Species information Scientific name: Fejervarya kawamuraiJapanese name: ヌマガエルChinese name: 川村氏澤蛙、川村陸蛙English name: Kawamura’s rice field frogOrigin: Western Honshu (central region and westward), Shikoku, Kyushu, and some nearby islands in Japan; several islands of the Amami Islands (except Yoronjima) and Okinawa Islands (some islands); parts of China Ecology and description Kawamura’s rice field frog is a Fejervarya… Continue reading Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Category: amphibian
Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla kuramotoiJapanese 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: Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description The Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toad was previously considered to be the Okinawajima narrow-mouthed toad (M. okinavensis). However, a 2020 phylogenetic study further separated the population in the Yaeyama Islands as a distinct species, M. kuramotoi, which is… Continue reading Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
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
Okinawa Tree Frog
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 frogs can frequently be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. The males have yellow bellies while the females have white bellies, and their significant difference… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
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
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
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
Namie’s Frog
Species information Scientific name: Limnonectes namiyeiJapanese 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 Ecology and description Namie’s frog inhabits the upper reaches of mountain streams and breeds during the summer. It is characterized by its large head and belongs to the same genus as the Fujian large-headed frog (L. fujianensis)… Continue reading Namie’s Frog
Owston’s Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus owstoniJapanese name: ヤエヤマアオガエルChinese name: 八重山樹蛙English name: Owston’s tree frogOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description The breeding season of Zhangixalus owstoni runs from December to April. This species was formerly considered a subspecies of Zhangixalus viridis (Okinawan tree frog), but is now recognized as a distinct species. It is very abundant… Continue reading Owston’s Tree Frog