Peripatoides novaezealandiae

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Peripatoides novaezealandiae
Peripatoides novaezealandiae 150609625.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Onychophora
Family: Peripatopsidae
Genus: Peripatoides
Species:
P. novaezealandiae
Binomial name
Peripatoides novaezealandiae
(Hutton, 1876) [1]

Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. is an allozymatic (reproductively isolated) species of velvet worms in the Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex, [2] endemic to New Zealand. Other described species include P. aurorbis, P. kawekaensis, P. morgani and P. sympatrica. [3]

Contents

Description

Location of sole pads and distal papillae on the fifth leg of a male from P. novaezealandiae-complex. Schematic ventral sketch of the location of sole pads and distal papillae on the fifth leg of a male from P. novaezealandiae-complex.png
Location of sole pads and distal papillae on the fifth leg of a male from P. novaezealandiae-complex.
Location of characteristic orange papillae bulge relative to eye on P. novaezealandiae-complex. Fig. 2 in Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) from New Zealand - observations on selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex' in culture - morphological and reproductive aspects.png
Location of characteristic orange papillae bulge relative to eye on P. novaezealandiae-complex.

As with all Onychophora, Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. has a long, worm-like body, a head, and an anal cone. [6] [7] The head has three pairs of modified limbs: the antennae, the jaws, and the oral papillae. [6] [7] Their skin is velvety in texture and the sticky slime projected from their oral papillae does not stick to it. [6] They respire via two rows of trachea on the dorsal surface, which alternate with the legs. [6]

All species in the P. novaezealandiae-complex have fifteen pairs of unjointed, hollow cone-like limbs called lobopods. [6] [2] This distinguishes them from the closely related P. suteri which has sixteen pairs of lobopods. [8] [9] Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex has three complete spinous pads and a fourth fragmented pad on the ventral side of the legs. [10] Individuals all have three distal papillae on the feet. [10] [2]

Colour varies from brownish red to purplish black, but there is usually a thin black dorsal stripe. [6] A bulge of orange-coloured papillae near the eyes is characteristic of the P. novaezealandiae-complex. [10]

Length varies from 2.5–5 cm. [2] Males can reach a weight of up to 200 mg while adult female weight varies more widely, with some specimens of over 800 mg. [11]

Morphologically, males can usually be distinguished from females by the presence of a pair of posterior orange papillae which mark the opening of the anal glands. [2] [11] These papillae appear before maturity, so cannot be used to identify sexually mature males. [11] Males in the P. novaezealandiae-complex do not have the pheromone-producing crural glands found in many other Onychophora, such as Euperipatoides rowelli . [12]

Newborns of P. novaezealandiae s. str. are pure white with slightly purple antennae. [6] [13] Other P. novaezealandiae-complex morphs are born with pigments, possibly differentiating them from P. novaezealandiae s. str. [10]

Distribution and habitat

Natural global range

Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. is endemic to New Zealand. [8]

New Zealand range

Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. is limited to Wellington, Wairarapa, and southern Hawke's Bay regions in places such as Miller reserve, Otari, Akatarawa, Waiohine, Carterton, and Pahiatua. [2]

Habitat preferences

Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. is usually found within or beneath rotting logs. [2] [11] Sufficient moisture is vital for all Onychophora as they cannot regulate water loss due to a lack of both a waxy cuticle and tracheal spiracles. [12] [8] [14]

Life cycle

As with all of P. novaezealandiae-complex, Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. use lecithotrophic viviparity to reproduce and supply nutrition to their young. [7] This means embryos are surrounded by egg membranes and derive nutrition from a yolk while inside the ovary. [7] Hatching and birth are simultaneous. [7]

Juveniles go through three stages: [10]

Peripatids grow by moulting the outer cuticle when it becomes too restrictive. [14] P. novaezealandiae s. str. is an iteroparous batch breeder, meaning that it produces young in discontinuous batches. [13]

Males of P. novaezealandiae s. str. reach sexual maturity between 40–60 mg body weight, while females reach sexual maturity between 80–95 mg body weight. [11] Females with embryos are usually between 114–508 mg but can be as large as 800 mg. [11] Prior to the development of the first embryos, female paired uteri are white and thin. [11] Subsequently, the uteri are thick-walled, yellow, and baggy for all mature females. [11]

Females can store sperm in spermathecae, [11] possibly for more than two years. [10] Dissections show that both males and females contain sperm in all months of the year. [11]

In some Onychophora, spermatophores (capsules containing sperm) from the male attach themselves to the integument of the females. [15] Sperm invade the haemolymph (body cavity), making their way to the reproductive tract. [15] No spermatophores or scars have been found on female P. novaezealandiae-complex, but sperm has been found within the haemolymph. [11] Evidence suggests sperm transfer in this species is dermal-haemocoelic (through skin into the body cavity), but this has yet to be confirmed. [11]

Diet and foraging

A harvestman (Nuncia conjuncta ssp. conjuncta) eating P. novaezealandiae. Subspecies Nuncia conjuncta conjuncta preying on Peripatoides novaezealandiae.jpg
A harvestman (Nuncia conjuncta ssp. conjuncta) eating P. novaezealandiae.
A cave weta (Miotopus diversus) eating P. novaezealandiae. Miotopus diversus feeding on the Peripatoides novaezealandiae.jpg
A cave wētā (Miotopus diversus) eating P. novaezealandiae.
Peripatus is eating the spider Nanocambridgea gracilipes. Peripatoides novaezealandiae - Uwe Schneehagen - 433292266.jpeg
Peripatus is eating the spider Nanocambridgea gracilipes.

Like others in their genus, the Peripatoides novaezealandiae s. str. is a nocturnal predator. [6] [14]

Captive individuals of P. novaezealandiae-complex have been sustained with flies. [6] An abundance of centipedes have been found in logs that also contain P. novaezealandiae s. str., suggesting a possible predator-prey relationship. [13]

Peripatids use their oral papillae to shoot out sticky slime which thickens upon contact with the air and covers prey in a strong, net-like structure. [6] [14] They approach and use their jaws to puncture the cuticle of the trapped animal, injecting digestive enzymes and sucking up the liquefied remains. [6] [14] [7]

Predators, parasites, and diseases

Globally there has been very little research on the ecology of Onychophora. [18] Several species, including spiders and beetles, have been found in rotting logs along with P. novaezealandiae s. str.. [13] It is unknown if these species are predators, prey, or perhaps either depending on the specific interaction. [13] Observations on iNaturalist have shown two species eating P. novaezealandiae s. str., a harvestman ( Nuncia conjuncta ssp. conjuncta ) and a cave wētā ( Miotopus diversus ).

External nematodes have been found behind the oral papillae of P. novaezealandiae s. str., but there is no evidence of parasitism. [13] Mites have also been found on the integument, but without evidence of any feeding. [13] Both relationships may be better characterised as phoresy, where species are transported by the peripatus without causing harm. [13]

No internal parasites or damage consistent with fungal infection have been found in P. novaezealandiae. [13]

Conservation status

As a whole, P. novaezealandiae-complex is classed as ‘not threatened’ according to the 2018 New Zealand Threat Classification System. [19] In part, this is because the allozymatic species have not all been described and little is known about their distribution. [20]

Related Research Articles

Opisthopatus roseus is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. As traditionally defined, this species is rose pink with 18 pairs of legs. Known as the pink velvet worm, it is found only in the Weza Forest, a Mistbelt Forest in South Africa.

<i>Peripatoides indigo</i> Species of velvet worm

Peripatoides indigo, the indigo velvet worm, is a velvet worm of the family Peripatopsidae. The Māori name for the velvet worm is ngaokeoke, from the Māori word 'ngaoki', to crawl.

<i>Peripatoides</i> Genus of velvet worms

Peripatoides novaezealandiae is a species complex of velvet worms in the genus Peripatoides, found throughout New Zealand. Like all velvet worms, these animals are nocturnal predators that spit a sticky slime to trap their prey. Individuals of all species in the genus Peripatoides usually have 15 pairs of legs.

<i>Peripatoides suteri</i> Species of velvet worm

Peripatoides suteri is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species is ovoviviparous, has 16 pairs of legs, and is endemic to New Zealand. These velvet worms range in size from 14 mm to 90 mm.

<i>Peripatopsis</i> Genus of velvet worms

Peripatopsis is a genus of velvet worms in the Peripatopsidae family. These velvet worms are found in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. This genus was proposed by the British zoologist Reginald I. Pocock in 1894 with Peripatopsis capensis designated as the type species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peripatopsidae</span> Family of invertebrate animals

Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families. This family includes more than 140 described species distributed among 41 genera, but some authorities deem only 131 of these species to be valid. The French zoologist Eugène Louis Bouvier proposed this family in 1905 with Peripatopsis as the type genus.

<i>Occiperipatoides</i> Genus and species of velvet worm

Occiperipatoides is a monospecific genus of velvet worm containing the single species Occiperipatoides gilesii. This genus is ovoviviparous and found in Western Australia. The genus is part of the ancient phylum Onychophora that contains soft-bodied, many-legged relatives of arthropods known commonly as velvet worms.

<i>Ooperipatellus</i> Genus of velvet worms

Ooperipatellus is a genus of Australian and New Zealand velvet worms in the Peripatopsidae family. Species in this genus are oviparous. This genus was proposed by Hilke Ruhberg in 1985, with Ooperipatellus insignis designed at the type species. This genus is notable as the only one in which velvet worms have no more than 14 pairs of legs:

Metaperipatus is a genus of velvet worms in the family Peripatopsidae that contains two species found in Chile, including Metaperipatus inae. This genus was created by the American zoologist Austin Hobart Clark in 1913 to contain the type species, M. blainvillei. Authorities believe M. blainvillei is a species complex, however, and some consider M. blainvillei a nomen dubium.

Peripatoides kawekaensis is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species is ovoviviparous and has 15 pairs of legs. The type locality is in New Zealand's North Island.

Cephalofovea pavimenta is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. It is only known from the type locality; Mount Canobolas in New South Wales, Australia.

<i>Ooperipatellus nanus</i> Species of velvet worm

Ooperipatellus nanus is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South Island.

Paraperipatus novaebritanniae is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species is black with brown-yellow spots. Females of this species have 24 pairs of legs; males have 22 or 23 leg pairs. Females range from 14 mm to 55 mm in length, whereas males range from 14 mm to 26 mm. The type locality is in New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Paraperipatus papuensis is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species is a pale greenish blue. Females of this species may have as few as 21 pairs of legs or as many as 29 pairs, exhibiting the greatest intraspecific variation in leg number found in any peripatopsid species. Males of this species range from 21 to 27 leg pairs. The maximum number of leg pairs recorded in this species (29) is also the maximum number of leg pairs found in the family Peripatopsidae. Females range from 22 mm to 83 mm in length, whereas males range from 19 mm to 45 mm. The type locality is in Western New Guinea, Indonesia.

Peripatopsis birgeri is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. moseleyi species complex. The number of legs in this species varies from 21 pregenital pairs to 22 pregenital pairs. Live animals are light green, brown, or black with a distinct pale head collar; the ventral surface is creamy white. Males range from 23 mm to 40 mm in length; females range from 28 mm to 40 mm in length. Also known as the Mount Currie velvet worm, this species is known only from the Mount Currie Nature Reserve in South Africa.

<i>Peripatopsis capensis</i> Species of velvet worm

Peripatopsis capensis is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species has 18 pairs of legs: 17 pregenital leg pairs with claws plus one strongly reduced last pair without claws or spinous pads. Females of this species range from 9 mm to 70 mm in length, whereas males range from 6 mm to 54 mm. The native range of this species is limited to the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.

Peripatopsis hamerae is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. moseleyi species complex. The original description of this species is based on one specimen of each sex, each measuring 22 mm in length with a black dorsal surface and creamy white ventral surface. The male of this species has 22 pairs of pregenital legs and one pair of genital legs; the female has 23 pairs of pregenital legs and one pair of genital legs. Also known as the Kamala velvet worm, this species is known only from Groot Bruintjieshoogte in South Africa.

Peripatopsis janni is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. moseleyi species complex. The original description of this species is based on male specimens ranging from 15 mm to 30 mm in length. Live animals are dark green on the dorsal surface but greyish white on the ventral surface. The number of legs in males of this species varies from 21 pregenital pairs to 22 pregenital pairs. Also known as the Amathole velvet worm, this species is found in the Amathole mountains in South Africa.

<i>Peripatopsis moseleyi</i> Species of velvet worm

Peripatopsis moseleyi is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. Males of this species have 20 to 24 pairs of legs with claws ; females have 19 to 23 pairs of legs with claws. Females range from 11 mm to 75 mm in length, whereas males range from 9 mm to 50 mm. The type locality is in South Africa.

Peripatopsis sedgwicki is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. Also known as the Tsitsikamma velvet worm, this species has a narrow geographic distribution in South Africa but is especially abundant in the indigenous forest of the Tsitsikamma mountains. Recent phylogenetic analysis suggests that Peripatopsis sedgwicki is a species complex that contains three clades, each with a distinct geographic distribution, including at least one clade that may represent a novel species.

References

  1. ↑ "Peripatoides novaezealandiae (Hutton, 1876)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Trewick, Steven A. (1998). "Sympatric cryptic species in New Zealand Onychophora". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 63 (3): 307–329. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.1998.tb01520.x . ISSN   0024-4066.
  3. ↑ Trewick, S. A. (2000). "Mitochondrial DNA sequences support allozyme evidence for cryptic radiation of New Zealand Peripatoides (Onychophora)". Molecular Ecology. 9 (3): 269–281. Bibcode:2000MolEc...9..269T. doi:10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.00873.x. ISSN   1365-294X. PMID   10736025. S2CID   8637591.
  4. ↑ Pripnow, Birgit; Ruhberg, Hilke (31 August 2003). "Figs 3–5 in Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) from New Zealand - observations on selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae'-complex' in culture: morphological and reproductive aspects". African Invertebrates. 44 (1): 103–114.
  5. ↑ Pripnow, Birgit; Ruhberg, Hilke (31 August 2003). "Fig. 2 in Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) from New Zealand - observations on selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex' in culture: morphological and reproductive aspects". African Invertebrates. 44 (1): 103–114.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Hutton, F.W. (November 1876). "On Peripatus novæ-zealandiæ". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 18 (107): 361–369. doi:10.1080/00222937608682060.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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
  8. 1 2 3 Gleeson, Dianne M. (January 1996). "Onychophora of New Zealand; past, present and future". New Zealand Entomologist. 19 (1): 51–55. Bibcode:1996NZEnt..19...51G. doi:10.1080/00779962.1996.9722023.
  9. ↑ Gleeson, D. M.; Ruberg, H. (2010). "Phylum Onychophora: velvet worms, peripatus.". In Gordon, D. P. (ed.). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Christchurch, N.Z: Canterbury University Press. pp. 36–39. ISBN   978-1-87725793-3.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pripnow, Birgit; Ruhberg, Hilke (31 August 2003). "Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) from New Zealand - observations on selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex' in culture: morphological and reproductive aspects". African Invertebrates. 44 (1): 103–114. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7666500.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Tutt, Karen; Daugherty, Charles H.; Gibbs, George W. (2002). "Differential life-history characteristics of male and female Peripatoides novaezealandiae (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae)". Journal of Zoology. 258 (2): 257–267. doi: 10.1017/S095283690200136X . ISSN   1469-7998.
  12. 1 2 Barclay, S. D.; Rowell, D. M.; Ash, J. E. (April 2000). "Pheromonally mediated colonization patterns in the velvet worm Euperipatoides rowelli (Onychophora)". Journal of Zoology. 250 (4): 437–446. doi:10.1017/s0952836900004027.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Tutt, Karen (1997). The life history and reproductive cycle of Peripatoides novaezealandiae (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae).
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Hardie, R. (1975). "The riddle of Peripatus". Australian Natural History. 18 (5): 180–185. ISSN   0004-9840.
  15. 1 2 Manton, S. M. (18 February 1938). "Studies on the Onychophora, IV - The passage of spermatozoa into the ovary on Peripatopsis and the early developments of the ova". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 228 (556): 421–441. Bibcode:1938RSPTB.228..421M. doi:10.1098/rstb.1938.0001.
  16. ↑ Schneehagen, Uwe (24 July 2021). "Subspecies Nuncia conjuncta conjuncta". iNaturalist.
  17. ↑ Schneehagen, Uwe (24 January 2022). "New Zealand peripatus (Peripatoides novaezealandiae)". iNaturalist.
  18. ↑ Guerrero-Casado, José; Monge-Nájera, Julián (16 November 2022). "Bibliometrics of velvet worm (Onychophora) research: geographic and historical trends over 150 years, and recommendations for future work". Biologia. 78 (1): 109–117. Bibcode:2022Biolg..78..109G. doi:10.1007/s11756-022-01221-5.
  19. ↑ Trewick, S.; Hitchmough, R.; Rolfe, J.; Stringer, I. (2018). Conservation status of New Zealand Onychophora ('peripatus' or velvet worm), 2018 (PDF). New Zealand Department of Conservation.
  20. ↑ New Zealand peripatus/ngaokeoke : current knowledge, conservation and future research needs. New Zealand. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Ōtepoti/Dunedin Office. 2014. ISBN   9780478150094. OCLC   994631114.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)


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