Mathison Museum of Natural History

[stargatedalek]

Ash Cicada?

[bmathison1972]

While that's probably a correct answer @stargatedalek that's not the species I am presenting today. To my knowledge, this is the only European cicada as a figure or toy:

Species: Lyristes plebejus (Scopoli, 1763)
Common name(s): large common cicada

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Souvenirs Entomologiques
Year of Production: 2005
Size/Scale: Bottlecap base approx. 3.3 cm in diameter. Body length of emerging adult difficult to measure. The nymphal exuvia is 2.0 cm. Under the assumption the body length of the adult would be comparable, the scale would come to 1:1.5-1:1.7.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was marketed under the synonym Tibicen plebejus. In 2021, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature suppressed the genus name Tibicen for the purposes the Principle of Priority. Assembly isn't required but the insect + flower is removable from the bottlecap base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Mediterranean and Central Europe, east to Iran
Habitat: Woodlands, shrublands, tree orchards, parks
Diet: Adults and nymphs feed on plant juices; subterranean nymphs derive their food from roots while adults feed on stems of shrubs and trees. Common host trees include pines, oaks, and cultivated fruit and olive trees.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had difficulty finding open access information on the biology of this species (at least in English). Like other cicadas, L. plebejus spends most of its life underground as a nymph, upwards of 5 years. Adults on the other hand have very short lifespans, lasting only a few weeks in the mid-late summer.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
This gliding gum eater, endemic to the Torricelli Mountains of New Guinea, was only described in the 1980s!

[bmathison1972]

Species: Petaurus abidi Ziegler, 1981
Common name(s): northern glider

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yowie Group
Series/Collection: Colors of the Animal Kingdom
Year of Production: 2019
Size/Scale: Scale difficult to calculate because of the animal's posture, but body length (minus tail) approx. 5.8 cm for a scale of 1:4.2-1:4.8
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the first of two gliders produced by Yowie Group since 2019, the other being a juvenile yellow-bellied glider (P. australis) for the Baby Animals collection in 2023.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: New Guinea; endemic to the Torricelli Mountains
Habitat: Primary tropical rainforest, plantations, adjacent gardens; arboreal
Diet: Fruit, tree sap, gum, nectar, insects, small vertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Critically Endangered
Miscellaneous Notes: Petaurus abidi and other 'flying' phalangers are able to glide from tree to tree with the aid of folds of loose skin (patagia) running from their wrists to their ankles. They have been documented gliding for distances of over 140 meters!



Clue for tomorrow's species:
One of the largest of its kind in the world in terms of wingspan, it was named after the ruler of a sovereign state in the South Pacific that is now part of Malaysia.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Trogonoptera brookiana (Wallace, 1855)
Common name(s): Rajah Brooke's birdwing

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Rainbow
Series/Collection: Butterflies of the World - Real Magnet Collection Vol. 1
Year of Production: 2023
Size/Scale: Wingspan approx. 8.0 cm for a scale of 1:1.9-1:2.1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Figures in this set appear to consist of images of butterfly wings painted on a coated/protected paper of some kind and then affixed to a generic butterfly body. The underside of the wings are solid black with the Latin name of the butterfly and the name of the set in Japanese. The underside of the plastic body has a flat, non-obtrusive magnet.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia (Thai-Malay Peninsula), Borneo, Sumatra, Natuna, and surrounding islands
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Diet: Larvae feed on plants in the genus Aristolochia (pipevines); adults take nectar from flowers
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: It is believed the green colors of the male T. brookiana, in combination with their large size, are to mimic broadbill birds in the genus Calyptomena. This is considered an example of Müllerian mimicry, as the birds are defended by their large beaks and the butterflies are poisonous. There are blue morphs of the hecata form of T. brookiana and the related T. trojana (Palawan birdwing), and its believed they mimic fairy-bluebirds of the genus Irena.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
A popular pet today, it was originally domesticated in Thailand at least a thousand years ago for violent gambling matches.

[JimoAi]

A Betta or Siamese fighting fish for sure. Best guess it's the yell figures

[bmathison1972]

Correct species @JimoAi !

Species: Betta splendens Regan, 1910
Common name(s): Siamese fighting fish; betta; pla kud

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Stasto
Series/Collection: PSL Kikiki Fighting Fish
Year of Production: 2024
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 5.5 cm, within scale 1:1 for a small individual or up to 1:1.5 for a maximum-sized individual
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon to rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The fish is removable from its base. There were six fish in the set, all different sculpts and representing different breeds and colors. Later in 2024, a second set was released in different colors (but I am not sure if the sculpts were reused or not).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia; introduced and established in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Singapore
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, rice paddies, floodplains; usually in heavily vegetated waters or habitats with low oxygen
Diet: Terrestrial and flying insects that fall into water, aquatic invertebrates, zooplankton, algae
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Betta splendens, like other members of the suborder Anabantoidei (labyrinth fish), are able to breathe atmospheric air with the aid of a lung-like structure called a labyrinth organ. The labyrinth organ helps inhaled oxygen to be absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, labyrinth fish can survive for a short period of time out of water, as they can inhale the air around them, provided they stay moist. The fish are not born with the organ, however; development of the organ is gradual and most labyrinth fish initially breath through their gills when young.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
Native to the western coast of Mexico, this is one of the largest, and most venomous, members of serpentine shakers.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Crotalus basiliscus Cope, 1864)
Common name(s): Mexican west coast rattlesnake; Mexican green rattler

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Play Visions
Series/Collection: Exotic Snakes
Year of Production: 1999
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 24.5 cm for a scale of 1:4.1-1:8.3
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The identification of this figure is based on that it is stamped 'basilisk rattlesnake'.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Western Mexico, from southern Sonora to Michoacan
Habitat: Coastal plain, tropical thorn forest
Diet: Small mammals
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Crotalus basiliscus produced large amounts of a highly toxic venom, with an average yield of 297 g/bite. The experimental LD50 (median lethal dose) is 11.1 mg/kg when injected intravenously and 12.9 mg/kg when injected into the peritoneum. Antivenin for this species is produced by the Instituto Nacional de Higiene in Mexico.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
Males of this Indonesian insect can have greatly enlarged mandibles, in some subspecies as long as or even slightly longer than the rest of the body!

[Isidro]

Your collection seems to have a strong bias towards stag beetles, and with this hint looks like you're talking about a species of Cyclommatus... will not dare with the exact species tough

[bmathison1972]

Very good @Isidro - coming up with clues for some of these esoteric scarabaeoids produced by Japanese companies is challenging. Just getting the genus was great (tomorrow's will be another, see below...)

Species: Cyclommatus metallifer (Boisduval, 1835)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Epoch
Series/Collection: Beetle Battle 1
Year of Production: 2005
Size/Scale: Body length (including mandibles) approx. 7.0 cm, within scale 1:1 or up to 1:1.3 for the largest subspecies
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the third time we've seen C. metallifer in the Museum. There are two Beetle Battle sets by Epoch, both released in 2005. The sets feature pairs of scarabaeoid beetles that can be displayed as if 'locked in battle'. Each beetle comes with a base that loosely interlocks with the base of the beetle it's paired with. Today's C. metallifer is paired with Prosopocoilus inclinatus (see inset). The beetles require assembly and are removable from their bases.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indonesia
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests
Diet: Larvae feed in decaying logs; adults feed on tree sap, flowers, and overripe fruit
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Males of C. metallifer have greatly enlarged mandibles, and the length varies among the six recognized subspecies. In the subspecies C. m. isogaii from the Thaliabu and Mangole Islands in the Sula Archipelago, the mandibles may be longer than the rest of the body!



Clue for tomorrow's species:
The genus name for this group of beetles are based on the Venezuelan word for them. Known for the erect horn on the pronotum of the males, this is the largest of the genus [sorry another esoteric one]

[Isidro]

Golofa porteri?

[bmathison1972]

Correct again, @Isidro

Species: Golofa porteri Hope, 1837
Common name(s): Porter's goliath beetle; Porter's flower beetle

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kabaya
Series/Collection: Insect Directory
Year of Production: unknown
Size/Scale: Body length (excl. cephalic horn) approx. 3.0 cm for a scale of 1:1.7-1:3.5. Using front femur as a metric (n=1.4 cm), scale comes to 1:1.7 (see below).
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This is the third time we've seen G. porteri in the Museum. The beetle is removable from its base. I had difficulty researching information on the metrics of this species. One website indicates the length is 5-10 cm, but I do not know if that includes the cephalic horn or not. A published study describing an example of teratology in G. porteri indicates the length of a normal front femur is 2.4 cm.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Central America and northern South America, from Guatemala to Venezuela
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical rainforest
Diet: Larvae develop in rotting wood; adults have been documented feeding on Chusquea (South American bamboo)
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had difficulty researching information on this species. In Colombia, adults have been observed feeding and mating on Chusquea. Males use their elongated pronotal and cephalic horns in combat to secure feeding sites and mates.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
This Cambrian carnivore used an armed proboscis to hunt prey in mud and silt on the ocean floor.

[sbell]

Clearly we're getting Opabinia tomorrow!

As for brand... I think you have the Favorite, although it could be one of the Dinotales, or the more recent Kaiyodo update. Outside chance on you having the ROM, COG, or Innovative Kids ones.

[bmathison1972]

Clearly Sean? LOL. About Opabinia however, we have already seen the ROM and small Favorite figures in this thread. I still have the larger (soft vinyl) model by Favorite as well as those by Kaiyodo (2x), Innovative Kids, COG, and Trilobiti Design.


Species: †Ottoia prolifica Walcott, 1911

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series/Collection: Cambrian Life TOOB
Year of Production: 2013
Size/Scale: Body length (excl.) proboscis approx. 7.2 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Other than resin models by Paleozoo, the only other figure of this species I am aware of is a 2005 version by COG Ltd.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Late Cambrian (Miaolingian–Furongian); probably in most seas and oceans of the time
Habitat: Marine, benthic; usually in muddy, sandy, and other soft substrates
Diet: Predator on benthic animals; probably also a scavenger. Cannibalism likely.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Ottoia prolifica is believed to be related to extant priapulid worms. And like modern priapulids, it is believed to have been a benthic hunter and scavenger on the ocean floor. It probably spent most of its time buried in and burrowing among the soft substrate and used an armed proboscis to hunt passing-by prey. It likely also scavenged on dead animals on the sea floor. Also, like modern priapulids, they likely hunted, or scavenged, conspecifics.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
This Holarctic hunter is the world's smallest carnivoran.

[BlueKrono]

I got very excited for a second for some kind of shrew to come our way, but after reviewing weights I think we're getting a Kaiyodo least weasel.

[sbell]

You fooled me with the proboscis part!

I suppose tomorrow is the least weasel, probably the Kaiyodo capsule museum one.

But will it be summer or winter phase!?

[bmathison1972]

Good job guys! Least weasel was correct!

Species: Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766
Common name(s): least weasel; little weasel; common weasel

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series/Collection: Choco Q Animatales Series 7
Year of Production: 2003
Size/Scale: Scale difficult to calculate because of the animal's posture, but body length (excl. tail) approx. 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:2.3-1:5.2 depending on sex and subspecies
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Some assembly is required. This figure also came in its winter color (white). In 2014, Kaiyodo also produced summer and winter versions of least weasel for the Capsule Q Museum Hokkaido collection in 2014.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Holarctic, circumboreal; introduced to New Zealand, Malta, Crete, the Azores, São Tomé
Habitat: Highly variable, including coniferous, deciduous, and mixed woodlands, tropical dry forest, open tundra, bushy taiga, prairie grasslands, agricultural fields, suburban parks and gardens
Diet: Primarily small rodents; rarely lagomorphs, frogs, fish, small birds
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Individual M. nivalis have multiple dens of different substrates in different habitats within their range. The least weasel does not dig its own den, but rather uses the abandoned dens of their prey or other fossorial animals, such as moles and rats. Weasels don't spend a lot of time in a single den at once. In the absence of good denning substrate, weasels may reside in log piles, brush, and tall patches of grass.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
Males of this Madagascan master of camouflage have a prominent bumpy schnozz (females, too, but more prominent in the males)

[Isidro]

Kaiyodo's Furcifer labordi?

[bmathison1972]

Close @Isidro (there were probably multiple options for my description; I didn't know Kaiyodo made F. labordi!)

Species: Furcifer antimena (Grandidier, 1872)
Common name(s): Antimena chameleon; white-lined chameleon

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yujin
Series/Collection: Primary Colour Lizards Book
Year of Production: 2002
Size/Scale: Total figure length approx. 10.0 cm. Snout-to-vent length approx. 5.5 cm for a maximum scale of 1:3 for a male specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This sculpt was originally used for Play Visions' Parson's chameleon (Calumma parsonii) in 1995. Lizards in Yujin's collection reuse sculpts from various sets from the 1990s. Sometimes the sculpt works better for the original designation, sometimes for Yujin's. In this case, I think this sculpt is actually better for an Antimena chameleon than a Parson's.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southwest Madagascar
Habitat: Dry thornscrub, dry savanna
Diet: Insects and spiders
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Furcifer antimena is endemic to the dry thornscrub and savanna in southwestern Madagascar at 5-80 meters in elevation. It's range seems to be restricted by the Onilahy and Mangoky Rivers



Clue for tomorrow's species:
This stout squaliform is known for a specialized organ (photophore) that appears as luminous spots all over its body.

[sbell]

Is tomorrow the Discovery Science angular roughshark?

[bmathison1972]

Yup Sean 

Species: Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s): angular roughshark

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Discovery Science
Series/Collection: Return to the Isle of Jaws
Year of Production: 2018
Size/Scale: Body length approx. 11.0 cm for a scale of 1:4.5-1:13.6
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Presumably unique (at least as a sculpt)
Miscellaneous Notes: Not a bad representation of an unusual species, it's missing some key features (e.g. postocular spiracles) and has too few gill slits (the latter a non-so-uncommon feature with toy sharks).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: East Atlantic, from Norway to South Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea
Habitat: Bathydemersal; usually along the outer continental shelf at depths of 60-1,309 meters
Diet: Benthic invertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Endangered
Miscellaneous Notes: Like other rough sharks in the family Oxynotidae, O. centrina possesses a specialized light-producing organ called a photophore, although the mechanisms and use of the bioluminescence is unknown.



Clue for tomorrow's species:
This microscopic crayfish cousin can exhibit phenotypic plasticity to some predators, whereby an individual changes its behavior, morphology, or physiology in response to specific environmental stressors.