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
Tag: Tokunoshima
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
Amami Rabbit
Pentalagus furnessi Japanese Name: アマミノクロウサギChinese Name: 奄美黑兔、琉球兔、奄美短耳兔English Name: Amami RabbitOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima The Amami Rabbit is the only species of the genus Pentalagus. It has short ears and strong claws adapted for digging. This species is endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima. It is nocturnal and feeds on a wide variety of plants. The… Continue reading Amami Rabbit
Amami Whipscorpion
Typopeltis stimpsonii Japanese Name: アマミサソリモドキChinese Name: 奄美鞭蠍English Name: Amami WhipscorpionOrigin: Izena Island, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kamikoshikijima This species is endemic to Japan. However, due to human introduction, it has established populations outside its natural range, such as in Ushibuka (Amakusa City) and Hachijojima, where it is… Continue reading Amami 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
Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly
Matrona japonica Japanese Name: リュウキュウハグロトンボChinese Name: 琉球羽黑蜻蛉、琉球單脈色蟌English Name: Ryukyu Matrona DamselflyOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima The Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly is a large damselfly species commonly seen in the Yambaru region. It was once considered a subspecies of Matrona basilaris, which is distributed in China and surrounding areas, but has since been recognized as a distinct species.… Continue reading Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly