Species information Scientific name: Diplothrix legataJapanese name: ケナガネズミChinese name: 琉球長毛鼠English name: Ryukyu long-furred ratOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, and Amami Oshima Ecology and description The Ryukyu long-furred rat is the only species in the genus Diplothrix, and it is one of the most representative animals of the central Ryukyu Islands. It is designated as… Continue reading Ryukyu Long-Furred Rat
Tag: Okinawajima
Ryukyu Flycatcher
Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Species information Scientific name: Rinaca japonica ryukyuensisJapanese name: クスサンChinese name: 雙黑目天蠶蛾（琉球亞種）English name: Okinawa giant silkwormOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima Ecology and description The Rinaca japonica species is divided into three subspecies based on their distribution: The adults of the Ryukyu subspecies have a darker color than the mainland subspecies. Although the Japanese name クスサン (Camphor… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Okinawa Rail
Species information Scientific name: Hypotaenidia okinawaeJapanese name: ヤンバルクイナChinese name: 沖繩秧雞、山原秧雞English name: Okinawa railOrigin: Northern Okinawajima (endemic) Ecology and description 1. Appearance The Okinawa rail has a total length of approximately 35 cm and weighs about 450 g. The plumage from the crown to the tail is deep olive-green, the face is black, and a white line… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Okinawa Skink
Plestiodon marginatus Japanese name: オキナワトカゲChinese name: 沖繩石龍子English name: Okinawa SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Yoronjima, Okinoerabujima The Okinawa Skink reaches a total length of about 15–19 cm and is distributed in the Okinawa Islands as well as on Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in the Amami Islands. It mainly inhabits coastal forests and grasslands, in contrast to Barbour’s Skink… Continue reading Okinawa Skink
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 Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa grandiovataJapanese name: オキナワオオサワガニChinese name: 巨圓澤蟹English name: Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is one of the largest in the genus Geothelphusa found in Japan. Its surface is smooth and glossy, with a wide range of colors including reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, and purplish-brown. The species name grandiovata… Continue reading Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Pyrocoelia matsumurai Japanese name: オキナワマドボタルChinese name: 沖繩窗螢English name: Okinawa Pyrocoelia FireflyOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and the Yaeyama Islands Pyrocoelia matsumurai, a species belonging to the genus Pyrocoelia, is divided into the following three subspecies: In the Yambaru region, if you turn off your flashlight near damp roadside ditches, you may be able… Continue reading Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly