Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa iheyaJapanese name: イヘヤオオサワガニChinese name: 伊平屋澤蟹English name: Iheya Geothelphusa freshwater crabOrigin: Iheyajima Ecology and description This species is endemic to Iheyajima and is closely related to those on Okinawajima (Geothelphusa grandiovata, Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab) and Kumejima (Geothelphusa kumejima, Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater crab). The anterior part of the carapace is notably elevated,… Continue reading Iheya Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Author: YambaruWanyu
Yamashina’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus yamashinaeJapanese name: クメトカゲモドキChinese name: 久米瞼虎English name: Yamashina's ground geckoOrigin: Kumejima Ecology and description This species is characterized by a body pattern primarily consisting of transverse bands, with a few irregular small spots in the bands. The iris of the eye is yellow. ※ Designated as a Natural Monument by Okinawa… Continue reading Yamashina’s Ground Gecko
Red Flower Crab
Species information Scientific name: Orisarma intermediumJapanese name: ベンケイガニChinese name: 中型東方相手蟹English name: Red flower crabOrigin: Korea; Pacific side south of Chiba Prefecture and Japan Sea side south of Akita Prefecture in Japan; northern, eastern, and Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan Ecology and description On summer nights in Yambaru, red flower crabs are often seen on the roads.… Continue reading Red Flower Crab
Yambaru Giant Slug
Species information Scientific name: Meghimatium sp.Japanese name: ヤンバルヤマナメクジChinese name: Yambaru山蛞蝓English name: Yambaru giant slugOrigin: Endemic (sub)species in the Yambaru area, Okinawajima? Ecology and description Yambaru giant slug is a common slug found in the forests of northern Okinawajima. Its body length can reach up to about 15 cm. It is typically light brown and commonly… Continue reading Yambaru Giant Slug
Japanese Silk Moth
Species information Scientific name: Antheraea yamamai yambaruJapanese name: ヤママユ（沖縄亜種）Chinese name: 大透目天蠶蛾（沖繩亞種）English name: Japanese silk mothOrigin: It is distributed in Korea, parts of China, Taiwan, and Japan. In Japan, it is found from Hokkaido to Okinawa, while this subspecies is restricted to Okinawajima. Ecology and description The Japanese silk moth (Antheraea yamamai) in Japan is classified… Continue reading Japanese Silk Moth
Shining Leptopoma
Species information Scientific name: Leptopoma nitidumJapanese name: アオミオカタニシChinese name: 青山蝸牛English name: Shining LeptopomaOrigin: Ryukyu Islands south of the Amami Islands, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea Ecology and description Shining Leptopoma is a common snail in the Ryukyu Islands, easily found in secondary forest environments. Although it looks like a snail, it is taxonomically a terrestrial gastropod.… Continue reading Shining Leptopoma
Pseudogagrella amamiana
Species information Scientific name: Pseudogagrella amamianaJapanese name: ギンボシザトウムシChinese name: 奄美偽盾刺盲蛛English name: Pseudogagrella amamianaOrigin: Southern Kyushu, Yakushima, Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description This species is the most common harvestman from southern Kyushu to the Okinawa Islands. Its back has a bluish-green sheen with a central spine. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation… Continue reading Pseudogagrella amamiana
Common House Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatusJapanese name: ホオグロヤモリChinese name: 疣尾蜥虎English name: Common house geckoOrigin: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Japan, it is distributed in the Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima but can potentially move to other areas along with household furniture. Ecology and description Common house gecko is the most common gecko in… Continue reading Common House Gecko
Brown-winged Tiger Spiketail
Species information Scientific name: Chlorogomphus brunneusJapanese name: カラスヤンマChinese name: 褐翅斑蜓、褐翅裂唇蜓English name: Brown-winged tiger spiketailOrigin: Japan (Shikoku, Kyushu), Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Kerama Islands Ecology and description This species is a large dragonfly. Males have nearly transparent wings, while females have deep brown wings and are often seen flying swiftly in the upper reaches of streams.… Continue reading Brown-winged Tiger Spiketail
Shell Ginger
Species information Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbetJapanese name: ゲットウChinese name: 月桃English name: Shell gingerOrigin: Tropical to subtropical regions of Asia, including Southeast Asia, southern India, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Ecology and description Shell ginger is a very common plant in Okinawa, often planted by the fields as a windbreak hedge. The leaves of… Continue reading Shell Ginger