Typopeltis crucifer Japanese Name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese Name: 台灣鞭蠍English Name: Taiwan WhipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonagunijima, Taiwan When threatened, the Whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from the tip of its tail to drive away predators. This species is relatively common on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima but rarely seen on Okinawajima. Males and… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Author: YambaruWanyu
Minei Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa minei Japanese Name: ミネイサワガニChinese Name: 嶺井澤蟹English Name: Minei Freshwater CrabOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The Minei Freshwater Crab is an endemic species found only on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima. It is a small freshwater crab with a carapace length of about 2.5 cm. Its claws are slightly reddish-orange in color.
Goodyera hachijoensis
Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumurana Japanese Name: カゴメランChinese Name: 銀線蓮、假金線蓮English Name: Goodyera hachijoensisOrigin: Izu Islands, Yakushima, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Oshima, Yaeyama Islands, Taiwan Goodyera hachijoensis has also been recorded from Okinawajima, but the number of individuals is very low, making it an extremely rare plant. Due to frequent illegal collection, strong conservation efforts are… Continue reading Goodyera hachijoensis
Little Nipper Crab
Geograpsus grayi Japanese Name: カクレイワガニChinese Name: 格雷陸方蟹、葛氏陸方蟹English Name: Little Nipper CrabOrigin: Widely distributed from the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean and eastern coast of Africa Among the crabs in the family Grapsidae, the genus Geograpsus shows a relatively high degree of terrestrial adaptation. These land crabs store water in their body and extract oxygen… Continue reading Little Nipper Crab
Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Tricholontha papagena Japanese 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, Amamioshima This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha in the scarab subfamily Melolonthinae. Males have large, comb-like (lamellate) antennae. The Japanese common name Kebuka (meaning “hairy”) refers to the dense short hairs on the elytra. There are two recognized subspecies: Larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Hallowell’s tree frog
Hyla hallowellii Japanese 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 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 rainy days, usually in still-water environments… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Vescelia pieli ryukyuensis Japanese 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 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 their forewings together. Although their calls… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Loepa sakaei Japanese 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, Amamioshima This is a large and very beautiful moth species with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be observed from March to October, though sightings are rare due to its low population density. The larval host plant is Actinidia… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly
Matrona japonica Japanese 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, Amamioshima The Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly is a large damselfly species commonly seen in the Yambaru region. It was once considered a subspecies of Matrona basilaris, which is distributed in China and surrounding areas, but has since been recognized as a distinct species.… Continue reading Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly
Stimpson’s Skink
Plestiodon stimpsonii Plestiodon stimpsoniiJapanese Name: イシガキトカゲChinese Name: 石垣石龍子English Name: Stimpson’s SkinkOrigin: Iriomotejima, Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Kohamajima, Haterumashima Stimpson’s Skink is a medium-sized skink found throughout the Yaeyama Islands. It can be observed in a wide range of habitats, from coastal areas to mountain forests. The species name stimpsonii honors the American zoologist William Stimpson.