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 frog can often be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies, and the size difference between the… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Author: YambaruWanyu
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
Species information Scientific name: Candidiopotamon kumejimenseJapanese 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 Ecology and description This species is endemic to Kumejima. Compared to Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater Crab, which is also found on Kumejima, the Kumejima Candidiopotamon freshwater crab has many protrusions on its carapace, which makes it easy to distinguish between… Continue reading Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Eurasian Woodcock
Species information Scientific name: Scolopax rusticolaJapanese name: ヤマシギChinese name: 山鷸English name: Eurasian woodcockOrigin: Widely distributed across Eurasia, breeding in middle latitudes in summer and wintering in southern areas; it is a winter visitor in the Ryukyu Islands. Ecology and description The Eurasian woodcock can be observed in the Ryukyu Islands from late September to March… Continue reading Eurasian Woodcock
Okinawa Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora namiyeiJapanese name: ホントウアカヒゲChinese name: 沖繩歌鴝English name: Okinawa robinOrigin: Northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Okinawa robin is an endemic species found in the Yambaru area of northern Okinawajima. Male Okinawa robin have black feathers from the breast to the face, while females have gray feathers in the same area. Okinawa robin… Continue reading Okinawa Robin
Ryukyu Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora komadoriJapanese name: アカヒゲChinese name: 琉球歌鴝English name: Ryukyu robinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Danjo Islands, Tokara Islands (resident or summer bird) Ecology and description Ryukyu robin are distributed on islands north of Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Islands, but in winter, they may migrate south, with records of sightings on Okinawajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan,… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin
Amami Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus amamiensisJapanese name: アマミアオガエルChinese name: 奄美樹蛙English name: Amami tree frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yoroshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description The Amami tree frog was originally classified as a subspecies of the Okinawa tree frog (Zhangixalus viridis). However, following genetic research and morphological analysis, it was elevated to a distinct species. In… Continue reading Amami Tree Frog
Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Species information Scientific name: Papilio bianor juniaJapanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 八重山翠鳳蝶English name: Yaeyama peacock swallowtailOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The Yaeyama peacock swallowtail is a large swallowtail common in the Yaeyama Islands, with a forewing length of 45–80mm. The larvae feed on plants of the citrus family (Rutaceae), and the adults often rest on… Continue reading Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Holst’s frog
Species information Scientific name: Babina holsti Japanese name: ホルストガエルChinese name: 赫氏拇棘蛙、琉球拇棘蛙English name: Holst’s frogDistribution: Northern Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Holst’s frog is designated as a Natural Monument of Okinawa Prefecture. With adults reaching up to 12 cm in length, it is the largest native frog species on Okinawa Island. The breeding season occurs in summer,… Continue reading Holst’s frog