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
Tag: Tokunoshima
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
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
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
Species information Scientific name: Tricholontha papagenaJapanese 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, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha within the Melolonthidae family. Male individuals have large lamellate antennae, and the Japanese name ケブカ (meaning “hairy”) refers to the many short hairs on their elytra.… 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