Species information Scientific name: Tokudaia muenninkiJapanese name: オキナワトゲネズミChinese name: 沖繩裔鼠English name: Okinawa spiny ratOrigin: Northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Okinawa spiny rat’s close relatives include the Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis), found on Amami Oshima, and the Tokunoshima spiny rat (Tokudaia tokunoshimensis), found on Tokunoshima. Among the three, the Tokunoshima spiny rat is the largest… Continue reading Okinawa Spiny Rat
Tag: Okinawajima
Forest Quaker
Species information Scientific name: Pithecops corvusJapanese name: リュウキュウウラボシシジミChinese name: 黑丸灰蝶English name: Forest Quaker, Pithecops corvusOrigin: Southeast Asia, southern China, Taiwan. In Japan, it is only found on Okinawajima and Iriomote. Ecology and description Forest Quaker is a small lycaenid butterfly, characterized by a black circular spot on its hindwings. The larvae feed on plants of… Continue reading Forest Quaker
Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
Species information Scientific name: Amegilla calceiferaJapanese name: アオスジコシブトハナバチChinese name: 甜無墊蜂English name: Ryukyu blue banded beeOrigin: Amami Oshima to Yonaguni Ecology and description Ryukyu blue banded bee has striking blue stripes on its abdomen and does not build beehives. Male bees rest at night by clamping onto branches with their mandibles. Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
Ryukyu Damselfly
Species information Scientific name: Coeliccia ryukyuensis ryukyuensisJapanese name: リュウキュウルリモントンボChinese name: 琉球琵蟌、琉球琵蟌沖繩亞種English name: Ryukyu damselfly, Coeliccia ryukyuensis ryukyuensisOrigin: Okinawajima (endemic subspecies) Ecology and description This species is endemic to Okinawajima and the Amami Islands. Another subspecies is found in Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima: Amami damselfly (アマミルリモントンボ, Coeliccia ryukyuensis amamii). The 9th and 10th abdominal segments of… Continue reading Ryukyu Damselfly
Okinawa Tiger Beetle
Species information Scientific name: Sophiodela okinawanaJapanese name: オキナワハンミョウChinese name: 沖繩虎甲蟲English name: Okinawa tiger beetleOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is an endemic tiger beetle of Okinawa, with populations on Ishigaki Island being artificially introduced. Tiger beetles are carnivorous insects that prey on ants, earthworms, and other small creatures. Field photographs taken during our tours,… Continue reading Okinawa Tiger Beetle
Ryukyu Fishing Spider
Species information Scientific name: Dolomedes orionJapanese name: オオハシリグモChinese name: 大狡蛛English name: Ryukyu fishing spiderOrigin: Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Kumejima Ecology and description Ryukyu fishing spider is the largest hunting-type spider in Japan, and it hunts by the waterside without building a web. Ryukyu fishing spider lightly touches the water surface with its… Continue reading Ryukyu Fishing Spider
Grey-faced Buzzard
Species information Scientific name: Butastur indicusJapanese name: サシバChinese name: 灰面鵟鷹、灰面鷲English name: Grey-faced BuzzardOrigin: Breeds in Russia, China, Korea, and Honshu, Japan. Migrates to Southeast Asia for winter. Ecology and description Grey-faced Buzzard migrates through the Ryukyu Islands from breeding grounds in Honshu, Japan, and other regions, heading to Southeast Asia by early October. Flocks of… Continue reading Grey-faced Buzzard
Small Indian Mongoose
Species information Scientific name: Herpestes auropunctatusJapanese name: マングース、フイリマングースChinese name: 紅頰獴English name: Small Indian mongooseOrigin: Northern South Asia Ecology and description In 1910, Okinawa introduced the non-native Small Indian mongoose to control Habu snakes and rats. The Small Indian mongoose spread rapidly and expanded its territory, posing a significant threat to Okinawa rail as it reached… Continue reading Small Indian Mongoose
Ryukyu Long-Furred Rat
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
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