Species information Scientific name: Echinotriton raffaelliiJapanese name: アマミイボイモリChinese name: 奄美棘螈English name: Amami crocodile newtOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima Ecology and description This species is one of the most primitive in the family Salamandridae, hence it is often referred to as a living fossil. It is named for its rib protrusions. The species is rare and… Continue reading Amami Crocodile Newt
Author: YambaruWanyu
Ruddy Kingfisher
Species information Scientific name: Halcyon coromanda bangsiJapanese name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese name: 琉球赤翡翠English name: Ruddy kigfisherOrigin: Summer visitor to the Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description Ruddy kigfisher in Ryukyu Islands refers to the subspecies Halcyon coromanda bangsi of the Ruddy kingfisher. It winters in the Philippines and breeds in the Ryukyu Islands during summer. Compared to the… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher
Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana amamiensisJapanese name: アマミハナサキガエルChinese name: 奄美臭蛙、奄美鼻先蛙、奄美尖鼻蛙English name: Amami tip-nosed frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description This species is similar in appearance to the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (Odorrana ranina) found in northern Okinawajima, but it is larger, with adults reaching up to 10 cm. Its coloring can vary between brown and… Continue reading Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Species information Scientific name: Pteropus dasymallusJapanese name: クビワオオコウモリChinese name: 琉球狐蝠English name: Ryukyu flying fox / Ryukyu fruit batOrigin: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan Ecology and description The Ryukyu flying fox is divided into several subspecies across the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. The Okinawa flying fox is relatively common on Okinawa Island. These bats enjoy a variety… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox
Coconut Crab
Species information Scientific name: Birgus latroJapanese name: ヤシガニChinese name: 椰子蟹English name: Coconut crabOrigin: Tropical islands along the coasts of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific (with some islands where they have become extinct). In Japan, they are distributed from the Amami Islands to the westernmost Yonaguni. Ecology and description Coconut crab belongs to the family… Continue reading Coconut Crab
Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Mauremys mutica kamiJapanese name: ヤエヤマイシガメChinese name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜English name: Yaeyama yellow pond turtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Yaeyama yellow pond turtle is a subspecies of the yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica), found on Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni. As of 2018, the yellow pond turtle was classified as CR (Critically Endangered)… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Species information Scientific name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataJapanese name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese name: 琉球油蟬English name: Ryukyu large brown cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description Ryukyu large brown cicada is an endemic species found on the Central Ryukyu islands, including the Amami Islands and the Okinawa Islands. The patterns of populations in the Okinawa… Continue reading Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Polynesian Rat
Species information Scientific name: Rattus exulansJapanese name: ナンヨウネズミChinese name: 緬甸小鼠、波里尼西亞鼠English name: Polynesian ratOrigin: Southeast Asia Ecology and description Although Polynesian rat originally comes from Southeast Asia, it has invaded many places, including Miyakojima in Japan. The routes of invasion are unclear. Polynesian rat is good at climbing trees and can often be seen in the… Continue reading Polynesian Rat
Asian Emerald Dove
Species information Scientific name: Chalcophaps indicaJapanese name: キンバトChinese name: 翠翼鳩English name: Asian emerald doveOrigin: South Asia, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Ryukyu Islands (Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Yonaguni) Ecology and description The Asian emerald dove is about 25cm long. Males have white feathers from the forehead to above the eye, while females have gray ones. In… Continue reading Asian Emerald Dove
Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Zosterops japonicus loochooensisJapanese name: リュウキュウメジロChinese name: 日菲繡眼（琉球亞種）、琉球綠繡眼English name: Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronjima, Okinawajima, Agunijima, Yagajijima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni, Hateruma Ecology and description This is one of the subspecies of the Warbling white-eye (Zosterops japonicus). In the nominate subspecies… Continue reading Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)