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
Tag: Okinawajima
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
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops mucrosquamatusJapanese name: タイワンハブChinese name: 龜殼花English name: Brown spotted pitviperOrigin: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan, and mainland China Ecology and description The Brown spotted pitviper on Okinawajima was introduced from Taiwan and is currently mainly distributed in the Motobu Peninsula area, northern Yomitan Village, and Onna Village. The commercial benefits brought by… Continue reading Brown Spotted Pitviper
Yambaru Chevron Cricket
Species information Scientific name: Melanabropsis yanbarensisJapanese name: ヤンバルクロギリスChinese name: 山原烏黯螽English name: Yambaru chevron cricketOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima Ecology and description The Yambaru chevron cricket lives in the old-growth forests of Okinawajima and Kumejima. It is about 32–39 mm long, nocturnal, and hides in tree hollows during the day. It occurs near large Itajii chinkapin trees (Castanopsis… Continue reading Yambaru Chevron Cricket
Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Species information Scientific name: Symplocos liukiuensis liukiuensisJapanese name: アオバナハイノキChinese name: 青花灰木English name: Ryukyu sweetleafOrigin: Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima Ecology and description This subspecies is endemic to Okinoerabujima and Okinawajima. Another subspecies, S. liukiuensis iriomotensis, is found only on Iriomote. In February, small purple flowers bloom that are very cute, attracting poachers and making the wild population scarce.… Continue reading Ryukyu Sweetleaf
Geothelphusa tenuimanus
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa tenuimanusJapanese name: ヒメユリサワガニChinese name: 細掌澤蟹English name: Geothelphusa tenuimanusOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Geothelphusa tenuimanus is a rather small freshwater crab with a carapace about 3cm wide. Its walking legs are very long and slender, and its color varies by individual from purple to brown. It lives in the limestone areas… Continue reading Geothelphusa tenuimanus
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 from northeastern India to the Philippines, throughout Southeast Asia Ecology and description This species has been confirmed on most islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as on Kita-Daito, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigaki), and Yoronjima in… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog
Brown Land Crab
Species information Scientific name: Cardisoma carnifexJapanese name: ミナミオカガニChinese name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English name: Brown land crabOrigin: Coastal areas of Southeast Asia adjacent to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima. Ecology and description Brown land crab, one of the land crabs visible in the Ryukyu Islands, has seen a rapid decline… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis cruciferJapanese name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese name: 台灣鞭蠍English name: Taiwan whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan Ecology and description The whipscorpion defends itself by spraying an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail to repel enemies. This species is more abundant on Ishigaki and Iriomote but is not commonly… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion