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
Tag: Iriomote
Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla kuramotoiJapanese name: ヤエヤマヒメアマガエルChinese name: 八重山姬蛙、八重山小雨蛙English name: Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description The Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toad was previously considered to be the Okinawajima narrow-mouthed toad (M. okinavensis). However, a 2020 phylogenetic study further separated the population in the Yaeyama Islands as a distinct species, M. kuramotoi, which is… Continue reading Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Yaeyama Palm
Species information Scientific name: Satakentia liukiuensisJapanese name: ヤエヤマヤシChinese name: 八重山椰子English name: Yaeyama palmOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is a palm tree that can reach a height of 25 meters. It is a rare monotypic genus species endemic to the Yaeyama Islands. Currently, there are only 3 natural cluster sites. However, it is… Continue reading Yaeyama Palm
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
Halcyon Giant Centipede
Species information Scientific name: Scolopendra alcyonaJapanese name: リュウジンオオムカデChinese name: 琉神蜈蚣、青龍蜈蚣（TW）English name: Halcyon giant centipedeOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima, Taiwan Ecology and description This species was described as new in April 2021 ( Reference ), and it is the third known amphibious centipede species in the world. It inhabits stream environments and is known… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede
Sakishima Habu
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops elegansJapanese name: サキシマハブChinese name: 先島原矛頭蝮、先島波布、麗紋龜殼花、先島烙鐵頭English name: Sakishima HabuOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, but not distributed on Yonaguni and Hateruma. It is an introduced species in the southern and central parts of Okinawajima in Japan. Ecology and description Sakishima Habu is about 60-120cm in length, significantly smaller compared to Habu, with a variable… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Species information Scientific name: Papilio bianor juniaJapanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 八重山翠鳳蝶English name: Yaeyama peacock swallowtailOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The Yaeyama peacock swallowtail is a large swallowtail common in the Yaeyama Islands, with a forewing length of 45–80mm. The larvae feed on plants of the citrus family (Rutaceae), and the adults often rest on… Continue reading Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Species information Scientific name: Pachyrhynchus infernalisJapanese name: クロカダゾウムシChinese name: 八重山球背象鼻蟲English name: Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus weevilOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description This species is the only representative of the genus Pachyrhynchus confirmed to occur in Japan, and it is found only on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima. Members of this genus are primarily distributed across the Philippine islands, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Sakishima Green Snake
Species information Scientific name: Cyclophiops herminaeJapanese name: サキシマアオヘビChinese name: 先島青蛇English name: Sakishima green snakeOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Islands Ecology and description Sakishima green snake has a body length of about 50-85 cm, and its color is more like gray-green. The head appears relatively small and sometimes it has dark longitudinal stripes. Juveniles have transverse patterns.… Continue reading Sakishima Green Snake
Sakishima Wolf Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycodon walliJapanese name: サキシママダラChinese name: 先島紅斑蛇、沃氏鏈蛇English name: Sakishima wolf snakeOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This species was originally considered a subspecies of the Red-banded snake (Lycodon rufozonatus), but it has now been elevated to a distinct species. Its pattern is more yellowish compared to the Red-banded snake (Lycodon… Continue reading Sakishima Wolf Snake