Species information Scientific name: Geograpsus grayiJapanese name: カクレイワガニChinese name: 格雷陸方蟹、葛氏陸方蟹English name: Purple-backed shore crabOrigin: Tropical and subtropical regions from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ecology and description Within the family Grapsidae, the genus Geograpsus is a group with a high degree of adaptation to land. Land crabs store water in their bodies and breathe… Continue reading Purple-backed shore crab
Author: YambaruWanyu
Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Species information Scientific name: Tricholontha papagenaJapanese name: ケブカコフキコガネChinese name: 多毛粉吹金龜English name: Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab BeetlesOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha within the Melolonthidae family. Male individuals have large lamellate antennae, and the Japanese name ケブカ (meaning “hairy”) refers to the many short hairs on their elytra.… Continue reading Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Hallowell’s tree frog
Species information Scientific name: Hyla hallowelliiJapanese name: ハロウエルアマガエルChinese name: 哈氏樹蟾、哈氏雨蛙English name: Hallowell’s tree frogOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Islands Ecology and description The name Hallowell’s tree frog honors Edward Hallowell, a physician from Philadelphia and amateur naturalist who described many Japanese amphibians and reptiles in the 19th century. Males call and breed from March to June during… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Species information Scientific name: Vescelia pieli ryukyuensisJapanese name: リュウキュウサワマツムシChinese name: 琉球擬亮蟋、比爾擬亮蟋琉球亞種、皮爾氏亮蟋琉球亞種English name: Ryukyu stream cricketOrigin: Amamioshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Kumejima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description In streamside environments of Okinawajima and other islands, the clear and high-pitched calls of the Ryukyu stream cricket can often be heard. These sounds are courtship calls produced by males rubbing… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Species information Scientific name: Loepa sakaeiJapanese name: ハグルマヤママユChinese name: 琉球黃豹天蠶蛾English name: Ryukyu Golden Emperor MothOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species is a very beautiful large moth with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be seen from March to October, but it is rare and not often encountered. The larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Ryukyu Matrona damselfly
Species information Scientific name: Matrona japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウハグロトンボChinese name: 琉球羽黑蜻蛉、琉球單脈色蟌English name: Ryukyu Matrona damselflyOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima Ecology and description Ryukyu Matrona damselfly is a common large damselfly species in the Yambaru area. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Matrona basilaris found in China and other regions, but has since been recognized as a… Continue reading Ryukyu Matrona damselfly
Stimpson’s Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon stimpsoniiJapanese name: イシガキトカゲChinese name: 石垣石龍子English name: Stimpson’s skinkOrigin: Iriomote, Ishigaki, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Kohamajima, Haterumajima Ecology and description Stimpson’s skink is a small skink endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, with a total length of about 15cm. It is the smallest skink of the genus Plestiodon in Japan. Stimpson’s skink can be… Continue reading Stimpson’s Skink
Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon kishinouyeiJapanese name: キシノウエトカゲChinese name: 岸上石龍子English name: Kishinoue's giant skinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description Kishinoue’s giant skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching a total length of 40 cm, and inhabits open secondary forest environments. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, it may fall prey to invasive species like… Continue reading Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Sakishima Ground Skink
Species information Scientific name: Scincella boettgeriJapanese name: サキシマスベトカゲChinese name: 先島滑蜥English name: Sakishima ground skinkOrigin: Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonaguni) Ecology and description This species is a small lizard living on the forest floor, with a total length of about 10cm, and is secretive and hard to observe. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, where it… Continue reading Sakishima Ground Skink
Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Species information Scientific name: Pareas iwasakiiJapanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki's slug snakeOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is the only member of the slug snake genus found in Japan, distributed in Ishigaki and Iriomote, and is rarely seen due to its limited numbers. It feeds on snails. The species was named… Continue reading Iwasaki’s Slug Snake