Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis stimpsoniiJapanese name: アマミサソリモドキChinese name: 奄美鞭蠍English name: Amami whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kami-Koshikijima Ecology and description The whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail as a defense against predators. This species is endemic to Japan but has… Continue reading Amami Whipscorpion
Tag: Tokunoshima
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
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
Species information Scientific name: Loepa sakaeiJapanese 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, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species is a very beautiful large moth with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be seen from March to October, but it is rare and not often encountered. The larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Ryukyu Matrona damselfly
Species information Scientific name: Matrona japonicaJapanese 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, Amami Oshima Ecology and description Ryukyu Matrona damselfly is a common large damselfly species in the Yambaru area. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Matrona basilaris found in China and other regions, but has since been recognized as a… Continue reading Ryukyu Matrona damselfly
Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Species information Scientific name: Hebius pryeriJapanese name: ガラスヒバァChinese name: 普氏腹鍊蛇、沖繩腹鍊蛇English name: Pryer’s keelback snakeOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description Pryer’s keelback snake primarily feeds on frogs. It is often found near streams, irrigation channels, and rice paddies, and is commonly seen on roads during or after rain, where it scavenges road-killed frogs. Unfortunately,… Continue reading Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Ryukyu Green Snake
Species information Scientific name: Cyclophiops semicarinatusJapanese name: リュウキュウアオヘビChinese name: 琉球青蛇English name: Ryukyu green snakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Tokara Islands including Takarajima and Kodakarajima Ecology and description Ryukyu green snake is about 70 to 80 cm in length and is not as bright green as the Chinese green snake (Cyclophiops major) distributed in China and… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Snake
Habu
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops flavoviridisJapanese Name: ハブChinese Name: 波布、黄綠龜殼花English Name: HabuOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands Ecology and description The Habu is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most beautiful and fascinating snakes, yet it is also one of the most venomous and dangerous. It is found on certain islands of the… Continue reading Habu
Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメアマガエルChinese name: 沖繩小雨蛙、沖繩飾紋姬蛙English name: Okinawa narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, and Miyako Islands Ecology and description Originally, the Okinawa narrow-mouthed toad and the Taiwanese narrow-mouthed toad were both classified under the South Asian M. ornata. However, a phylogenetic study in 2005 reclassified the Taiwanese population as M.… Continue reading Okinawa Narrow-mouthed Toad