Species information Scientific name: Coenobita cavipesJapanese name: オカヤドカリChinese name: 凹足陸寄居蟹English name: Cavipes hermit crabOrigin: Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc. Ecology and description Cavipes hermit crab is the most common land hermit crab in the mountains and inland areas of Okinawa. Since this species has the highest degree of terrestrial adaptation, the land hermit crabs seen… Continue reading Cavipes Hermit Crab
Category: Other Animals
Iheya Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa iheyaJapanese name: イヘヤオオサワガニChinese name: 伊平屋澤蟹English name: Iheya Geothelphusa freshwater crabOrigin: Iheyajima Ecology and description This species is endemic to Iheyajima and is closely related to those on Okinawajima (Geothelphusa grandiovata, Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab) and Kumejima (Geothelphusa kumejima, Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater crab). The anterior part of the carapace is notably elevated,… Continue reading Iheya Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Red Flower Crab
Species information Scientific name: Orisarma intermediumJapanese name: ベンケイガニChinese name: 中型東方相手蟹English name: Red flower crabOrigin: Korea; Pacific side south of Chiba Prefecture and Japan Sea side south of Akita Prefecture in Japan; northern, eastern, and Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan Ecology and description On summer nights in Yambaru, red flower crabs are often seen on the roads.… Continue reading Red Flower Crab
Yambaru Giant Slug
Species information Scientific name: Meghimatium sp.Japanese name: ヤンバルヤマナメクジChinese name: Yambaru山蛞蝓English name: Yambaru giant slugOrigin: Endemic (sub)species in the Yambaru area, Okinawajima? Ecology and description Yambaru giant slug is a common slug found in the forests of northern Okinawajima. Its body length can reach up to about 15 cm. It is typically light brown and commonly… Continue reading Yambaru Giant Slug
Shining Leptopoma
Species information Scientific name: Leptopoma nitidumJapanese name: アオミオカタニシChinese name: 青山蝸牛English name: Shining LeptopomaOrigin: Ryukyu Islands south of the Amami Islands, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea Ecology and description Shining Leptopoma is a common snail in the Ryukyu Islands, easily found in secondary forest environments. Although it looks like a snail, it is taxonomically a terrestrial gastropod.… Continue reading Shining Leptopoma
Pseudogagrella amamiana
Species information Scientific name: Pseudogagrella amamianaJapanese name: ギンボシザトウムシChinese name: 奄美偽盾刺盲蛛English name: Pseudogagrella amamianaOrigin: Southern Kyushu, Yakushima, Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description This species is the most common harvestman from southern Kyushu to the Okinawa Islands. Its back has a bluish-green sheen with a central spine. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation… Continue reading Pseudogagrella amamiana
Ryukyu Fishing Spider
Species information Scientific name: Dolomedes orionJapanese name: オオハシリグモChinese name: 大狡蛛English name: Ryukyu fishing spiderOrigin: Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Kumejima Ecology and description Ryukyu fishing spider is the largest hunting-type spider in Japan, and it hunts by the waterside without building a web. Ryukyu fishing spider lightly touches the water surface with its… Continue reading Ryukyu Fishing Spider
Giant House Centipede
Species information Scientific name: Thereuopoda cluniferaJapanese name: オオゲジChinese name: 大蚰蜒、臀獵足蚰English name: Giant house centipedeOrigin: Widely distributed in warm, humid areas of East and Southeast Asia. In Japan, found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands. Ecology and description The giant house centipede can grow up to 7-10 cm and preys on insects and other… Continue reading Giant House Centipede
Blueberry Hermit Crab
Coenobita purpureus Japanese name: ムラサキオカヤドカリChinese name: 紫陸寄居蟹English name: Blueberry Hermit CrabOrigin: Japan, Taiwan The Blueberry Hermit Crab was once considered endemic to Japan but has recently been discovered in Taiwan as well. Juveniles are pale gray and difficult to distinguish from other land hermit crab species. However, adults develop a striking purple coloration, which unfortunately… Continue reading Blueberry Hermit Crab
Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa grandiovataJapanese name: オキナワオオサワガニChinese name: 巨圓澤蟹English name: Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is one of the largest in the genus Geothelphusa found in Japan. Its surface is smooth and glossy, with a wide range of colors including reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, and purplish-brown. The species name grandiovata… Continue reading Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab