Mauremys japonica

No.06 Japanese Pond Turtle

Mauremys japonica is a species of freshwater turtle native to Japan. Females of this species can grow shells up to 21 cm long, while males grow smaller shells up to 14 cm long. Found across Japan except for the northern island of Hokkaido, Japanese pond turtles live in rivers, marshes, ponds, and irrigated rice fields. Its diet can include small amphibians, insects, algae, and earthworms. Although not currently considered threatened, habitat destruction via land development, exploitation from the pet trade, and the introduction of invasive turtle species have caused concern for native populations of Mauremys japonica.

Corbicula japonica

No.24 Shijimi (Japanese Basket Clam)

Corbicula japonica is a species of mollusc that is popularly used in Japanese soup recipes. They belong to the class Bivalvia, whose members have soft, invertebrate bodies encased by two hinged calcium carbonate “valves,” or shells. Japanese Basket Clams have rounded triangular shells that grow up to 30 mm long and are black, brown, and yellow in color. They are widespread in brackish water near the coasts of Japan, Korea, eastern Russia, and China. Corbicula japonica can be found burrowed in the subtidal sands of lagoons, lakes, and estuaries that are connected to the sea.

Halichondria japonica

No.33 Type of Sponge

Halichondria japonica is a species of marine sponge that is among the most common found in Japan. Like others in the class Demospongiae, it has an internal skeleton made of small, needle-like mineral structures called spicules that support its softer reddish-orange tissue. It can be found encrusted across rock surfaces in the intertidal zone, in tide pools, and in the cracks of rocks. Halichondria japonica is common along the coast of the central Japanese island of Honshu. In immune system evolution studies, this species has been shown to possess self and non-self recognition capabilities.

Oxycomanthus japonicus

No.15 Japanese Feather Star

Oxycomanthus japonicus is a species of crinoid called a feather star. It belongs to the phylum Echinodermata, which contains sea urchins, starfish, and sea cucumbers. They have five-fold symmetry and have long, flexible arms that are attached to a cup-like body structure. While most have at least ten arms, others might have 80-200 because of their ability to regenerate and duplicate their arms after they have been severed. Like other feather stars, mature Oxycomanthus japonicus individuals can swim because they have no stalk that anchors them. This species prefers shallow water and can be found on rocky seashores around Japan.