Species information Scientific name: Nephila pilipesJapanese name: オオジョロウグモChinese name: 人面蜘蛛、斑絡新婦English name: Giant golden orb weaverOrigin: Japan (Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima), Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia Ecology and description The giant golden orb weaver is the largest spider in Japan. Females are 3.5–5 cm long, while males are only… Continue reading Giant golden orb weaver
Tag: Iheyajima
Amur goby
Species information Scientific name: Rhinogobius brunneusJapanese name: クロヨシノボリChinese name: 褐吻鰕虎English name: Amur gobyOrigin: Japan (Honshu to the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, Taiwan, China Ecology and description This species lives in the middle and upper reaches of streams. The total length is about 6-10cm, and it usually rests on stones on the bottom. It may be a… Continue reading Amur goby
Toyama’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus toyamaiJapanese name: イヘヤトカゲモドキChinese name: 伊平屋瞼虎English name: Toyama’s ground geckoOrigin: Iheyajima Ecology and description This species is characterized by a dark brown base color with yellow bands and lacks a dorsal line. It is the rarest Goniurosaurus gecko species in the Ryukyu Islands. ※ Designated as a Natural Monument in Okinawa… Continue reading Toyama’s Ground Gecko
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
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
Common House Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatusJapanese name: ホオグロヤモリChinese name: 疣尾蜥虎English name: Common house geckoOrigin: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Japan, it is distributed in the Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima but can potentially move to other areas along with household furniture. Ecology and description Common house gecko is the most common gecko in… Continue reading Common House Gecko
Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
Species information Scientific name: Amegilla calceiferaJapanese name: アオスジコシブトハナバチChinese name: 甜無墊蜂English name: Ryukyu blue banded beeOrigin: Amami Oshima to Yonaguni Ecology and description Ryukyu blue banded bee has striking blue stripes on its abdomen and does not build beehives. Male bees rest at night by clamping onto branches with their mandibles. Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
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 blue-tailed skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon marginatusJapanese name: オキナワトカゲChinese name: 沖繩石龍子English name: Okinawa blue-tailed skinkOrigin: Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in the Amami Islands; the Okinawa Islands; Nakanoshima in the Tokara Islands Ecology and description The Okinawa blue-tailed skink has a head-body length of about 6-9cm. It is found in the Okinawa Islands, in Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in… Continue reading Okinawa blue-tailed skink
Okinawa Short-legged Skink
Species information Scientific name: Ateuchosaurus okinavensisJapanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲChinese name: 沖繩光蜥English name: Okinawa short-legged skinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands Ecology and description The Ateuchosaurus genus is characterized by its very short limbs, currently consisting of 3 species: The Okinawa short-legged skink measures about 10-13 cm in total length and often moves under leaf litter, making it difficult to… Continue reading Okinawa Short-legged Skink