Species information Scientific name: Rana ulmaJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Frog
Category: Amphibians
Otton Frog
Species information Scientific name: Babina subasperaJapanese name: オットンガエルChinese name: 隆背拇棘蛙、奧頓蛙English name: Otton frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakemaru Island Ecology and description The specific name subaspera of Otton frog means raised, referring to the protrusions on its back. The Japanese common name “Otton” means “giant” in the Amami dialect. Male Otton frog can reach a length of… Continue reading Otton Frog
Hallowell’s tree frog
Species information Scientific name: Hyla hallowelliiJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメアマガエルChinese name: 沖繩小雨蛙、沖繩飾紋姬蛙English name: Okinawa narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, and Miyako Islands Ecology and description Originally, the Okinawa narrow-mouthed toad and the Taiwanese narrow-mouthed toad were both classified under the South Asian M. ornata. However, a phylogenetic study in 2005 reclassified the Taiwanese population as M.… Continue reading Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad
Ryukyu Kajika Frog
Species information Scientific name: Buergeria japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウカジカガエルChinese name: 日本樹蛙、日本河鹿蛙English name: Ryukyu kajika frogOrigin: Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description Ryukyu kajika frog is not actually found on Japan’s Honshu island but is distributed throughout the Ryukyu Islands south of Kuchinoshima in the Tokara Islands (excluding the Miyako Islands, Kita Daito, and… Continue reading Ryukyu Kajika Frog
Okinawa crocodile newt
Species information Scientific name: Echinotriton andersoniJapanese name: オキナワイボイモリChinese name: 沖繩棘螈English name: Okinawa crocodile newtOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description This species is designated as a natural monument in Okinawa Prefecture and is one of the most primitive species in the family Salamandridae. For this reason, it is often referred to as a “living fossil.” The… Continue reading Okinawa crocodile newt
Yaeyama Music Frog
Species information Scientific name: Nidirana okinavanaJapanese name: ヤエヤマハラブチガエルChinese name: 琉球琴蛙English name: Yaeyama music frogOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The call of the Yaeyama music frog resembles the sound of playing a harp, which is very unique. They mainly dig burrows for breeding in mudflats during the summer. It is crucial not to step into… Continue reading Yaeyama Music Frog
Miyako Toad
Species information Scientific name: Bufo gargarizans miyakonisJapanese name: ミヤコヒキガエルChinese name: 宮古蟾蜍English name: Miyako toadOrigin: Miyako Islands (Miyako Islands (Miyakojima, Irabujima, Shimojijima, Ikemajima, and Kurimajima) Ecology and description Miyako toad is a subspecies of the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans), found in China, and is the only native toad species in the Ryukyu Islands. The breeding season… Continue reading Miyako Toad
Sword-tail Newt
Species information Scientific name: Cynops ensicaudaJapanese name: シリケンイモリChinese name: 劍尾蠑螈English name: Sword-tail newtOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description The species name Sword-tail newt ensicauda means sword (ensis) and tail (cauda). This species is divided into different subspecies between the Okinawa Islands and the Amami Islands. Interestingly, Tokunoshima, which lies between the Okinawa Islands… Continue reading Sword-tail Newt
Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana supranarinaJapanese name: オオハナサキガエルChinese name: 大臭蛙、八重山臭蛙English name: Greater tip-nosed frogOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Greater tip-nosed frog is an endemic species found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote. Its species name, supranarina, means larger than the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (O. narina). The body length of males is about 6-7 cm, while… Continue reading Greater Tip-nosed Frog