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
Tag: Tokunoshima
Oshima Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon oshimensisJapanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima skinkOrigin: Amami Islands (excluding Yoron Island and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) Ecology and description This species has a total length of about 20 cm, with a snout-vent length of 6-11 cm. It resembles Okinawa Skink (Plestiodon marginatus) which is distributed in… 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
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon barbouriJapanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour's SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description This is a medium-sized skink distributed in the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands. The specific epithet commemorates the American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles have a dark brown body with 5 golden lines and a blue… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Amami Woodcock
Species information Scientific name: Scolopax miraJapanese name: アマミヤマシギChinese name: 奄美山鷸English name: Amami woodcockOrigin: The main breeding grounds are Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, and Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, while it is a winter visitor to Okinawajima. Ecology and description Woodcock species are nocturnal birds. The Amami woodcock is a resident bird of the Amami Islands and… Continue reading Amami Woodcock
Okinawa Needlewood Tree
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
Ryukyu Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora komadoriJapanese 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 bird) Ecology and description Ryukyu robin are distributed on islands north of Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Islands, but in winter, they may migrate south, with records of sightings on Okinawajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan,… 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
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
Amami Rabbit
Species information Scientific name: Pentalagus furnessiJapanese 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 Ecology and description Amami rabbit is the only species in the genus Pentalagus. It has short ears and claws suitable for digging. It is exclusively found on Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima. Primarily nocturnal, it feeds on various plants. Currently,… Continue reading Amami Rabbit