Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus splendensJapanese name: オビトカゲモドキChinese name: 亮瞼虎English name: Banded ground geckoOrigin: Tokunoshima Ecology and description This species is the smallest among the Ryukyu Goniurosaurus species. Its patterns are primarily banded, with little variation among individuals. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Author: YambaruWanyu
Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus kuroiwaeJapanese name: クロイワトカゲモドキChinese name: 黑岩氏瞼虎English name: Kuroiwa's ground geckoOrigin: South-central Okinawajima, Iejima, Sesokojima, and Yagajijima Ecology and description This species is distributed south of the Nago region on Okinawajima. The back typically has a distinct central longitudinal stripe, while lateral bands are usually absent or incomplete. There is significant variation… Continue reading Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko
Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus
Species information Scientific name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusJapanese name: オオシマトラフコガネ 沖縄亜種Chinese name: 雙環斑金龜（沖繩亞種）English name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima, Iheyajima Ecology and description Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus is a small scarab beetle of the Okinawa Islands, with a body length of 11.7–13.5mm. Adults appear from March to May and are not abundant. They are occasionally found on… Continue reading Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus
Pale shore crab
Species information Scientific name: Geograpsus crinipesJapanese name: オオカクレイワガニChinese name: 毛足陸方蟹English name: Pale shore crabOrigin: Japan (Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands, Satsuma Peninsula, Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima), Taiwan, Red Sea, east coast of Africa, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean Ecology and description The pale shore crab is a land crab that lives on coasts near the… Continue reading Pale shore crab
Luchuena reticulata
Species information Scientific name: Luchuena reticulataJapanese name: キカイキセルガイモドキChinese name: 網紋琉球似煙管蝸牛English name: Luchuena reticulataOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is endemic to the Amami Islands and Okinawajima. In the scientific name Luchuena reticulata, Luchuena is the genus name: Luchu means Ryukyu and ena refers to the land snail genus Ena. This genus occurs… Continue reading Luchuena reticulata
Scutellaria rubropunctata
Species information Scientific name: Scutellaria rubropunctataJapanese name: アカボシタツナミソウChinese name: 斑點黃芩English name: Scutellaria rubropunctataOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description Scutellaria rubropunctata is a perennial herb in the mint family that grows at forest edges and in grasslands in the mountains. It is 10–30cm tall, with a stem that creeps along the ground at the… Continue reading Scutellaria rubropunctata
Ryukyu Raspberry
Species information Scientific name: Rubus grayanusJapanese name: リュウキュウキイチゴChinese name: 中南懸鉤子English name: Ryukyu RaspberryOrigin: China, and in Japan from Tanegashima and Yakushima southwards Ecology and description Ryukyu Raspberry is the most common and abundant raspberry species in the Yambaru area. In winter, large white flowers can be seen along forest roads. Since the flowers bloom downwards,… Continue reading Ryukyu Raspberry
Actinidia rufa
Species information Scientific name: Actinidia rufaJapanese name: シマサルナシChinese name: 腺齒獼猴桃English name: Actinidia rufaOrigin: Southern Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Taiwan, islands in southwestern Korea Ecology and description Actinidia rufa is a close relative of the kiwifruit, and it is a vine, not a tree. People living in Yambaru used to pick and eat the fruit… Continue reading Actinidia rufa
Hibiscus makinoi
Species information Scientific name: Hibiscus makinoiJapanese name: サキシマフヨウChinese name: 牧野氏山芙蓉English name: Hibiscus makinoiOrigin: The Goto Islands in Nagasaki; the Koshikijima Islands, Tanegashima and Yakushima in Kagoshima; the Ryukyu Islands; eastern and southern Taiwan Ecology and description Hibiscus makinoi flowers from autumn to winter. In late autumn, seeing its pink flowers in bloom all over the… Continue reading Hibiscus makinoi
Rubus okinawensis
Species information Scientific name: Rubus okinawensisJapanese name: リュウキュウバライチゴChinese name: 沖繩懸鉤子English name: Rubus okinawensisOrigin: Southern Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description There are three common Rubus species in the Yambaru area of Okinawa, and this is one of them. The Japanese name means “Ryukyu rose raspberry.” Its leaves resemble those of a rose, and it is… Continue reading Rubus okinawensis