Species information Scientific name: Diplothrix legataJapanese name: ケナガネズミChinese name: 琉球長毛鼠English name: Ryukyu long-furred ratOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, and Amami Oshima Ecology and description The Ryukyu long-furred rat is the only species in the genus Diplothrix, and it is one of the most representative animals of the central Ryukyu Islands. It is designated as… Continue reading Ryukyu Long-Furred Rat
Tag: AmamiOshima
Ryukyu Flycatcher
Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Species information Scientific name: Rinaca japonica ryukyuensisJapanese name: クスサンChinese name: 雙黑目天蠶蛾（琉球亞種）English name: Okinawa giant silkwormOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima Ecology and description The Rinaca japonica species is divided into three subspecies based on their distribution: The adults of the Ryukyu subspecies have a darker color than the mainland subspecies. Although the Japanese name クスサン (Camphor… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Oshima Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon oshimensisJapanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima skinkOrigin: Amami Islands (excluding Yoron Island and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) Ecology and description This species has a total length of about 20 cm, with a snout-vent length of 6-11 cm. It resembles Okinawa Skink (Plestiodon marginatus) which is distributed in… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
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
Barbour’s Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon barbouriJapanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour's SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description This is a medium-sized skink distributed in the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands. The specific epithet commemorates the American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles have a dark brown body with 5 golden lines and a blue… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Amami Woodcock
Species information Scientific name: Scolopax miraJapanese name: アマミヤマシギChinese name: 奄美山鷸English name: Amami woodcockOrigin: The main breeding grounds are Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, and Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, while it is a winter visitor to Okinawajima. Ecology and description Woodcock species are nocturnal birds. The Amami woodcock is a resident bird of the Amami Islands and… Continue reading Amami Woodcock
Okinawa Needlewood Tree
Species information Scientific name: Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and in Japan, it can be found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Ecology and description Okinawa needlewood tree is mainly found in the Ogasawara Islands and the Ryukyu Islands in… Continue reading Okinawa Needlewood Tree
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
Ryukyu Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora komadoriJapanese name: アカヒゲChinese name: 琉球歌鴝English name: Ryukyu robinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Danjo Islands, Tokara Islands (resident or summer bird) Ecology and description Ryukyu robin are distributed on islands north of Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Islands, but in winter, they may migrate south, with records of sightings on Okinawajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan,… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin