Cardisoma carnifex Japanese Name: ミナミオカガニChinese Name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English Name: Brown Land CrabOrigin: Coastal regions of Southeast Asia bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans; in Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima in the Ryukyu Islands. The Brown Land Crab is one of the terrestrial crabs found in the Ryukyu Islands. In recent years, its population has… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Tag: Iriomote
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Typopeltis crucifer Japanese Name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese Name: 台灣鞭蠍English Name: Taiwan WhipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonagunijima, Taiwan When threatened, the Whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from the tip of its tail to drive away predators. This species is relatively common on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima but rarely seen on Okinawajima. Males and… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Minei Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa minei Japanese Name: ミネイサワガニChinese Name: 嶺井澤蟹English Name: Minei Freshwater CrabOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The Minei Freshwater Crab is an endemic species found only on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima. It is a small freshwater crab with a carapace length of about 2.5 cm. Its claws are slightly reddish-orange in color.
Goodyera hachijoensis
Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumurana Japanese Name: カゴメランChinese Name: 銀線蓮、假金線蓮English Name: Goodyera hachijoensisOrigin: Izu Islands, Yakushima, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Oshima, Yaeyama Islands, Taiwan Goodyera hachijoensis has also been recorded from Okinawajima, but the number of individuals is very low, making it an extremely rare plant. Due to frequent illegal collection, strong conservation efforts are… Continue reading Goodyera hachijoensis
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Vescelia pieli ryukyuensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウサワマツムシChinese Name: 琉球擬亮蟋、比爾擬亮蟋琉球亞種、皮爾氏亮蟋琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Stream CricketOrigin: Amamioshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Kumejima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima In streamside environments of Okinawajima and other islands, the clear and high-pitched calls of the Ryukyu Stream Cricket can often be heard. These sounds are courtship calls produced by males rubbing their forewings together. Although their calls… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Stimpson’s Skink
Plestiodon stimpsonii Plestiodon stimpsoniiJapanese Name: イシガキトカゲChinese Name: 石垣石龍子English Name: Stimpson’s SkinkOrigin: Iriomotejima, Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Kohamajima, Haterumashima Stimpson’s Skink is a medium-sized skink found throughout the Yaeyama Islands. It can be observed in a wide range of habitats, from coastal areas to mountain forests. The species name stimpsonii honors the American zoologist William Stimpson.
Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Plestiodon kishinouyei Japanese Name: キシノウエトカゲChinese Name: 岸上石龍子English Name: Kishinoue Giant SkinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Island The Kishinoue’s Giant Skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching up to 40 cm in total length. It inhabits open secondary forests. The species name kishinouyei honors the Japanese ichthyologist Kamakichi Kishinouye.
Sakishima Ground Skink
Scincella boettgeri Japanese Name: サキシマスベトカゲChinese Name: 先島滑蜥English Name: Sakishima Ground SkinkOrigin: Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonagunijima) This small lizard inhabits the forest floor and is highly secretive, making it difficult to observe in the wild.
Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Pareas iwasakii Japanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki’s Slug SnakeOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island This is the only species of the genus Pareas found in Japan. It occurs on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands but is rarely seen due to its low population density. Its primary diet consists of snails. The species name iwasakii honors… Continue reading Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle
Cuora flavomarginata evelynae Japanese Name: ヤエヤマセマルハコガメChinese Name: 八重山食蛇龜English Name: Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box TurtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote The Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle is a subspecies of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle, native to the Yaeyama Islands. Its population is declining due to habitat destruction and illegal collection. Since the 1970s, this species has also been found on Okinawa… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle