Mathison Museum of Natural History

[bmathison1972]

Species: Corymbas nipponica Takeuchi, 1936

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Toys Spirits
Series: Caterpillar Mascot Vol. 2
Year of Release: 2020
Size/Scale: Body length 5.0 cm for a scale of 1.6:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The figures in this set are soft and somewhat stylized, but I could not resist the opportunity to get a larval symphytan! The only other figure of a symphytan hymenopteran I am aware of is the raspberry horntail by Play Visions (which made its appearance in the Museum back on November 19, 2020).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan
Habitat: Fields, forest edges, gardens
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of Rubus (brambles) and Geum (avens); adults attracted to flowers.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had trouble researching any information on this species, which is often considered a subspecies of C. coreana. I was finally able to find a scientific report online from Hyogo University of Agriculture that provided host plant data and larval measurements, which were based on research performed at the university.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Spirogyra sp. (water silk)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.
Series: The Minimum Coexistence - Microbe
Year of Release: 2013
Size/Scale: Figure 4.7 cm long by 0.9 cm wide for a scale of 900:1-90:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The figures in this collection also come with a round, clear plastic base (not shown here) with the Japanese and Latin names and average measurements.

About the Organism:
Geographic distribution: Worldwide
Habitat: Freshwater, including ponds, ditches, edges of large lakes
Diet: Photosynthetic
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A
Miscellaneous Notes: Under normal conditions in a healthy environment, Spirogyra reproduces asexually by fragmentation. However, under harsh conditions (such as when the water environment starts to dry up), Spirogyra will reproduce sexually resulting in the formation of environmentally-hardy zygotes.

[Lanthanotus]

Even if the species depicted is visually unimpressive, the backdrops always are a sight. Am also very impressed with your steady/daily continuity, great work Blaine.

[bmathison1972]

Even if the species depicted is visually unimpressive, the backdrops always are a sight. Am also very impressed with your steady/daily continuity, great work Blaine.

Thanks! Next up:

Species: Micrencaustes lunulata (MacLeay, 1825)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Play Visions
Series: Exotic Beetles
Year of Release: 1998
Size/Scale: Body length 4.5 cm for a scale of approximately 4.5:1-2.5:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure is marked as 'fungus beetle'. I always struggled with the identification of this figure and tentatively identified it as Micrencaustes lunulata. Play Visions figures are often stylized in terms of their paint application, so it could really represent any one of several species.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore)
Habitat: Rainforests
Diet: Larvae and adults feed on hard polypore fungi
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: This is another species I had difficulty finding information on, and had to consult a friend and colleague who is an erotylid specialist. Like other erotylines, both larvae and adults of M. lunulata are found on polypores, although the specific hosts for it are unknown.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Atergatis floridus (Linnaeus, 1767) (floral egg crab)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Bandai
Series: Diversity of Life on Earth - Crabs
Year of Release: 2021
Size/Scale: Carapace width 6.0 cm for a scale of 1:1.3-1:2
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: Some assembly may be required (mine came complete, but the appendages can come off) and there are many points of articulation.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, usually on fringing reefs in the neritic zone
Diet: Scavenger on algae, animal material
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Atergatis floridus is toxic to eat, due to toxins (tetrodotoxin and gonyautoxin 1-4) produced by symbiotic bacteria in the genus Vibrio.

[Halichoeres]

I love that a Spirogyra figure exists.

[bmathison1972]

I love that a Spirogyra figure exists.

As a microbiologist, me too

Next up:

Species: Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758 (seven-spotted lady beetle)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: CollectA
Series: Little Wonders
Year of Release: 2011
Size/Scale: Body length 4.0 cm for a scale of 6:1-5:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Common
Miscellaneous Notes: This is probably the most commonly made species of beetle that does not belong to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea; at the time of this writing I have 14 specimens. The smaller figure in the image is the miniature counterpart of the larger figure; it was released in 2020 as part of the Mini Insects and Spiders collection. All of the figures in the mini collection are simply smaller versions of the standard-sized CollectA figures. The mini figure measures 2.5 cm for a scale of 3.8:1-3.2:1.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Native to the Palearctic; introduced to North America and southern Africa
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, marshes, deserts, agricultural fields, disturbed areas, parks and gardens
Diet: Soft-bodied insects, especially aphids and scale insects
IUCN Status (at time of posting): No Special Status
Miscellaneous Notes: Coccinella septempunctata has been introduced to North America to combat aphid pests. And while it has been successful in doing so, it is unfortunately pushing out native species, including the related nine-spotted lady beetle (C. novemnotata).

[bmathison1972]

Species: Stauropus fagi (Linnaeus, 1758) (lobster moth, larva)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Capsule Q Museum - Caterpillars Vol. 2
Year of Release: 2014
Size/Scale: Figure length 6.5 cm. Measured along midline, body 8.5 cm for a scale of 1.2:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The figure has a wire in it to reposition it, however I would not recommend it as the main body of the figure is stiff appears to be prone to breakage.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Palearctic
Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens
Diet: Larvae feed on numerous species of plants, including but not limited to, those in the genera Acer (maple), Betula (birch), Castanea (chestnut), Prunus (cherries, peaches, almonds), Quercus (oak), Salix (willow), Fagus (beech), and Tilia (linden); adults do not feed.
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Stauropus fagi gets its common English name, 'lobster moth', from the crustacean-like appearance of the larva. When confronted by a would-be predator, the caterpillar engages in a menacing display by arching its body and flaying around its long, slender thoracic legs.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1801) (Australian magpie)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Science & Nature
Series: Animals of Australia
Year of Release: 2019
Size/Scale: Figure height 6.0 cm. Body length 9.0 cm for a scale of roughly 1:4-1:5
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The only other figure of this species I am aware of is by Cadbury (Yowies), which is somewhat stylized and requires assembly.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Trans-Fly region of New Guinea, much of Australia (outside of the large central deserts); introduced to New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Fiji
Habitat: Forest edges, fields, grasslands, parks, gardens, golf courses.
Diet: Omnivore, including earthworms, arthropods, mollusks, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, grains, tubers, fruits, nuts and seeds
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Like some other birds, G. tibicen is known for its 'swooping' behavior during the breeding season whereby the birds will dive-bomb passerbys (including people) that get too close to their nests, in attempt to drive away would-be intruders and predators.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767) (coconut crab)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Okinawa Figure Collection
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Figure width 4.0 cm. Carapace length 1.8 cm for a scale of 1:3-1:11.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure is part of a collection that features different aspects of Japanese culture rather than just animals; there are 15 figures in the set and the only other two that are animals (or at least animals not depicted as food) are an Okinawa rail and Iriomote cat. Some assembly is required. The figure attaches to its coconut base by an acrylic rod, from which it is removable.

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, and coconut meat
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Birgus latro is one of the most terrestrially-adapted crab species, often living several kilometers away from the sea. Female crabs return to the sea to release eggs only when they are ready to hatch. The larval (zoeal) and glaucothoe stages are marine, the latter of which utilizes empty gastropod shells like the related hermit crabs.

[JimoAi]

Species: Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767) (coconut crab)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Okinawa Figure Collection
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Figure width 4.0 cm.
Carapace length 1.8 cm for a scale of 1:3-1:11.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure is part of a collection that features different aspects of Japanese culture rather than just animals; there are 15 figures in the set and the only other two that are animals (or at least animals not depicted as food) are an Okinawa rail and Iriomote cat. Some assembly is required. The figure attaches to its coconut base by an acrylic rod, from which it is removable.

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, and coconut meat
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Birgus latro is one of the most terrestrially-adapted crab species, often living several kilometers away from the sea. Female crabs return to the sea to release eggs only when they are ready to hatch. The larval (zoeal) and glaucothoe stages are marine, the latter of which utilizes empty gastropod shells like the related hermit crabs.

He'll rather be Shiny!

[JimoAi]

Species: Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767) (coconut crab)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Okinawa Figure Collection
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Figure width 4.0 cm. Carapace length 1.8 cm for a scale of 1:3-1:11.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure is part of a collection that features different aspects of Japanese culture rather than just animals; there are 15 figures in the set and the only other two that are animals (or at least animals not depicted as food) are an Okinawa rail and Iriomote cat. Some assembly is required. The figure attaches to its coconut base by an acrylic rod, from which it is removable.

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, and coconut meat
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Vulnerable
Miscellaneous Notes: Birgus latro is one of the most terrestrially-adapted crab species, often living several kilometers away from the sea. Female crabs return to the sea to release eggs only when they are ready to hatch. The larval (zoeal) and glaucothoe stages are marine, the latter of which utilizes empty gastropod shells like the related hermit crabs.

Also, the fish I'm reviewing soon will be from the same line as this crab

[bmathison1972]

Species: Amoeba proteus (Pallas, 1766) (common ameba)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Epoch
Series: Ecology of Plankton
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Figure 3.0 cm long for a scale of 150:1-60:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The figures in the Ecology of Plankton collection come in little jars suspended in a goo (see inset, minus the goo), as if to simulate biological specimens in a lab. I bought my set from forum member sbell, who had already removed the goo (which I probably would have done as well). The jars measure 3.7 cm tall and are 3.0 cm in diameter.

About the Organism:
Geographic distribution: Worldwide
Habitat: Freshwater ponds, ditches, lakes, springs, and slow-moving streams, often in the bottom mud or on aquatic vegetation
Diet: Algae, bacteria, other protozoans, rotifers
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A
Miscellaneous Notes: Being relatively large (for a protozoan) and visible with under low power with a light microscope, A. proteus is commonly used in classrooms for educating students about cell structure and function.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Mecopoda niponensis (de Haan, 1843)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Dreams Come True Ltd.
Series: Sound of Autumn
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Figure length 4.5 cm. Body length (including forewings) 2.0 cm for a scale of 1:2.5-1:3.3
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The Sound of Autumn collection features Asian orthopterans known for their songs. Figures in this set come permanently affixed in small plastic cages, as if to simulate live captive specimens. One can push a button on the side of the cage and it plays the song the animal makes in nature! The cages are 5.5 cm x 4.0 cm x 3.5 cm. Removing them from the cages means irreparably damaging the cages (which was fine by me).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: China, Korean Peninsula, Japan
Habitat: Fields, forests, wetlands, gardens, disturbed areas, usually on low bushes and shrubs
Diet: Leaves and flowers
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had trouble researching information on this species. The scale was calculated based on published data from specimens from China, and the habitat and diet are general for the genus. Mecopoda species are known for their songs; the song of M. niponensis is continuous, sometimes quiet and fast, sometimes loud and slow, with the different rhythm changes gradual and repeated.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Uroteuthis edulis (Hoyle, 1885) (swordtip squid)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Kurioso Komekko Series 2
Year of Release: 2003
Size/Scale: Bottlecap base 3.5 cm in diameter. Figure length 5.5 cm. Mantle length 4.3 cm for a scale of 1:3.5-1:11.6
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: This figure was originally marketed as Lodigo edulis. The figure is removable from its base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Demersal, at depths of 30-170 meters
Diet: Juveniles feed on crustaceans; adults feed on fish
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Data Deficient
Miscellaneous Notes: Members of the genus Uroteuthis have photophores (light-producing organs) on their dorsal and ventral surfaces.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch et Schneider, 1801) (clown triggerfish)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Coral Reef Fish
Year of Release: 2015
Size/Scale: Body length 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:10
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare to uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The figure is removable from its base; the acrylic rod can be cut to the desired height of the collector.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, at depths of 1-75 meters
Diet: Mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, tunicates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Like other triggerfish, B. conspicillum is very territorial and can be aggressive to other fish. When kept in aquaria, they should be kept separate from small fish (which they will bully) and invertebrates (which they will eat).

[JimoAi]

Species: Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch et Schneider, 1801) (clown triggerfish)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Coral Reef Fish
Year of Release: 2015
Size/Scale: Body length 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:10
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare to uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The figure is removable from its base; the acrylic rod can be cut to the desired height of the collector.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, at depths of 1-75 meters
Diet: Mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, tunicates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Like other triggerfish, B. conspicillum is very territorial and can be aggressive to other fish. When kept in aquaria, they should be kept separate from small fish (which they will bully) and invertebrates (which they will eat).

How does it compare to Yujins version?

[bmathison1972]

Species: Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch et Schneider, 1801) (clown triggerfish)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Coral Reef Fish
Year of Release: 2015
Size/Scale: Body length 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:10
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare to uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The figure is removable from its base; the acrylic rod can be cut to the desired height of the collector.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, at depths of 1-75 meters
Diet: Mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, tunicates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Like other triggerfish, B. conspicillum is very territorial and can be aggressive to other fish. When kept in aquaria, they should be kept separate from small fish (which they will bully) and invertebrates (which they will eat).

How does it compare to Yujins version?

I have both (since I bought both complete) but in the end this one appealed to me more.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Mantis religiosa (Linnaeus, 1758) (praying mantis; European mantis)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: CollectA
Series: Little Wonders
Year of Release: 2009
Size/Scale: Figure length 9.5 cm. Body length (including wings) 10.0 cm for a scale of about 2:1-1.3:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Common
Miscellaneous Notes: While few companies have made figures specifically marketed as M. religiosa, most 'bin sets' of insect have a mantid figure which was most certainly influenced by this species. The smaller figure in the image is the miniature counterpart of the larger figure; it was released in 2020 as part of the Mini Insects and Spiders collection. All of the figures in the mini collection are simply smaller versions of the standard-sized CollectA figures. The smaller figure has a body length of 4.8 cm making it about 1:1.5 for a large specimen (or slightly under 1:1 for a small male specimen).

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southern Europe, Asia, North Africa; introduced to Australia and North America
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, disturbed areas, parks, gardens; usually in areas with shrubby vegetation
Diet: Insects
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Mantis religiosa engages in sexual cannibalism, whereby and animal (in this case the female) eats her mate during, after, or even sometimes before copulation. A male is able to successfully mate with a female even after he has lost his head!

[bmathison1972]

Species: Dipsosaurus catalinensis (Van Denburgh, 1922) (Catalina desert iguana)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Wing Mau
Series: Lizards
Year of Release: unknown
Size/Scale: Figure length 12.0 cm. Snout-to-vent length 5.5 cm for a scale of 1:2.4
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare (unique as a sculpt)
Miscellaneous Notes: This sculpt was used by both Wing Mau and Club Earth, and comes in two color forms. While marketed as 'desert iguana' (and probably originally intended to represent nominal D. dorsalis), this color form appears based on the Catalina Island species, D. catalinensis. This figure was probably originally produced by Club Earth before the recognition of D. catalinensis as a valid species.

EDIT September 4, 2021: There is a second color version of this figure that is painted like typical D. dorsalis. I have recently acquired this figure and will review it some day.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Santa Catalina Island, Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Desert, especially in rocky areas
Diet: Plants, flowers
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated [the IUCN does not recognize D. catalinensis as a distinct species and lumps it in with D. dorsalis which is classified as Least Concern.]
Miscellaneous Notes: Dipsosaurus catalinensis was elevated to full species status in 1999 based on morphologic criteria as well as its genetic isolation on Santa Catalina Island.