Geothelphusa tenuimanus Japanese name: ヒメユリサワガニChinese name: 細掌澤蟹English name: Himeyuri Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima The Himeyuri Freshwater Crab is a relatively small species with a carapace width of about 3 cm. It is characterized by extremely slender walking legs and a body color that is usually tinged with purplish-red. It inhabits limestone areas on Okinawajima,… Continue reading Himeyuri Freshwater Crab
Tag: Okinawajima
Ryukyu Brown Frog
Species information Scientific name: Rana ulmaJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Frog
White-lipped Tree Frog
Species Information Scientific name: Polypedates leucomystaxJapanese 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 Ecology and Description This species has been confirmed on most islands of the Okinawa Islands, Kitadaito Island, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigaki), and Yoronjima in Kagoshima Prefecture. It… 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
Species information Scientific name: Hyla hallowelliiJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Species information Scientific name: Vescelia pieli ryukyuensisJapanese 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 Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Loepa sakaei Japanese Name: ハグルマヤママユChinese Name: 琉球黃豹天蠶蛾English Name: Ryukyu Golden Emperor MothOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima This is a large and very beautiful moth species with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be observed from March to October, though sightings are rare due to its low population density. The larval host plant is Actinidia… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth