Species information Scientific name: Macrothele gigasJapanese name: オオクロケブカジョウゴグモChinese name: 巨型長尾蛛English name: Giant Japanese funnel-web spiderOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The Japanese common name for spiders in the funnel-web spider genus (Macrothele), belonging to the family Macrothelidae, is “ジョウゴグモ,” where “ジョウゴ” can be written in kanji as “漏斗,” possibly referring to their funnel-shaped webs. In… Continue reading Giant Japanese Funnel-web Spider
Tag: Ishigaki
White-lipped Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Polypedates leucomystaxJapanese name: シロアゴガエルChinese name: 白頷樹蛙English name: White-lipped Tree FrogOrigin: Widely distributed from northeastern India to the Philippines, throughout Southeast Asia Ecology and description This species has been confirmed on most islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as on Kita-Daito, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigaki), and Yoronjima in… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog
Brown Land Crab
Species information Scientific name: Cardisoma carnifexJapanese name: ミナミオカガニChinese name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English name: Brown land crabOrigin: Coastal areas of Southeast Asia adjacent to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima. Ecology and description Brown land crab, one of the land crabs visible in the Ryukyu Islands, has seen a rapid decline… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis cruciferJapanese name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese name: 台灣鞭蠍English name: Taiwan whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan Ecology and description The whipscorpion defends itself by spraying an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail to repel enemies. This species is more abundant on Ishigaki and Iriomote but is not commonly… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Minei Freshwater Carb
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa mineiJapanese name: ミネイサワガニChinese name: 嶺井澤蟹English name: Minei freshwater carbOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Minei freshwater carb is an endemic species found in Ishigaki and Iriomote. The carapace is only 2.5 cm wide, making it a small freshwater crab. The claws are slightly orange-red. Field photographs taken during our tours,… Continue reading Minei Freshwater Carb
Goodyera Hachijoensis
Species information Scientific name: Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumuranaJapanese 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 Ecology and description Although Goodyera hachijoensis has been recorded on Okinawajima, it is rare and difficult to find. The species faces severe pressure from illegal collection and requires… Continue reading Goodyera Hachijoensis
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Species information Scientific name: Vescelia pieli ryukyuensisJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Stimpson’s Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon stimpsoniiJapanese name: イシガキトカゲChinese name: 石垣石龍子English name: Stimpson’s skinkOrigin: Iriomote, Ishigaki, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Kohamajima, Haterumajima Ecology and description Stimpson’s skink is a small skink endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, with a total length of about 15cm. It is the smallest skink of the genus Plestiodon in Japan. Stimpson’s skink can be… Continue reading Stimpson’s Skink
Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon kishinouyeiJapanese name: キシノウエトカゲChinese name: 岸上石龍子English name: Kishinoue's giant skinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description Kishinoue’s giant skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching a total length of 40 cm, and inhabits open secondary forest environments. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, it may fall prey to invasive species like… Continue reading Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Sakishima Ground Skink
Species information Scientific name: Scincella boettgeriJapanese 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 Yonaguni) Ecology and description This species is a small lizard living on the forest floor, with a total length of about 10cm, and is secretive and hard to observe. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, where it… Continue reading Sakishima Ground Skink