A new species of Omukade was discovered in Japan for the first time in 143 years by research teams from Hosei University Professor Satoshi Shimano, Tokyo Metropolitan University, National Science Museum, and National Taiwan University.

 The new species of Scolopendridae discovered this time is a semi-aquatic centipede that lives on land and in water, and has the habit of escaping into the water and hiding itself when it feels dangerous.It inhabits deep forests in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa (Yanbaru region), Kumejima, Iriomote / Ishigakijima, Tokashikijima, and Taiwan.It has been witnessed preying on Japan's largest river shrimp, "Konjintenaga shrimp" (around 20 cm in length), which inhabits the area.In the past, one species of semi-aquatic centipede was reported from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand in 2, and one species from the Philippines in 10, which is the third case in the world and the first discovery in Japan.

 The scientific name is "Scolopendra alcyona".It is named after the Greek goddess Archione, which has a beautiful turquoise body color and jumps into the river, similar to the centipede, which is also a beautiful body color bird. , The Japanese name was named "Ryujin Omukade (Ryujin Daihyakusho)" after the story of Okinawa related to centipede.

 Five species of Scolopendra, including this species, are distributed in Japan, but the new species of Scolopendra are described from Japan in 5 by the Germans Scolopendra japonica and Scolopendra mutilans. It's been 1878 years since the new species was listed.In addition, it is the first time that a species of the genus Scolopendridae has been described and named by the hands of the Japanese.
 
 This scolopendridae has been rumored locally for some time, and this time the research team confirmed it academically.Taira Taira (Ashimuri no Sato), Takeshi Sasaki (Ryukyu University Museum), Zensho Toyama (3rd year student at Hentona High School, Okinawa Prefecture), Fumiho Sato (Kumejima Firefly Museum, Director) and many others cooperated in the research. .. 

Paper information: [Zootaxa] A new amphibious species of the genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) from the Ryukyu archipelago and Taiwan

Hosei University

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Hosei University has cultivated the spirit of "freedom and progress" since its foundation.Currently, it is one of Japan's leading comprehensive universities with a wide range of academic fields consisting of 15 faculties and 38 departments.Foster independent human resources who can take on new challenges with free thinking.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, FY26 "Support for the Creation of Top Global University Project (Type B […]]

University of the Ryukyus

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It is the only national university in Okinawa prefecture and is the southernmost and westernmost university in Japan.We will ensure the quality of education and develop human resources who can play an active role and contribute to the world by utilizing advanced expertise and problem-seeking ability based on a wide range of education.Fostering wisdom and setting an example for society by fully drawing out diverse personalities and talents and opening up a new era […]

Tokyo Metropolitan University

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Tokyo Metropolitan University changed the university name from "Tokyo Metropolitan University" to "Tokyo Metropolitan University" in April 2020.It is the only comprehensive university established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and aims to contribute to the improvement and development of human society by achieving the results of education and research based on large cities.As part of that, a curriculum with a high degree of freedom and originality […]

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