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
Tag: Kumejima
Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Species information Scientific name: Fejervarya kawamuraiJapanese name: ヌマガエルChinese name: 川村氏澤蛙、川村陸蛙English name: Kawamura’s rice field frogOrigin: Western Honshu (central region and westward), Shikoku, Kyushu, and some nearby islands in Japan; several islands of the Amami Islands (except Yoronjima) and Okinawa Islands (some islands); parts of China Ecology and description Kawamura’s rice field frog is a Fejervarya… Continue reading Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Barbour’s Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon barbouriJapanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour's SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description This is a medium-sized skink distributed in the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands. The specific epithet commemorates the American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles have a dark brown body with 5 golden lines and a blue… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Species information Scientific name: Serrognathus titanus okinawanusJapanese name: オキナワヒラタクワガタChinese name: 沖繩扁鍬形蟲、沖繩扁鍬English name: Okinawa giant stag beetleOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kourijima, Minnajima, Sesokojima, Hamahigajima, Tsukenjima, Tokashikijima, Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima, Kumejima Ecology and description The Giant Stag Beetle Serrognathus titanus is widely distributed across Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, with 12 subspecies recorded in Japan.… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
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
Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa kumejimaJapanese name: クメジマオオサワガニChinese name: 久米澤蟹English name: Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater crabOrigin: Endemic to Kumejima Ecology and description This species is an endemic freshwater crab of Kumejima, and its body color is mostly bright purple. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Geoemyda japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The… Continue reading Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Okinawa Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus viridisJapanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa tree frogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description From November to May, the breeding calls of Okinawa tree frog can often be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies, and the size difference between the… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Candidiopotamon kumejimenseJapanese name: クメジマミナミサワガニChinese name: 久米明溪蟹English name: Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima Ecology and description This species is endemic to Kumejima. Compared to Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater Crab, which is also found on Kumejima, the Kumejima Candidiopotamon freshwater crab has many protrusions on its carapace, which makes it easy to distinguish between… Continue reading Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab