Species information Scientific name: Satakentia liukiuensisJapanese name: ヤエヤマヤシChinese name: 八重山椰子English name: Yaeyama palmOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is a palm tree that can reach a height of 25 meters. It is a rare monotypic genus species endemic to the Yaeyama Islands. Currently, there are only 3 natural cluster sites. However, it is… Continue reading Yaeyama Palm
Author: YambaruWanyu
Okinawa Needlewood Tree
Species information Scientific name: Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and in Japan, it can be found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Ecology and description Okinawa needlewood tree is mainly found in the Ogasawara Islands and the Ryukyu Islands in… Continue reading Okinawa Needlewood Tree
Satsuma eucosmia eucosmia
Species information Scientific name: Satsuma eucosmia eucosmiaJapanese name: オキナワヤマタカマイマイChinese name: 沖繩高腰蝸牛English name: Satsuma eucosmia eucosmiaOrigin: Okinawajima, Hamahigajima Ecology and description Satsuma eucosmia is an arboreal land snail with the following two subspecies: S. e. eucosmia occurs in two isolated areas of Okinawajima, one in the north and one in the south, and is absent from… Continue reading Satsuma eucosmia eucosmia
Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Candidiopotamon okinawenseJapanese name: オキナワミナミザワガニChinese name: 沖繩明溪蟹English name: Okinawa Candidiopotamon freshwater crabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Ecology and description The genus Candidiopotamon is found only in Taiwan and parts of the Central Ryukyus. Five species are currently known, three in Okinawa Prefecture and two in Taiwan: Candidiopotamon okinawense, the species found on Okinawajima,… Continue reading Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Halcyon Giant Centipede
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
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
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa kumejimaJapanese name: クメジマオオサワガニChinese name: 久米澤蟹English name: Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater crabOrigin: Endemic to Kumejima Ecology and description This species is an endemic freshwater crab of Kumejima, and its body color is mostly bright purple. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa aramotoiJapanese name: アラモトサワガニChinese name: 新本澤蟹English name: Aramoto freshwater crabOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima Ecology and description The Aramoto freshwater crab has a carapace width of about 3cm and a narrow distribution, found only in a few streams. Other freshwater crabs in Okinawa sometimes leave the water temporarily, but the Aramoto freshwater crab… Continue reading Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Sakishima Habu
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops elegansJapanese 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, but not distributed on Yonaguni and Hateruma. It is an introduced species in the southern and central parts of Okinawajima in Japan. Ecology and description Sakishima Habu is about 60-120cm in length, significantly smaller compared to Habu, with a variable… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Geoemyda japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The… Continue reading Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle