articulated.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan, Korean Peninsula
Habitat: Broadleaf forests
Diet: Larvae breed in rotting wood; adults feed on tree sap
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Dorcus h. binodulosus has a relatively long lifespan, for a beetle. Larvae live in their host substrate for about two years and adults live about three years, hibernating during the winter months. Hyperactive antifreeze proteins allow the beetle to survive in freezing temperatures.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Omphalotus japonicus (Kawamura) Kirchmair & Miller (2002)
Common name(s): tsukiyotake; jack-o'lantern mushroom

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Rainbow
Series: Tree Mushrooms Collection Vol. 1
Year of Production: 2023
Size/Scale: Tree trunk 3.0 cm tall and 3.3 cm broad along the widest points of its base. Largest cap 2.0 cm wide for a maximum scale of 1:15.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was marketed as O. guepiniformis, which is now considered a synonym of O. japonicus. This figure can also serve as an accessory to forest wildlife!

About the Organism:
Geographic distribution: East Asia, Japan
Habitat: Broadleaf woodlands
Diet: Nutrients derived from dead Fagus (beech) trees
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Omphalotus japonicus is bioluminescent. Seiichi Kawamura (the original author of the species) claimed the fungi could be seen at night from 30 meters away and that 100 square cm of glowing mushrooms allowed him to read Roman characters of 8 mm size by their light!

[bmathison1972]

Species: Sepioteuthis lessoniana Férussac in Lesson, 1831
Common name(s): bigfin reef squid; tiger squid; glitter squid; oval squid

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Favorite Co. Ltd.
Series: Aqua Fish
Year of Production: 2020
Size/Scale: Total figure length 8.7 cm. Mantle length approx. 4.5 cm for a scale of 1.2:1-1:7.3 depending on sex; within scale 1:1 for a small specimen of either sex.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The squid is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific; introduced to the Mediterranean Sea
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters, including coral reefs, sea grass beds, sandy bottoms, rocky shorelines; at depths of 0-100 meters
Diet: Primarily other mollusks and fish; also other marine invertebrates and zooplankton. Juveniles often cannibalistic.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Data Deficient
Miscellaneous Notes: Sepioteuthis lessoniana exhibits strong positive phototactic behavior, and will move towards and within a certain distance of a light source. This behavior might be involuntary, as squid will immediately stop all other movements when suddenly exposed to a light source. Bigfin is one of the most commercially important squid species, and fishing for them is often done at night, as fisherman will use bright light sources to attract the squid!

[bmathison1972]

Species: Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s): Eurasian bullfinch; common bullfinch

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: K&M International
Series: Wild Republic - European Garden Nature Tube
Year of Production: 2006
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 4.3 cm for a scale of 1:3.4-1:3.7
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: I currently have the forthcoming figure of this species by Mojö Fun as a 'maybe' to replace today's by K&M International. However, I am more and more considering keeping this one, because in addition to liking it, it would add diversity among the styles of small songbirds in my collection. Today's bullfinch is permanently affixed to a small, cross-shaped twig base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Eurasia
Habitat: Mixed woodlands and forest margins, orchards, farmland, parks, gardens, cemeteries
Diet: Buds, fruits, seeds
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Because of its feeding preferences, P. pyrrhula is often considered a pest of orchard trees. For centuries, English parishes paid a bounty for every bullfinch killed! Now it is more common to control plant cover and undergrowth around the orchards that produce favored seeds and fruit and would otherwise attract the birds to the area.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae (Günther, 1877)
Common name(s): marbled flounder

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.
Series: Primary Saltwater Fish
Year of Production: 2021 (2011)
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 4.8 cm for a scale of 1:5.7-1:9.4
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique (as a sculpt, see below)
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure has been issued three times. The original was in 2011. In 2018 the set was reissued with some new paint jobs and updated placards on the bases. The 2021 set was an outright reissue of the 2018 set. The placard on the base (see inset) contains it's Latin name and it's common name, family, geographic distribution, habitat, depth, and size in Japanese.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Northwest Pacific
Habitat: Demersal; in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms to depths of 100 meters
Diet: Benthic invertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Near Threatened
Miscellaneous Notes: Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae is a 'right eye' founder, meaning it lays on the sea floor on its left side with both of its eyes on the right side. They don't start off life like this, however. As the fish mature, one eye migrates to the other side of the head!

[bmathison1972]

Species: †Centrosaurus apertus Lambe, 1904

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: PNSO
Series/Collection: Prehistoric Animal Models
Year of Production: 2021
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 17.0 cm for a scale of 1:29-1:32
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Given the knowledge we have of this animal, it's surprising so few figures of it have been produced. Even including figures marketed as 'Monoclonius', I can't think of more than ten.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of present-day of western North America (Laramidia)
Habitat: Humid forests and woodlands and adjacent riparian areas
Diet: Plants
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: The position of the nasal horn on C. apertus changed throughout life. In younger specimens, the horn was directed backwards, but changed to point anteriorly in mature specimens.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Garrulus lidthi Bonaparte, 1850
Common name(s): Lidth's jay; Amami jay

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Natural Monuments of Japan
Year of Production: 2002
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 7.3 cm for a scale of 1:5.2
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: I cannot remember if assembly was required. The only other figure of this species I am immediately aware of is also by Kaiyodo for the Chocoegg Animatales line, which does require assembly.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan (Amami Ōshima and Tokunoshima)
Habitat: Pine forest, subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest, cultivated areas, gardens
Diet: Primarily nuts of Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese chinquapin); also invertebrates and small vertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Garrulus lidthi is endemic to the Japanese islands Amami Ōshima and Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Arc. Having such a restricted distribution makes it vulnerable to threats. In the past, before it was protected, it was hunted for its feathers which were used for decorating ladies' hats. Today it remains under threat by the small Indian mongoose, which was introduced to control the Okinawa pit viper (which is native, by the way).

[bmathison1972]

Species: Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s): black-crowned night heron; night heron

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Choco Q Animatales Series 8
Year of Production: 2004
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 5.5 cm for a scale of 1:10.5-1:12
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: Being one of the original Choco Q figures, assembly is required.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Nearly worldwide, including throughout the Americas, much of Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Absent from Australia and Antarctica (see below).
Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater wetlands, including lakes, ponds, rivers, canals, marshes, swamps, estuaries; nesting occurs in trees or on protected islands and reedbeds
Diet: Non-discriminant predator and scavenger, including fish, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals (e.g. rodents), small birds and their eggs, carrion, human refuse
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Nycticorax nycticorax is one of the most widespread herons. It occurs year-round throughout much of the southern hemisphere, including much of South America (exclusive of the Andes), sub-Saharan Africa (exclusive of large deserts and dense rainforest), the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia into Oceania (but absent from Australia). It breeds in much of North America below the taiga and boreal forest, but winters in southern USA, Mexico, and Central America. In Eurasia it breeds in much of the southern half of Europe, parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, East Asia (including the northern part of the Korean Peninsula), and much of Japan, wintering in Southeast Asia. It does occur year-round in the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula and adjacent Japan. As in America, it tends to be found below the taiga/boreal forest.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin, 1770)
Common name(s): long-eared hedgehog

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Naturalism
Series/Collection: Naturally Adorkable
Year of Production: 2016
Size/Scale: Total figure height 4.0 cm. Body length very difficult to calculate, but using ears as a metric (n=1.3 cm) scale comes to 1:2.8-1:4.3.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The Naturally Adorkable collection is made up of solid-piece resin figures that primarily represent Chinese species. 'Adorkable' refers to being awkward in a way as to appear cute or endearing, combining the words 'adorable' and 'dork'. Apparently the animals in this set meet that definition :-).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: North Africa (Egypt), Asia Minor, Middle East, Central Asia to southern Russia, Mongolia, and China (Xinjiang)
Habitat: Desert, semi-desert, dry steppe, dry river valleys and gullies, cultivated land, oases, human settlements
Diet: Terrestrial invertebrates, with insects making up 70% of its diet
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: The longer-than-normal ears of H. auritus are believed to be used for head radiation in hot, dry climates.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Cyprinus rubrofuscus Lacépède, 1803
Common name(s): Amur carp

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yujin
Series/Collection: Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book 2
Year of Production: 2002
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 6.5 cm for a maximum scale of 1:4.3
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare (for the wild type; uncommon when including domestic koi)
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was marketed as the common carp, C. carpio, before the recognition of the Amur carp as a distinct species based on morphological and molecular analyses. Also, the Amur carp is considered the wild ancestor of koi, and this sculpt was used for three koi figures in the same series. This set has been released at least twice and I believe my figure is from the first release. The fish is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: East Asia; introduced (as koi) throughout much of the world
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, canals, ditches; usually in well-vegetated water with soft sediments
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, fish and fish eggs, carrion, aquatic plants
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Cyprinus rubrofuscus is the wild ancestor of the domestic koi. Colorful in captivity, when koi are released into a wild environment, they revert back to the natural color of the Amur carp after a few generations.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Oncorhynchus kawamurae Jordan & McGregor, 1925
Common name(s): black kokanee; kunimasu

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Capsule Q Museum - Tohoku
Year of Production: 2013
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 7.2 cm for a scale of 1:3.2
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the sixth species of Oncorhynchus we've seen in the Museum (and there are a couple more to come). Minimal assembly is required and the fish is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan; originally endemic to Lake Tazawa, introduced to Lake Saiko (see below)
Habitat: Cold, deep, freshwater lakes
Diet: Presumably mesopelagic or benthopelagic zooplankton
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Extinct in the Wild
Miscellaneous Notes: Oncorhynchus kawamurae was originally endemic to Lake Tazawa. In 1935, fertilized eggs of the species were introduced to several other lakes around Japan, but the introductions were initially deemed unsuccessful. In 1940, water from the Tama River was introduced to Lake Tazawa to increase hydroelectric power production. Unfortunately, the introduced water raised the acidity of the lake, killing all of the black kokanee. The fish was thought to be extinct until 2010 when nine specimens were discovered in Lake Saiko, one of the original lakes the fish was introduced to in the 1930s!

[bmathison1972]

Species: Atrocalopteryx atrata (Selys, 1853)
Common name(s): jewelwing; haguro-tombo

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yujin
Series/Collection: Insects of Japan Series 2
Year of Production: 2006
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 6.0 cm, within scale 1:1 for a large specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was marketed as Calopteryx atrata; the genus Atrocalopteryx was established in 2005 and was either unknown to Yujin or the change could not be made in time for production, as the figure itself came out in 2006. However, Atrocalopteryx may not be valid as it was not properly described in the paper of its original usage. Assembly is required and the damselfly is removable from the rock (leaving pegs under a couple of the tarsi, however).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: East Asia, Japan
Habitat: Lowland streams and rivers in flatlands, open woodlands, and urban and suburban areas
Diet: Nymphs feed on small aquatic invertebrates; adults feed on small flying insects
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Jewelwings in the family Calopterygidae are usually sexually dimorphic with regards to their color. The patterns can vary between the species, but often the males either have a brighter metallic body and/or darker wings than the females. In the case of A. atrata, the males (shown here today) have bright metallic green bodies with black wings while the females have dull brown bodies and dark brown wings. In some individuals, the color intensity may fade with age.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Anolis carolinensis Voigt in Cuvier & Voigt, 1832
Common name(s): Carolina anole; green anole; American green anole; American chameleon

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Chocoegg Animatales Series 5
Year of Production: 2001
Size/Scale: Snout-to-vent length approx. 4.5 cm for a scale of 1:1.1-1:1.7
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Being one of the original Chocoegg figures, assembly is required.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeastern United States and adjacent Mexico (Tamaulipas); introduced to other parts of the world, including California, Mexico (Nuevo León), Japan (Ogasawara Islands), Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Canary Islands, and several Caribbean Islands
Habitat: Coastal plain, piedmont, deciduous woodlands, parks, gardens, suburban areas; usually arboreal or on tall grasses and fence posts
Diet: Small insects and spiders
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Anolis carolinensis is commonly referred to as the 'American chameleon' (especially in the pet trade), due to its ability to change color, typically between brown and green, depending on mood, external stressors, activity level, or intraspecific communication. However, anoles are more closely related to iguanas and not the 'true' chameleons. Males have a pronounced dewlap that is also used for intraspecific communication, including signaling mates, defining territory, and sizing up rival males.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Daphnia pulex Leydig, 1860
Common name(s): water flea

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Ikimon
Series/Collection: Science Techni Colour - Microorganism Acrylic Mascot
Year of Production: 2018
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 3.5 cm for a scale of 175:1-11.7:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the third time we've seen D. pulex in the Museum. Figures in this set are essentially illustrations of microorganisms encased in acrylic. They were also sold as keychains (hence the hole in the clear part of the acrylic).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Cosmopolitan
Habitat: Still freshwater, including ponds, lakes, swamps, ephemeral pools, poorly-maintained swimming pools
Diet: Phytoplankton, algae, bacteria, detritus
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Daphnia pulex can exhibit phenotypic plasticity to some predators, whereby an organism changes its behavior, morphology, or physiology in response to specific environmental stressors. In one example, phantom midge larvae that feed on D. pulex release kairomones which induce the development of 'neck teeth' in neonatal water fleas; these small, jagged protrusions provide defense against the midge larvae.