Species information Scientific name: Echinotriton raffaelliiJapanese name: アマミイボイモリChinese name: 奄美棘螈English name: Amami crocodile newtOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima Ecology and description This species is one of the most primitive in the family Salamandridae, hence it is often referred to as a living fossil. It is named for its rib protrusions. The species is rare and… Continue reading Amami Crocodile Newt
Tag: Tokunoshima
Ruddy Kingfisher
Species information Scientific name: Halcyon coromanda bangsiJapanese name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese name: 琉球赤翡翠English name: Ruddy kigfisherOrigin: Summer visitor to the Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description Ruddy kigfisher in Ryukyu Islands refers to the subspecies Halcyon coromanda bangsi of the Ruddy kingfisher. It winters in the Philippines and breeds in the Ryukyu Islands during summer. Compared to the… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher
Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana amamiensisJapanese name: アマミハナサキガエルChinese name: 奄美臭蛙、奄美鼻先蛙、奄美尖鼻蛙English name: Amami tip-nosed frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description This species is similar in appearance to the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (Odorrana ranina) found in northern Okinawajima, but it is larger, with adults reaching up to 10 cm. Its coloring can vary between brown and… Continue reading Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Species information Scientific name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataJapanese name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese name: 琉球油蟬English name: Ryukyu large brown cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description Ryukyu large brown cicada is an endemic species found on the Central Ryukyu islands, including the Amami Islands and the Okinawa Islands. The patterns of populations in the Okinawa… Continue reading Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Zosterops japonicus loochooensisJapanese name: リュウキュウメジロChinese name: 日菲繡眼（琉球亞種）、琉球綠繡眼English name: Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronjima, Okinawajima, Agunijima, Yagajijima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni, Hateruma Ecology and description This is one of the subspecies of the Warbling white-eye (Zosterops japonicus). In the nominate subspecies… Continue reading Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Ryukyu Northern Boobook
Species information Scientific name: Ninox japonica totogoJapanese name: リュウキュウアオバズクChinese name: 琉球褐鷹鴞、日本褐鷹鴞琉球亞種English name: Ryukyu northern boobookOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The scutellate boobook that was previously recognized in Japan was identified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. In 2002, this species was reclassified as a distinct species from Ninox scutulata. It is further divided… Continue reading Ryukyu Northern Boobook
Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Species information Scientific name: Treron permagnusJapanese name: リュウキュウアオバトChinese name: 琉球綠鳩English name: Ryukyu green pigeonOrigin: Yakushima, Tanegashima, Tokara Islands, Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu green pigeon was formerly considered one of the subspecies of the Taiwan green pigeon (Treron formosae), but recent molecular studies support its status as… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Ryukyu Scops Owl
Species information Scientific name: Otus elegans elegansJapanese name: リュウキュウコノハズクChinese name: 琉球角鴞、優雅角鴞琉球亞種English name: Ryukyu scops owlOrigin: Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The Elegant scops owl (Otus elegans) consists of 4 subspecies: Okinawa scops owl is the most common owl in Okinawa, with a body length of about 20cm. The main difference from the Ryukyu subspecies of… Continue reading Ryukyu Scops Owl
Banded Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus splendensJapanese name: オビトカゲモドキChinese name: 亮瞼虎English name: Banded ground geckoOrigin: Tokunoshima Ecology and description This species is the smallest among the Ryukyu Goniurosaurus species. Its patterns are primarily banded, with little variation among individuals. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Scutellaria rubropunctata
Species information Scientific name: Scutellaria rubropunctataJapanese name: アカボシタツナミソウChinese name: 斑點黃芩English name: Scutellaria rubropunctataOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description Scutellaria rubropunctata is a perennial herb in the mint family that grows at forest edges and in grasslands in the mountains. It is 10–30cm tall, with a stem that creeps along the ground at the… Continue reading Scutellaria rubropunctata