Species information Scientific name: Mucuna macrocarpaJapanese name: イルカンダChinese name: 血藤English name: Rusty-leaf MucunaOrigin: Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Amami Oshima to Okinawa Islands, and India. Ecology and description The Japanese name “Iru-kanda” is derived from the Okinawan dialect; “イル（iru）” means “color” in Okinawan, and “カンダ（kanda）” means “vine.” Rusty-leaf Mucuna is commonly found in the forests of… Continue reading Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Tag: Kumejima
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Diploderma polygonatumJapanese name: キノボリトカゲChinese name: 琉球龍蜥English name: Ryukyu tree lizardOrigin: The nominate subspecies is distributed in the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The Sakishima subspecies is found in the Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands, while the Yonaguni subspecies is found on Yonaguni Island. Ecology and description This genus was previously named… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus boettgeriJapanese name: ハイChinese name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇English name: Boettger’s coral snakeOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description Boettger’s coral snake is a small venomous snake in the family Elapidae, about 40–50 cm long. It is rare and hard to observe. It lives on the floor of damp natural and secondary forests… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake
Green Grass Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus smaragdinusJapanese name: アオカナヘビChinese name: 翡翠草蜥English name: Green grass lizardOrigin: Takarajima and Kotakarajima in the Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, the Okinawa Islands, Kumejima Ecology and description The green grass lizard is endemic to Japan and lives on some islands of the central Ryukyus. The total length is about… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Ruddy Kingfisher
Species information Scientific name: Halcyon coromanda bangsiJapanese name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese name: 琉球赤翡翠English name: Ruddy kigfisherOrigin: Summer visitor to the Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description Ruddy kigfisher in Ryukyu Islands refers to the subspecies Halcyon coromanda bangsi of the Ruddy kingfisher. It winters in the Philippines and breeds in the Ryukyu Islands during summer. Compared to the… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Species information Scientific name: Pteropus dasymallusJapanese name: クビワオオコウモリChinese name: 琉球狐蝠English name: Ryukyu flying fox / Ryukyu fruit batOrigin: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan Ecology and description The Ryukyu flying fox is divided into several subspecies across the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. The Okinawa flying fox is relatively common on Okinawa Island. These bats enjoy a variety… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox
Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Species information Scientific name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataJapanese name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese name: 琉球油蟬English name: Ryukyu large brown cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description Ryukyu large brown cicada is an endemic species found on the Central Ryukyu islands, including the Amami Islands and the Okinawa Islands. The patterns of populations in the Okinawa… Continue reading Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Zosterops japonicus loochooensisJapanese name: リュウキュウメジロChinese name: 日菲繡眼（琉球亞種）、琉球綠繡眼English name: Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronjima, Okinawajima, Agunijima, Yagajijima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni, Hateruma Ecology and description This is one of the subspecies of the Warbling white-eye (Zosterops japonicus). In the nominate subspecies… Continue reading Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Ryukyu Northern Boobook
Species information Scientific name: Ninox japonica totogoJapanese name: リュウキュウアオバズクChinese name: 琉球褐鷹鴞、日本褐鷹鴞琉球亞種English name: Ryukyu northern boobookOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The scutellate boobook that was previously recognized in Japan was identified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. In 2002, this species was reclassified as a distinct species from Ninox scutulata. It is further divided… Continue reading Ryukyu Northern Boobook
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