Species information Scientific name: Buergeria japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウカジカガエルChinese name: 日本樹蛙、日本河鹿蛙English name: Ryukyu kajika frogOrigin: Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description Ryukyu kajika frog is not actually found on Japan’s Honshu island but is distributed throughout the Ryukyu Islands south of Kuchinoshima in the Tokara Islands (excluding the Miyako Islands, Kita Daito, and… Continue reading Ryukyu Kajika Frog
Tag: Iheyajima
Himehabu
Species information Scientific name: Ovophis okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメハブChinese name: 姬波布, 沖繩烙鐵頭English name: Himehabu, Okinawa pit viperOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima), Amami Islands (Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yorojima, Tokunoshima) Ecology and description The Himehabu is a venomous snake that grows up to 80 cm in length. Its Japanese name, “Himehabu,” includes the word… Continue reading Himehabu
Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycondon semicarinatumJapanese name: アカマタChinese name: 琉球紅斑蛇、半稜狼齒蛇English name: Ryukyu odd-tooth snakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 170 cm in length. However, juveniles are particularly aggressive. It is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Yambaru and… Continue reading Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Species information Scientific name: Treron permagnusJapanese name: リュウキュウアオバトChinese name: 琉球綠鳩English name: Ryukyu green pigeonOrigin: Yakushima, Tanegashima, Tokara Islands, Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu green pigeon was formerly considered one of the subspecies of the Taiwan green pigeon (Treron formosae), but recent molecular studies support its status as… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Trypoxylus dichotomus takaraiJapanese name: オキナワカブトムシChinese name: 沖繩獨角仙English name: Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)Origin: Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Iejima, Iheyajima Ecology and description This beetle is the Okinawa subspecies of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle found on mainland Japan, and it occurs only in the Okinawa Islands. Compared with the mainland subspecies, the males have… Continue reading Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)
Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus
Species information Scientific name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusJapanese name: オオシマトラフコガネ 沖縄亜種Chinese name: 雙環斑金龜（沖繩亞種）English name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima, Iheyajima Ecology and description Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus is a small scarab beetle of the Okinawa Islands, with a body length of 11.7–13.5mm. Adults appear from March to May and are not abundant. They are occasionally found on… Continue reading Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus
Ryukyu Raspberry
Species information Scientific name: Rubus grayanusJapanese name: リュウキュウキイチゴChinese name: 中南懸鉤子English name: Ryukyu RaspberryOrigin: China, and in Japan from Tanegashima and Yakushima southwards Ecology and description Ryukyu Raspberry is the most common and abundant raspberry species in the Yambaru area. In winter, large white flowers can be seen along forest roads. Since the flowers bloom downwards,… Continue reading Ryukyu Raspberry
Itajii chinkapin
Species information Scientific name: Castanopsis sieboldii var. lutchuensisJapanese name: イタジイChinese name: 長果椎、長果錐English name: Itajii chinkapinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Found south of Amami Oshima, Itajii chinkapin is one of the varieties of Castanopsis sieboldii (var. lutchuensis) and one of the most dominant… Continue reading Itajii chinkapin