Melanabropsis yanbarensis Japanese name: ヤンバルクロギリスChinese name: 山原烏黯螽English name: Yambaru Chevron CricketOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima The Yambaru Chevron Cricket was once thought to be endemic to Okinawajima, but its presence was also confirmed on Kumejima in recent years. It typically inhabits areas near large trees such as Castanopsis sieboldii that can form tree cavities. The presence of… Continue reading Yambaru Chevron Cricket
Tag: Okinawajima
Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Symplocos liukiuensis liukiuensis Japanese name: アオバナハイノキChinese name: 青花灰木English name: Ryukyu SweetleafOrigin: Endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima This subspecies is endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima. A related subspecies, Symplocos liukiuensis iriomotensis (Iriomote Sweetleaf), is found only on Iriomotejima. It produces small, delicate purple flowers around February, which are highly ornamental. Unfortunately, its beauty has led to… Continue reading Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Ryukyu Brown Frog
Rana ulma Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカガエルChinese Name: 琉球赤蛙、沖繩林蛙English Name: Ryukyu Brown FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima Brown frog populations from Tokunoshima, Amamioshima, Okinawajima, and Kumejima were once all classified as same species. However, recent studies revealed that although frogs from Okinawajima and Kumejima resemble those from Tokunoshima and Amamioshima in appearance, their vocalizations are noticeably different. As a… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Frog
White-lipped Tree Frog
Polypedates leucomystax Japanese Name: シロアゴガエルChinese Name: 白頷樹蛙English Name: White-lipped Tree FrogOrigin: Widely distributed in Southeast Asia, from northeastern India to the Philippines Reference: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Invasive Species Databasehttps://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/40030.html This species has been confirmed on many islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as Kitadaitojima, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigakijima), and… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog
Brown Land Crab
Cardisoma carnifex Japanese Name: ミナミオカガニChinese Name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English Name: Brown Land CrabOrigin: Coastal regions of Southeast Asia bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans; in Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima in the Ryukyu Islands. The Brown Land Crab is one of the terrestrial crabs found in the Ryukyu Islands. In recent years, its population has… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Typopeltis crucifer Japanese Name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese Name: 台灣鞭蠍English Name: Taiwan WhipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonagunijima, Taiwan When threatened, the Whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from the tip of its tail to drive away predators. This species is relatively common on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima but rarely seen on Okinawajima. Males and… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Goodyera hachijoensis
Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumurana Japanese 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 Goodyera hachijoensis has also been recorded from Okinawajima, but the number of individuals is very low, making it an extremely rare plant. Due to frequent illegal collection, strong conservation efforts are… Continue reading Goodyera hachijoensis
Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Tricholontha papagena Japanese Name: ケブカコフキコガネChinese Name: 多毛粉吹金龜English Name: Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab BeetlesOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha in the scarab subfamily Melolonthinae. Males have large, comb-like (lamellate) antennae. The Japanese common name Kebuka (meaning “hairy”) refers to the dense short hairs on the elytra. There are two recognized subspecies: Larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Hallowell’s tree frog
Hyla hallowellii Japanese Name: ハロウエルアマガエルChinese Name: 哈氏樹蟾、哈氏雨蛙English Name: Hallowell’s Tree FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Islands The name Hallowell’s Tree Frog honors Edward Hallowell, a physician from Philadelphia and amateur naturalist who described many Japanese amphibians and reptiles in the 19th century. Males call and breed from March to June during rainy days, usually in still-water environments… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Vescelia pieli ryukyuensis Japanese 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 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 their forewings together. Although their calls… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket