Geothelphusa grandiovata Japanese name: オキナワオオサワガニChinese name: 巨圓澤蟹English name: Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima Geothelphusa grandiovata is the largest species of Geothelphusa freshwater crabs found in Japan. Its carapace is smooth and glossy, and coloration varies widely from reddish brown to yellowish brown and purplish brown. The species name grandiovata is a combination of “grandis”… Continue reading Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Tag: Okinawajima endemic
Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Candidiopotamon okinawense Japanese 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 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, is known for its aggressive behavior.… Continue reading Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Okinawa tip-nosed frog
Odorrana narina Japanese 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) 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 of coloration from green to brown.… Continue reading Okinawa tip-nosed frog
Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Odorrana ishikawae Japanese 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 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 was changed to include the locality,… 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
Namie’s Frog
Limnonectes namiyei Japanese 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 Namie’s Frog inhabits the upper reaches of mountain streams and breeds in summer. Among species in the same genus, its geographically closest relative is Limnonectes fujianensis, which occurs in Taiwan. In Taiwan, members of this genus are commonly referred to… Continue reading Namie’s Frog
Himeyuri Freshwater Crab
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
Okinawa Rail
Hypotaenidia okinawae Japanese Name: ヤンバルクイナChinese Names: 沖繩秧雞, 山原秧雞, 山原水雞English Name: Okinawa RailOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa Rail is approximately 35cm long and weighs around 450g. Its head to tail is dark olive green, with a black face and a white line running from behind the eyes to the neck. Its legs and beak are… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Okinawa Woodpecker
Sapheopipo noguchii Japanese Name：ノグチゲラChinese Names：野口啄木鳥、沖繩啄木鳥English Name：Okinawa WoodpeckerOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa woodpecker is a species of woodpecker found exclusively in the forests of northern Okinawa, particularly in forests dominated by trees from the Fagaceae family. In dense forests, it feeds on insects such as beetle larvae found in deadwood, and occasionally consumes spiders, small… Continue reading Okinawa Woodpecker