Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis stimpsoniiJapanese name: アマミサソリモドキChinese name: 奄美鞭蠍English name: Amami whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kami-Koshikijima Ecology and description The whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail as a defense against predators. This species is endemic to Japan but has… Continue reading Amami Whipscorpion
Category: Other Animals
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis cruciferJapanese name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese name: 台灣鞭蠍English name: Taiwan whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan Ecology and description The whipscorpion defends itself by spraying an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail to repel enemies. This species is more abundant on Ishigaki and Iriomote but is not commonly… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Minei Freshwater Carb
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa mineiJapanese name: ミネイサワガニChinese name: 嶺井澤蟹English name: Minei freshwater carbOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Minei freshwater carb is an endemic species found in Ishigaki and Iriomote. The carapace is only 2.5 cm wide, making it a small freshwater crab. The claws are slightly orange-red. Field photographs taken during our tours,… Continue reading Minei Freshwater Carb
Little Nipper Crab
Geograpsus grayi Japanese Name: カクレイワガニChinese Name: 格雷陸方蟹、葛氏陸方蟹English Name: Little Nipper CrabOrigin: Widely distributed from the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean and eastern coast of Africa Among the crabs in the family Grapsidae, the genus Geograpsus shows a relatively high degree of terrestrial adaptation. These land crabs store water in their body and extract oxygen… Continue reading Little Nipper Crab
Miyako Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa miyakoensisJapanese name: ミヤコサワガニChinese name: 宮古澤蟹English name: Miyako freshwater crabOrigin: Miyakojima Ecology and description Miyako freshwater crab is an endemic freshwater crab species of Miyakojima. The carapace is about 3 cm wide. Currently, only 4 known habitats exist at groundwater outflow locations. The population is very limited, facing threats from habitat… Continue reading Miyako Freshwater Crab
Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Species information Scientific name: Ryukyum yaeyamenseJapanese name: ヤエヤマヤマガニChinese name: 八重山琉球蟹English name: Yaeyama ryukyu crabOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kohama Ecology and description The genus Ryukyum is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, and currently only includes the single species Yaeyama ryukyu crab. This species is designated as a rare species of wildlife in Okinawa Prefecture due to its… Continue reading Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Amami Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Amamiku amamensisJapanese name: アマミミナミサワガニChinese name: 奄美阿神蟹English name: Amami Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima Ecology and description Amami Freshwater Crab belongs to the genus Amamiku, named after the creation goddess Amamiku from Ryukyu culture. This species was initially considered an Amami subspecies of Okinawa Candidiopotamon freshwater crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense),… Continue reading Amami Freshwater Crab
Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa sakamotoanusJapanese name: サカモトサワガニChinese name: 坂本澤蟹English name: Sakamoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Kikaijima Ecology and description Sakamoto Freshwater Crab is distributed not only in the northern part of Okinawajima but also in its central and southern regions. It is also found on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kikaijima, making it… Continue reading Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Coconut Crab
Species information Scientific name: Birgus latroJapanese name: ヤシガニChinese name: 椰子蟹English name: Coconut crabOrigin: Tropical islands along the coasts of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific (with some islands where they have become extinct). In Japan, they are distributed from the Amami Islands to the westernmost Yonaguni. Ecology and description Coconut crab belongs to the family… Continue reading Coconut Crab