Species information Scientific name: Scolopendra alcyonaJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede
Author: YambaruWanyu
Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana narinaJapanese name: ハナサキガエルChinese name: 琉球臭蛙、沖繩臭蛙、沖繩鼻先蛙、沖繩尖吻蛙、琉球尖鼻蛙English name: Okinawa tip-nosed frogOrigin: Northern Okinawajima (endemic) Ecology and description This species is commonly found in the forested areas of Okinawa and resembles the Swinhoe’s frog (Odorrana swinhoana) found in Taiwan. However, it is slightly larger, has a higher-pitched call, and shows a wide range… Continue reading Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog
Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa kumejima Japanese name: クメジマオオサワガニChinese name: 久米澤蟹English name: Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima Geothelphusa kumejima is a freshwater crab endemic to Kumejima. Its body color often shows a purplish tint.
Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa aramotoi Japanese name: アラモトサワガニChinese name: 新本澤蟹English name: Aramoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima Geothelphusa aramotoi is a freshwater crab with a carapace width of about 3 cm and has the most limited distribution among the species found on Okinawajima. It is restricted to specific mountain stream basins. Unlike other freshwater crabs that may leave the… Continue reading Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Sakishima Habu
Protobothrops elegans Japanese name: サキシマハブChinese name: 先島原矛頭蝮、先島波布、麗紋龜殼花、先島烙鐵頭English name: Sakishima HabuOrigin: Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonagunijima and Haterumajima). In southern and central Okinawajima, it is a domestic alien species. The Sakishima Habu is a relatively small pit viper, measuring about 60 to 120 cm in length, much smaller than the Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its body is generally… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Geoemyda japonica Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is closely related to the turtle species Geoemyda spengleri, which is distributed in China and Vietnam. It was once considered a subspecies of G. spengleri but was recognized as a distinct species in 1992.… Continue reading Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Okinawa Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus viridisJapanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa tree frogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description From November to May, the breeding calls of Okinawa tree frogs can frequently be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. The males have yellow bellies while the females have white bellies, and their significant difference… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana ishikawaeJapanese name: オキナワイシカワガエルChinese name: 沖繩石川蛙English name: Okinawa ishikawa frogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Originally, the name “Ishikawa frog” referred to populations found on both Amami Oshima and Okinawajima. After the Amami population was classified as a separate species (Odorrana splendida), the Japanese name for the Okinawan population… Continue reading Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Amami Ishikawa Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana splendidaJapanese name: アマミイシカワガエルChinese name: 奄美石川蛙、大島臭蛙English name: Amami ishikawa frogOrigin: Endemic to Amami Oshima Ecology and description The Amami ishikawa’s frog was originally considered conspecific with the Okinawa ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana ishikawae). However, morphological and genetic studies in 2011 confirmed significant genetic differentiation in the Amami Oshima population, leading to its… Continue reading Amami Ishikawa Frog
Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Candidiopotamon kumejimense Japanese name: クメジマミナミサワガニChinese name: 久米明溪蟹English name: Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima (endemic) This species is endemic to Kumejima. Compared to Geothelphusa kumejima, it has coarse wrinkles and protuberances on the surface of its carapace, making it easy to distinguish by appearance. The genus Candidiopotamon is distributed only in Taiwan and some of the… Continue reading Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab