Species information Scientific name: Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and in Japan, it can be found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Ecology and description Okinawa needlewood tree is mainly found in the Ogasawara Islands and the Ryukyu Islands in… Continue reading Okinawa Needlewood Tree
Tag: Okinawajima
Satsuma eucosmia eucosmia
Species information Scientific name: Satsuma eucosmia eucosmiaJapanese name: オキナワヤマタカマイマイChinese name: 沖繩高腰蝸牛English name: Satsuma eucosmia eucosmiaOrigin: Okinawajima, Hamahigajima Ecology and description Satsuma eucosmia is an arboreal land snail with the following two subspecies: S. e. eucosmia occurs in two isolated areas of Okinawajima, one in the north and one in the south, and is absent from… Continue reading Satsuma eucosmia eucosmia
Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Candidiopotamon okinawenseJapanese name: オキナワミナミザワガニChinese name: 沖繩明溪蟹English name: Okinawa Candidiopotamon freshwater crabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Ecology and description The genus Candidiopotamon is found only in Taiwan and parts of the Central Ryukyus. Five species are currently known, three in Okinawa Prefecture and two in Taiwan: Candidiopotamon okinawense, the species found on Okinawajima,… Continue reading Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Halcyon Giant Centipede
Species information Scientific name: Scolopendra alcyonaJapanese name: リュウジンオオムカデChinese name: 琉神蜈蚣、青龍蜈蚣（TW）English name: Halcyon giant centipedeOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima, Taiwan Ecology and description This species was described as new in April 2021 ( Reference ), and it is the third known amphibious centipede species in the world. It inhabits stream environments and is known… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede
Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana narinaJapanese name: ハナサキガエルChinese name: 琉球臭蛙、沖繩臭蛙、沖繩鼻先蛙、沖繩尖吻蛙、琉球尖鼻蛙English name: Okinawa tip-nosed frogOrigin: Northern Okinawajima (endemic) Ecology and description This species is commonly found in the forested areas of Okinawa and resembles the Swinhoe’s frog (Odorrana swinhoana) found in Taiwan. However, it is slightly larger, has a higher-pitched call, and shows a wide range… Continue reading Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog
Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa aramotoiJapanese name: アラモトサワガニChinese name: 新本澤蟹English name: Aramoto freshwater crabOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima Ecology and description The Aramoto freshwater crab has a carapace width of about 3cm and a narrow distribution, found only in a few streams. Other freshwater crabs in Okinawa sometimes leave the water temporarily, but the Aramoto freshwater crab… Continue reading Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Geoemyda japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The… Continue reading Okinawa 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 frog can often be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies, and the size difference between the… 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
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora namiyeiJapanese name: ホントウアカヒゲChinese name: 沖繩歌鴝English name: Okinawa robinOrigin: Northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Okinawa robin is an endemic species found in the Yambaru area of northern Okinawajima. Male Okinawa robin have black feathers from the breast to the face, while females have gray feathers in the same area. Okinawa robin… Continue reading Okinawa Robin