Microhyla kuramotoi Japanese name: ヤエヤマヒメアマガエルChinese name: 八重山姬蛙、八重山小雨蛙English name: aeyama Narrow-mouthed ToadOrigin: Yaeyama Islands This species was formerly considered conspecific with Microhyla okinavensis, which is distributed in the Okinawa Islands. However, a phylogenetic analysis in 2020 recognized the Yaeyama population as a distinct species, Microhyla kuramotoi. Yaeyama Narrow-mouthed Toad typically breeds from spring to summer (March… Continue reading Yaeyama Narrow-mouthed Toad
Category: amphibian
Okinawa tip-nosed frog
Odorrana narina Japanese 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) 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 of coloration from green to brown.… Continue reading Okinawa tip-nosed frog
Okinawa Tree Frog
Zhangixalus viridis Japanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa Tree FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima From November to May, the breeding calls of the Okinawa Tree Frog can often be heard in the Yambaru areas. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies and are significantly larger in size, making it relatively easy to distinguish… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Odorrana ishikawae Japanese 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 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 was changed to include the locality,… Continue reading Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Amami ishikawa frog
Odorrana splendida Japanese 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 Odorrana splendida was once considered the same species as the Okinawan Ishikawa frog (Odorrana ishikawae), but it is now classified as a separate species. Compared to O. ishikawae, the Amami Ishikawa Frog has a smaller head, a more yellowish body… Continue reading Amami ishikawa frog
Amami Green Tree Frog
Rhacophorus amamiensis Japanese name: アマミアオガエルChinese name: 奄美樹蛙English name: Amami Green Tree FrogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima The breeding season of the Amami Green Tree Frog runs from December to May, with a peak between January and February. It was once considered a subspecies of the Okinawa Green Tree Frog but is now recognized as a distinct… Continue reading Amami Green Tree Frog
Holst’s frog
Babina holsti Japanese name: ホルストガエルChinese name: 赫氏拇棘蛙、赫魯斯特蛙、琉球拇棘蛙English name: Holst’s frogDistribution: Northern Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Holst’s frog can grow up to 12 cm in length, making it the largest native frog species in Okinawa. It breeds in summer and is known for its low, dog-like calls. When a rival male is nearby, it produces a unique territorial… Continue reading Holst’s frog
Namie’s Frog
Limnonectes namiyei Japanese name: ナミエガエルChinese name: 波江大頭蛙, 波江蛙English name: Namie’s FrogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Namie’s Frog inhabits the upper reaches of mountain streams and breeds in summer. Among species in the same genus, its geographically closest relative is Limnonectes fujianensis, which occurs in Taiwan. In Taiwan, members of this genus are commonly referred to… Continue reading Namie’s Frog
Owston’s Green Tree Frog
Rhacophorus owstoni Japanese Name: ヤエヤマアオガエルChinese Name: 八重山樹蛙English Name: Owston’s Green Tree FrogOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The breeding season of Rhacophorus owstoni runs from December to April. This species was formerly considered a subspecies of Rhacophorus viridis (Okinawan Green Tree Frog), but is now recognized as a distinct species. It is very abundant on Ishigakijima, and roadkill… Continue reading Owston’s Green Tree Frog
Ryukyu Brown Frog
Rana ulma Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカガエルChinese Name: 琉球赤蛙、沖繩林蛙English Name: Ryukyu Brown FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima Brown frog populations from Tokunoshima, Amamioshima, Okinawajima, and Kumejima were once all classified as same species. However, recent studies revealed that although frogs from Okinawajima and Kumejima resemble those from Tokunoshima and Amamioshima in appearance, their vocalizations are noticeably different. As a… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Frog