Species information Scientific name: Columba janthinaJapanese name: カラスバトChinese name: 黑林鴿English name: Black wood pigeonOrigin: China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan Ecology and description This species has 3 subspecies: Black wood pigeon primarily dwells in the canopy layer, making it difficult to spot and sometimes only detectable by its call. Reference: Wikipedia Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Black Wood Pigeon
Tag: Yonaguni
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Diploderma polygonatumJapanese name: キノボリトカゲChinese name: 琉球龍蜥English name: Ryukyu tree lizardOrigin: The nominate subspecies is distributed in the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The Sakishima subspecies is found in the Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands, while the Yonaguni subspecies is found on Yonaguni Island. Ecology and description This genus was previously named… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Indian peafowl
Species information Scientific name: Pavo cristatusJapanese name: インドクジャクChinese name: 孔雀、印度孔雀English name: Indian peafowlOrigin: South Asia Ecology and description The peafowl in Okinawa Prefecture are an invasive species that became feral after escaping from captivity, where they were kept for ornamental purposes. Established populations currently exist on Miyakojima, Irabujima, Ishigaki, Kohamajima, Aragusuku, Yonaguni and Kuroshima, but… Continue reading Indian peafowl
Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Mauremys mutica kamiJapanese name: ヤエヤマイシガメChinese name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜English name: Yaeyama yellow pond turtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Yaeyama yellow pond turtle is a subspecies of the yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica), found on Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni. As of 2018, the yellow pond turtle was classified as CR (Critically Endangered)… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
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
Okinawa 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: Okinawa 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 Okinawa Scops Owl
Itajii chinkapin
Species information Scientific name: Castanopsis sieboldii var. lutchuensisJapanese name: イタジイChinese name: 長果椎、長果錐English name: Itajii chinkapinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Found south of Amami Oshima, Itajii chinkapin is one of the varieties of Castanopsis sieboldii (var. lutchuensis) and one of the most dominant… Continue reading Itajii chinkapin