Peripatopsis alba
Peripatopsis alba, the white cave velvet worm, is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae.[1] This species has 18 pairs of legs, with the last pair reduced, and no eyes.[2][3]
| Peripatopsis alba | |
|---|---|
_Figure_1_(cropped).jpg.webp) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Onychophora |
| Class: | Udeonychophora |
| Order: | Euonychophora |
| 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.[4]
Conservation
It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted distribution and the potential occurrence of human collection and disturbance.[5][6]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peripatopsis alba. |
- Oliveira, I.; Hering, L. & Mayer, G. "Updated Onychophora checklist". Onychophora Website. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- 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.
- R. S. Stewart (February 13, 2010). "Swansea Cave". Jamaican Caving Notes. Jamaican Caves Organisation. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- Hamer, M. 2003. Peripatopsis alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 August 2007.
- 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.
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