Species information Scientific name: Nephila pilipesJapanese name: オオジョロウグモChinese name: 人面蜘蛛、斑絡新婦English name: Giant golden orb weaverOrigin: Japan (Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima), Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia Ecology and description The giant golden orb weaver is the largest spider in Japan. Females are 3.5–5 cm long, while males are only… Continue reading Giant golden orb weaver
Tag: Yonaguni
Shining Leptopoma
Species information Scientific name: Leptopoma nitidumJapanese name: アオミオカタニシChinese name: 青山蝸牛English name: Shining LeptopomaOrigin: Ryukyu Islands south of the Amami Islands, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea Ecology and description Shining Leptopoma is a common snail in the Ryukyu Islands, easily found in secondary forest environments. Although it looks like a snail, it is taxonomically a terrestrial gastropod.… Continue reading Shining Leptopoma
Common House Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatusJapanese name: ホオグロヤモリChinese name: 疣尾蜥虎English name: Common house geckoOrigin: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Japan, it is distributed in the Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima but can potentially move to other areas along with household furniture. Ecology and description Common house gecko is the most common gecko in… Continue reading Common House Gecko
Ryukyu Flycatcher
Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
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
Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Species information Scientific name: Papilio bianor juniaJapanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 八重山翠鳳蝶English name: Yaeyama peacock swallowtailOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The Yaeyama peacock swallowtail is a large swallowtail common in the Yaeyama Islands, with a forewing length of 45–80mm. The larvae feed on plants of the citrus family (Rutaceae), and the adults often rest on… Continue reading Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Sakishima Wolf Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycodon walliJapanese name: サキシママダラChinese name: 先島紅斑蛇、沃氏鏈蛇English name: Sakishima wolf snakeOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This species was originally considered a subspecies of the Red-banded snake (Lycodon rufozonatus), but it has now been elevated to a distinct species. Its pattern is more yellowish compared to the Red-banded snake (Lycodon… Continue reading Sakishima Wolf Snake
Brown Land Crab
Species information Scientific name: Cardisoma carnifexJapanese name: ミナミオカガニChinese name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English name: Brown land crabOrigin: Coastal areas of Southeast Asia adjacent to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima. Ecology and description Brown land crab, one of the land crabs visible in the Ryukyu Islands, has seen a rapid decline… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Taiwan Whipscorpion
Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis cruciferJapanese name: タイワンサソリモドキChinese name: 台灣鞭蠍English name: Taiwan whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Okinawajima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Kohamajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan Ecology and description The whipscorpion defends itself by spraying an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail to repel enemies. This species is more abundant on Ishigaki and Iriomote but is not commonly… Continue reading Taiwan Whipscorpion
Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon kishinouyeiJapanese name: キシノウエトカゲChinese name: 岸上石龍子English name: Kishinoue's giant skinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description Kishinoue’s giant skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching a total length of 40 cm, and inhabits open secondary forest environments. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, it may fall prey to invasive species like… Continue reading Kishinoue’s Giant Skink