Geothelphusa aramotoi Japanese name: アラモトサワガニChinese name: 新本澤蟹English name: Aramoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima Geothelphusa aramotoi is a freshwater crab with a carapace width of about 3 cm and has the most limited distribution among the species found on Okinawajima. It is restricted to specific mountain stream basins. Unlike other freshwater crabs that may leave the… Continue reading Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Tag: Okinawajima
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Geoemyda japonica Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is closely related to the turtle species Geoemyda spengleri, which is distributed in China and Vietnam. It was once considered a subspecies of G. spengleri but was recognized as a distinct species in 1992.… Continue reading Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Okinawa Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus viridisJapanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa tree frogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description From November to May, the breeding calls of Okinawa tree frogs can frequently be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. The males have yellow bellies while the females have white bellies, and their significant difference… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana ishikawaeJapanese name: オキナワイシカワガエルChinese name: 沖繩石川蛙English name: Okinawa ishikawa frogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Originally, the name “Ishikawa frog” referred to populations found on both Amami Oshima and Okinawajima. After the Amami population was classified as a separate species (Odorrana splendida), the Japanese name for the Okinawan population… Continue reading Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Okinawa Robin
Larvivora namiyei Japanese name: ホントウアカヒゲChinese name: 沖繩歌鴝English name: Okinawa RobinOrigin: Northern Okinawajima The Okinawa Robin is an endemic species restricted to the Yambaru region in northern Okinawajima. Males have black feathers from the face to the chest, while females have gray feathers in the same area. They live in the forest understory and feed on… Continue reading Okinawa Robin
Holst’s frog
Species information Scientific name: Babina holsti Japanese name: ホルストガエルChinese name: 赫氏拇棘蛙、琉球拇棘蛙English name: Holst’s frogDistribution: Northern Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Holst’s frog is designated as a Natural Monument of Okinawa Prefecture. With adults reaching up to 12 cm in length, it is the largest native frog species on Okinawa Island. The breeding season occurs in summer,… Continue reading Holst’s frog
Namie’s Frog
Species information Scientific name: Limnonectes namiyeiJapanese name: ナミエガエルChinese name: 波江大頭蛙, 波江蛙English name: Namie’s frogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Namie’s frog inhabits the upper reaches of mountain streams and breeds during the summer. It is characterized by its large head and belongs to the same genus as the Fujian large-headed frog (L. fujianensis)… Continue reading Namie’s Frog
Brown spotted pitviper
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus Japanese name: タイワンハブChinese name: 龜殼花English name: Brown spotted pitviperOrigin: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China The population of Brown spotted pitvipers on Okinawajima is an introduced species from Taiwan, currently found mainly in areas such as the Motobu Peninsula and Onna Village. Between the 1970s and 1990s, large numbers of this species were… Continue reading Brown spotted pitviper
Yambaru Chevron Cricket
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
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