Species information Scientific name: Diploderma polygonatumJapanese name: キノボリトカゲChinese name: 琉球龍蜥English name: Ryukyu tree lizardOrigin: The nominate subspecies is distributed in the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The Sakishima subspecies is found in the Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands, while the Yonaguni subspecies is found on Yonaguni Island. Ecology and description This genus was previously named… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Tag: AmamiOshima
Amami Coral Snake
Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicusJapanese name: ヒャンChinese name: 奄美華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇奄美亞種、日本華珊瑚蛇指名亞種English name: Amami coral snakeOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Yorojima, Ukejima Ecology and description The Amami coral snake is a small venomous snake of the family Elapidae (cobra family), with a body length of approximately 30-60 cm. It is rare and difficult to observe. Although there… Continue reading Amami Coral Snake
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
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
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
Amami Crocodile Newt
Species information Scientific name: Echinotriton raffaelliiJapanese name: アマミイボイモリChinese name: 奄美棘螈English name: Amami crocodile newtOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima Ecology and description This species is one of the most primitive in the family Salamandridae, hence it is often referred to as a living fossil. It is named for its rib protrusions. The species is rare and… Continue reading Amami Crocodile Newt
Ruddy Kingfisher
Species information Scientific name: Halcyon coromanda bangsiJapanese name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese name: 琉球赤翡翠English name: Ruddy kigfisherOrigin: Summer visitor to the Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description Ruddy kigfisher in Ryukyu Islands refers to the subspecies Halcyon coromanda bangsi of the Ruddy kingfisher. It winters in the Philippines and breeds in the Ryukyu Islands during summer. Compared to the… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher
Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana amamiensisJapanese name: アマミハナサキガエルChinese name: 奄美臭蛙、奄美鼻先蛙、奄美尖鼻蛙English name: Amami tip-nosed frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description This species is similar in appearance to the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (Odorrana ranina) found in northern Okinawajima, but it is larger, with adults reaching up to 10 cm. Its coloring can vary between brown and… Continue reading Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Species information Scientific name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataJapanese name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese name: 琉球油蟬English name: Ryukyu large brown cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description Ryukyu large brown cicada is an endemic species found on the Central Ryukyu islands, including the Amami Islands and the Okinawa Islands. The patterns of populations in the Okinawa… Continue reading Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Zosterops japonicus loochooensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウメジロChinese Name: 琉球綠繡眼、日菲繡眼琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Warbling White-eyeOrigin: Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, south of Amami Oshima This subspecies is one of the subspecies of the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Compared to the nominate subspecies found in Japan, which has a brownish color under the wings, the Ryukyu subspecies has a whiter chest.… Continue reading Ryukyu Warbling White-eye