| Oroperipatus tiputini | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Onychophora |
| Family: | Peripatidae |
| Genus: | Oroperipatus |
| Species: | O. tiputini |
| Binomial name | |
| Oroperipatus tiputini Montalvo-Salazar, Bejarano, Valarezo & Cisneros-Heredia, 2024 | |
Oroperipatus tiputini is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family.
The research on the species spanned several decades. Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, one of the authors and director of the Museum of Zoology at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador, first discovered the species in 2001. The formal description was completed as part of Jorge Montalvo's graduation thesis. [1]
The specific epithet tiputini is derived from the type locality, Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS). This name is used in apposition to honor the significant efforts of TBS's management, research, and field teams in safeguarding Amazonian biodiversity. [2]
The description of Oroperipatus tiputini increased the total number of velvet worm species documented from mainland Ecuador to seven. It was the first species described from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador and the third from western Amazonia. Most velvet worm species from Ecuador are known exclusively from their type localities, and in some cases, their taxonomy remains unclear and requires further revision. [2]
Morphologically, Oroperipatus tiputini shows closer affinities to Oroperipatus lankesteri than to Oroperipatus weyrauchi or Oroperipatus bluntschlii , despite the latter two being the only congeners found in the Amazon basin. This morphological resemblance to Oroperipatus lankesteri could suggest a potential evolutionary relationship; however, without additional phylogenetic data, it is premature to propose any definitive hypotheses. Oroperipatus lankesteri is known only from its type locality in Paramba, located in the northern Pacific lowlands of Ecuador. [2]
Oroperipatus tiputini can be distinguished by its unique combination of features. Its head is marked by 40 to 52 antennal rings, with the tip of the antenna exhibiting 14 rings of alternating sensory structures. A notable chitinous extension is present beneath the eye, and the frontal organ is approximately the size of four to five anterior dermal papillae. [2]
The dorsal integument of Oroperipatus tiputini features 12 plicae per segment, alternating between large and narrow. Primary papillae are ovoid, with the largest found on the major plicae and smaller papillae distributed across the minor plicae. These primary papillae are often accompanied by one to three accessory papillae, adding to the species' distinctive appearance. On the ventral side, the preventral organs are not prominent. The legs of the species display 17 to 18 transverse rings. In legs IV and V, there are four spinous pads, with the fifth being notably reduced. Males are particularly distinguished by their crural tubercles, which are arranged in a specific pattern across their pregenital legs. [2]
This species exhibits sexual dimorphism in both size and leg number: Females of this species range from 46 mm to 65 mm in length, whereas males range from 23 mm to 40 mm in length. Females have 37 to 40 pairs of legs, whereas males have 34 to 37 leg pairs. [2]
In terms of coloration, Oroperipatus tiputini exhibits considerable variation among individuals. Adults may appear in hues ranging from plain dark orange to brown with varied patterns. A conspicuous white band with a heart-shaped border runs along the midline of all specimens, providing a distinctive visual marker. [2] The species exhibits notable ontogenic color changes. The adult female holotype displays a uniform dark orange dorsal coloration, in contrast to the yellowish background and rhomboid pattern observed in the juvenile. Juveniles are characterized by their brighter colors, with a lighter yellow hue and distinct rhomboid patterns. As they mature, their coloration darkens, and the rhomboid pattern diminishes or disappears. In males, the pattern fades, while in females, it is often completely lost. [2]
Oroperipatus tiputini is currently known exclusively from its type locality at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the northern Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. Most specimens have been discovered in old-growth, closed-canopy Terra Firme forests, where they inhabit various microhabitats such as the leaves and stems of small forbs less than 70 cm above the ground, leaf litter, and buttress roots. One specimen was notably found inside a bromeliad. [2]
The species is predominantly nocturnal, with most individuals observed between 19:00 and 23:00. However, an exception was noted with a male individual active on a tree trunk 1.5 meters above the ground in old-growth Várzea forest at 16:00. Typically, individuals are found either singly or in pairs. In a captive setting, the female holotype gave birth to a single juvenile, which remained in close contact with the mother for three days before being euthanized. During this period, the juvenile was often found on the mother's back or in close proximity. [2]
Typhloperipatus is a genus of velvet worm in the family Peripatidae, containing the sole species Typhloperipatus williamsoni. This genus is notable for containing the only species in the phylum Onychophora found in South Asia. This species is also striking in that this velvet worm shows no trace of eyes.
Oroperipatus is a genus of Neotropical velvet worms in the family Peripatidae. Species in this genus are found in South America west of the Andes and in Mexico. Velvet worms in this genus can have as few as 22 pairs of legs or as many as 40 leg pairs. This genus is viviparous, with mothers supplying nourishment to their embryos through a placenta.
Oroperipatus balzani is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. Males of this species range from 27 mm to 31 mm in length and have 26 or 27 pairs of legs. The type locality is in Bolivia and Brazil.
Oroperipatus belli is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The female of this species has 28 pairs of legs; the male has 25 pairs. The type locality is in Ecuador.
Oroperipatus bimbergi is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The female of this species has 27 or 28 pairs of legs, usually 27; the male has 24 or 25 usually, rarely 26. The type locality is in Colombia.
Oroperipatus bluntschli is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The original description of this species is based on a female specimen measuring 100 mm in length; its 40 pairs of legs are notable for approaching the maximum number (43) recorded in velvet worms. The type locality is in Peru.
Oroperipatus cameranoi is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. This species ranges from 34 mm to 55 mm in length. Females of this species have 34 to 36 pairs of legs; males have 32. The type locality is in Ecuador.
Oroperipatus corradoi is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. Females of this species have 26 to 29 pairs of legs, usually 28; males have 24 to 27. Females range from 14 mm to 60 mm in length, while males range from 14 mm to 25 mm in length. The type locality is in Ecuador.
Oroperipatus ecuadoriensis is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The original description of this species is based on a female specimen notable for its large size ; this description also reports 39 pairs of legs. The type locality is in Ecuador.
Oroperipatus eisenii is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatidae. Females of this species have 27 to 29 pairs of legs, usually 28; males have 23 to 26. Females range from 30 mm to 57 mm in length, while males range from 20 mm to 23 mm. The type locality is found in Brazil and central Mexico.
Oroperipatus intermedius is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The female of this species has 32 pairs of legs. The type locality is in Bolivia.
Oroperipatus koepckei is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The original description of this species is based on a single female specimen measuring 40 mm in length. The female of this species has 32 pairs of legs. The type locality is in Peru.
Oroperipatus lankesteri is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. This velvet worm is notable for its large size, reaching 82 mm in length. This species is known only from its type locality in the northern Pacific lowlands of Ecuador.
Oroperipatus omeyrus is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. This species is blackish red on its dorsal surface but lighter and brownish on its ventral surface. The original description of this species is based on female specimens with 24 to 26 pairs of legs and an embryo with 22 pairs of legs. The females range from 16 mm to 22 mm in length. The type locality is in Peru.
Oroperipatus peruvianus is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. Males of this species have 34 pairs of legs; females have 36 or 37. Female specimens range from 55 mm to 61 mm in length. The type locality is in Peru.
Oroperipatus soratanus is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. Females of this species have 32 pairs of legs; males have 28. The type locality is in Bolivia.
Oroperipatus weyrauchi is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The original description of this species is based on only two specimens, a male with 40 pairs of legs and a larger female with 38 leg pairs. The type locality is in Peru.
Peripatus dominicae is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family. The type locality for this species is on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Although Stewart Peck introduced the name Peripatus dominicae dominicae in 1975 to distinguish the original species from other subspecies then assigned to P. dominicae, authorities now deem these subspecies to be separate species in light of the significant distances between their type localities.
Peripatus juanensis is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatidae family discovered in Puerto Rico in 1900. As of 2018, it is the only velvet worm found in Puerto Rico. Females of this species have 31 or 32 pairs of legs; males have 27.
Ooperipatellus nickmayeri is a species of oviparous velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is larger than any other in the genus Ooperipatellus. With a body size exceeding 60 mm in females and 30 mm in males, these velvet worms can be more than twice as long as other species of this genus.