Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
Tag: Tokunoshima
Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Species information Scientific name: Rinaca japonica ryukyuensisJapanese name: クスサンChinese name: 雙黑目天蠶蛾（琉球亞種）English name: Okinawa giant silkwormOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima Ecology and description The Rinaca japonica species is divided into three subspecies based on their distribution: The adults of the Ryukyu subspecies have a darker color than the mainland subspecies. Although the Japanese name クスサン (Camphor… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Oshima Skink
Plestiodon oshimensis Japanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima SkinkOrigin: Amami Islands (except Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) The Oshima Skink is a medium-sized lizard reaching about 20 cm in total length and 6–11 cm in snout-to-vent length. It closely resembles the Ryukyu Skink (Plestiodon marginatus), which occurs in the Okinawa Islands… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Species information Scientific name: Fejervarya kawamuraiJapanese name: ヌマガエルChinese name: 川村氏澤蛙、川村陸蛙English name: Kawamura’s rice field frogOrigin: Western Honshu (central region and westward), Shikoku, Kyushu, and some nearby islands in Japan; several islands of the Amami Islands (except Yoronjima) and Okinawa Islands (some islands); parts of China Ecology and description Kawamura’s rice field frog is a Fejervarya… Continue reading Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Barbour’s Skink
Plestiodon barbouri Japanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour’s SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Barbour’s Skink is a medium-sized lizard found in the Okinawa and Amami Islands. Its specific name honors American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles are dark brown with five golden longitudinal stripes along the sides of the body, and their tails are… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Amami Woodcock
Scolopax mira Japanese name: アマミヤマシギChinese name: 奄美山鷸English name: Amami WoodcockOrigin: Breeds mainly on Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, and Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands; winter visitor to Okinawajima The Amami Woodcock is a nocturnal member of the woodcock group and a resident bird in the Amami Islands, where it can be seen year-round on Amami Oshima and… Continue reading Amami Woodcock
Okinawa needlewood tree
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. In Japan, it is found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Schima wallichii is distributed mainly in the Ogasawara and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The populations in these two regions differ slightly in appearance,… Continue reading Okinawa needlewood tree
Ryukyu Robin
Larvivora komadori Japanese name: アカヒゲChinese name: 琉球歌鴝English name: Ryukyu RobinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Danjo Islands, Tokara Islands (resident or summer visitor) The Ryukyu Robin is distributed across the Ryukyu Islands north of Tokunoshima. In winter, it sometimes migrates southward to overwinter and has been recorded in Okinawajima, Yonagunijima, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong. The population… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin
Amami Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus amamiensisJapanese name: アマミアオガエルChinese name: 奄美樹蛙English name: Amami tree frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yoroshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description The Amami tree frog was originally classified as a subspecies of the Okinawa tree frog (Zhangixalus viridis). However, following genetic research and morphological analysis, it was elevated to a distinct species. In… Continue reading Amami Tree Frog
White-lipped Tree Frog
Polypedates leucomystax Japanese 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 Reference: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Invasive Species Databasehttps://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/40030.html This species has been confirmed on many islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as Kitadaitojima, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigakijima), and… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog