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
Tag: Miyakojima
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
Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメアマガエルChinese name: 沖繩小雨蛙、沖繩飾紋姬蛙English name: Okinawa narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, and Miyako Islands Ecology and description Originally, the Okinawa narrow-mouthed toad and the Taiwanese narrow-mouthed toad were both classified under the South Asian M. ornata. However, a phylogenetic study in 2005 reclassified the Taiwanese population as M.… Continue reading Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad
Black Wood Pigeon
Species information Scientific name: Columba janthinaJapanese name: カラスバトChinese name: 黑林鴿English name: Black wood pigeonOrigin: China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan Ecology and description This species has 3 subspecies: Black wood pigeon primarily dwells in the canopy layer, making it difficult to spot and sometimes only detectable by its call. Reference: Wikipedia Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Black Wood Pigeon
Miyako Toad
Species information Scientific name: Bufo gargarizans miyakonisJapanese name: ミヤコヒキガエルChinese name: 宮古蟾蜍English name: Miyako toadOrigin: Miyako Islands (Miyako Islands (Miyakojima, Irabujima, Shimojijima, Ikemajima, and Kurimajima) Ecology and description Miyako toad is a subspecies of the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans), found in China, and is the only native toad species in the Ryukyu Islands. The breeding season… Continue reading Miyako Toad
Miyako Keelback
Species information Scientific name: Hebius concelarusJapanese name: ミヤコヒバァChinese name: 宮古腹鍊蛇English name: Miyako keelbackOrigin: Miyakojima, Irabujima Ecology and description Miyako keelback is a species endemic to Miyakojima and Irabujima. It is very rare and classified as a “Domestic Rare Wildlife Species” in Japan. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Miyako Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa miyakoensisJapanese name: ミヤコサワガニChinese name: 宮古澤蟹English name: Miyako freshwater crabOrigin: Miyakojima Ecology and description Miyako freshwater crab is an endemic freshwater crab species of Miyakojima. The carapace is about 3 cm wide. Currently, only 4 known habitats exist at groundwater outflow locations. The population is very limited, facing threats from habitat… Continue reading Miyako Freshwater Crab
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
Slaty-legged Crack
Species information Scientific name: Rallina eurizonoides sepiariaJapanese name: オオクイナChinese name: 灰腳秧雞（琉球亞種）English name: Slaty-legged crackOrigin: This subspecies is found on Okinawajima, Miyakojima, and the Yaeyama Islands. Ecology and description The Ryukyu subspecies of the slaty-legged crack is distributed across several islands in Okinawa, with Miyakojima and Ishigaki being the areas where it’s more commonly observed. Adult… Continue reading Slaty-legged Crack