Perophora japonica

No.36 Type of Colonial Sea Squirt

Perophora japonica is a species of marine invertebrate called a tunicate or “sea squirt.” Colonial in nature, this species consists of round, 4-6 mm long, yellowish-green zooids growing together along a branch-like structure called a stolon, which grows from a barrel-like body called a tunic. At the stolon’s end are yellow star-shaped zooids that can form their own colonies when dislodged. While native to Japan, Korea, and Russia, it has spread to the coasts of the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, West Africa, and the west coast of North America, possibly in the hulls of commercial and recreational ships.

Delisea japonica

No.21 Tamaitadaki

Delisea japonica is a species of red macroalgae called “Tamaitadaki” in Japan. The body of this species is flat, crimson, has alternating branches, and is up to 25 centimeters tall. After fertilization, a capsule-like fruit body called a cystocarp containing diploid spores can appear at the end of a branch. Found along the central and southern coasts of Honshu island in Japan, it resides on submarine rocks in the tidal zone. Currently, Delisea japonica is considered synonymous with the species Delisea pulchra, which is found in Australia, New Zealand, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the islands of the Subantarctic.

Glirulus japonicus

No.27 Japanese Dormouse

Glirulus japonicus is a type of arboreal, nocturnal rodent called a dormouse. Similar to both mice and squirrels, it has thick brown hair, a fluffy tail, and a black stripe on its back. It grows to lengths of 105-135 mm and have sharp claws on its feet that enable it to run upside-down on tree branches. Glirulus japonicus resides in deciduous and coniferous forests across Japan, except on the island of Hokkaido. Once considered to be Shinto guardian deities of the mountain, they are now listed as “nearly endangered” by the Ministry of Environment in Japan due to deforestation.

Hydroglyphus japonicus

No.22 Type of Diving Beetle

Hydroglyphus japonicus is a small species of beetle belonging to the family Dytiscidae, the predatory diving beetles. Its ovate body is about 2 mm long and dark brown with a few golden highlights along its back. Like other semi-aquatic beetles, adult Hydroglyphus japonicus breathe via an exterior air bubble that is connected to a cavity beneath its wing cases that must be periodically replenished. Hydroglyphus japonicus prefers shallow, watery environments with plenty of vegetation and very few insectivorous fish. In Japan, it can be found in rice fields and other wetlands where it preys on insect larvae.