Peripatopsis alba
Peripatopsis alba, the white cave velvet worm,[1] is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae.[2][3] This species has 18 pairs of clawed legs, with the last pair reduced, and no eyes.[4][5] Specimens range from 32 mm to 48 mm in length.[4] Like other velvet worms in this genus, this species exhibits matrotrophic viviparity, that is, mothers in this genus retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta.[6]
| Peripatopsis alba | |
|---|---|
_Figure_1_(cropped).jpg.webp) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Onychophora |
| Family: | Peripatopsidae |
| Genus: | Peripatopsis |
| Species: | P. alba |
| Binomial name | |
| Peripatopsis alba Lawrence, 1931 | |
Distribution and habitat
Peripatopsis alba is a troglobiont known only from two cave systems on Table Mountain, South Africa; Wynberg Cave and Bats Cave.
One other troglobitic velvet worm species is known; Speleoperipatus spelaeus, from Pedro Cave and Swansea Cave, Jamaica.[7]
Conservation
This species is very rare[4] and listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted distribution and the potential occurrence of human collection and disturbance.[1]
References
- Hamer, M. 2003. Peripatopsis alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 August 2007.
- Oliveira, I.; Hering, L. & Mayer, G. "Updated Onychophora checklist". Onychophora Website. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- Oliveira, I. S.; Read, V. M. S. J.; Mayer, G. (2012). "A world checklist of Onychophora (velvet worms), with notes on nomenclature and status of names". ZooKeys (211): 1–70. doi:10.3897/zookeys.211.3463. PMC 3426840. PMID 22930648.
- Hamer, M.L.; Samways, M.J.; Ruhberg, H. (1997). "A review of the Onychophora of South Africa, with discussion of their conservation". Annals of the Natal Museum. 38 (1): 283–312.
- Lawrence, R.F. (1931). "A new peripatopsid from the Table Mountain Caves". Annals of the South African Museum. 30: 101–107 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- Mayer, Georg; Franke, Franziska Anni; Treffkorn, Sandra; Gross, Vladimir; de Sena Oliveira, Ivo (2015), Wanninger, Andreas (ed.), "Onychophora", Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Invertebrates 3, Vienna: Springer Vienna, pp. 53–98, doi:10.1007/978-3-7091-1865-8_4, ISBN 978-3-7091-1864-1, retrieved 2023-02-15
- R. S. Stewart (February 13, 2010). "Swansea Cave". Jamaican Caving Notes. Jamaican Caves Organisation. Retrieved 21 May 2014.