Bredia okinawensis Japanese name: コバノミヤマノボタンChinese name: 小葉深山野牡丹English name: Okinawa BrediaOrigin: Endemic to the northern part of Okinawajima This species is endemic to the Yambaru region in northern Okinawajima. It can be distinguished from the commonly seen Melastoma candidum, which has larger flowers with five petals. Okinawa Bredia typically has smaller flowers with four petals and… Continue reading Okinawa Bredia
Author: YambaruWanyu
Blueberry Hermit Crab
Coenobita purpureus Japanese name: ムラサキオカヤドカリChinese name: 紫陸寄居蟹English name: Blueberry Hermit CrabOrigin: Japan, Taiwan The Blueberry Hermit Crab was once considered endemic to Japan but has recently been discovered in Taiwan as well. Juveniles are pale gray and difficult to distinguish from other land hermit crab species. However, adults develop a striking purple coloration, which unfortunately… Continue reading Blueberry Hermit Crab
Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa grandiovata Japanese name: オキナワオオサワガニChinese name: 巨圓澤蟹English name: Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Geothelphusa grandiovata is the largest species of Geothelphusa freshwater crabs found in Japan. Its carapace is smooth and glossy, and coloration varies widely from reddish brown to yellowish brown and purplish brown. The species name grandiovata is a combination of “grandis”… Continue reading Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Yaeyama Narrow-mouthed Toad
Microhyla kuramotoi Japanese name: ヤエヤマヒメアマガエルChinese name: 八重山姬蛙、八重山小雨蛙English name: aeyama Narrow-mouthed ToadOrigin: Yaeyama Islands This species was formerly considered conspecific with Microhyla okinavensis, which is distributed in the Okinawa Islands. However, a phylogenetic analysis in 2020 recognized the Yaeyama population as a distinct species, Microhyla kuramotoi. Yaeyama Narrow-mouthed Toad typically breeds from spring to summer (March… Continue reading Yaeyama Narrow-mouthed Toad
Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Pyrocoelia matsumurai Japanese name: オキナワマドボタルChinese name: 沖繩窗螢English name: Okinawa Pyrocoelia FireflyOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and the Yaeyama Islands Pyrocoelia matsumurai, a species belonging to the genus Pyrocoelia, is divided into the following three subspecies: In the Yambaru region, if you turn off your flashlight near damp roadside ditches, you may be able… Continue reading Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Yaeyama Palm
Satakentia liukiuensis Japanese name: ヤエヤマヤシChinese name: 八重山椰子English name: Yaeyama PalmOrigin: Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima This palm species can grow up to 25 meters tall and is a rare plant belonging to a monotypic genus. It is endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, and only three natural populations are currently known. However, it is widely planted as a… Continue reading Yaeyama Palm
Okinawa needlewood tree
Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In Japan, it is found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Schima wallichii is distributed mainly in the Ogasawara and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The populations in these two regions differ slightly in appearance,… Continue reading Okinawa needlewood tree
Satsuma eucosmia
Satsuma eucosmia eucosmia Japanese name: オキナワヤマタカマイマイ (ヤンバルヤマタカマイマイ)Chinese name: 沖繩高腰蝸牛English name: Satsuma eucosmiaOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iejima, Sesokojima, Tsukenjima, etc.). A different subspecies is found on Okinoerabujima in Kagoshima Prefecture. Among the arboreal species of the genus Satsuma distributed in the Okinawa Islands, the following are relatively common on Okinawajima: Satsuma eucosmia shows significant color variation.… Continue reading Satsuma eucosmia
Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Candidiopotamon okinawense Japanese name: オキナワミナミザワガニChinese name: 沖繩明溪蟹English name: Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima The genus Candidiopotamon is found only in Taiwan and parts of the Central Ryukyus. Five species are currently known, three in Okinawa Prefecture and two in Taiwan: Candidiopotamon okinawense, the species found on Okinawajima, is known for its aggressive behavior.… Continue reading Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Halcyon Giant Centipede
Scolopendra alcyona Japanese name: リュウジンオオムカデChinese name: 琉神蜈蚣、青龍蜈蚣（TW）English name: Halcyon Giant CentipedeOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima, Taiwan This species was described as new in April 2021 ( Reference ), and it is the third known amphibious centipede species in the world. It inhabits stream environments and is known to dive into the water when… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede