Peripatopsis sedgwicki

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Peripatopsis sedgwicki
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Onychophora
Family: Peripatopsidae
Genus: Peripatopsis
Species:
P. sedgwicki
Binomial name
Peripatopsis sedgwicki
Purcell, 1899
Synonyms
  • Peripatus dewaali(Weber, 1898)

Peripatopsis sedgwicki is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. [1] Also known as the Tsitsikamma velvet worm, [2] this species has a narrow geographic distribution in South Africa but is especially abundant in the indigenous forest of the Tsitsikamma mountains. [3] [4] 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. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Discovery

This species was first described under the name Peripatus dewaali by the Dutch zoologist Max Weber in 1898 based on specimens he collected near the town on Knysna in the Western Cape province of South Africa. [8] In 1899, the South African zoologist William F. Purcell described this species based on a male and eleven females that he found in 1896 in rotten wood in the forest and under heaps of weeds on farms near the town of Knysna. [9] [3] He named this species Peripatopsis sedgwicki for the British zoologist Adam Sedgwick. [9] Although Peripatopsis sedgwicki is a junior synonym of Peripatus dewaali, authorities favor the name Peripatopsis sedgwicki based on its long usage, deeming Peripatus dewaali to be a nomen oblitum and designating Peripatopsis sedgwicki a nomen protectum . [6] [7]

Description

This species varies from blue-tan green to bright orange and brown violet. [4] Although Weber describes Peripatus dewaali as having 19 pairs of legs, [8] Purcell describes Peripatopsis sedgwicki with 20 leg pairs instead. [9] A recent study finds that this species has either 19 or 20 leg pairs in most populations, but a discrete population in the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape province has either 22 or 23 leg pairs. [5] The last leg pair (the genital pair) in this species features a claw [5] (like those on the pregenital pairs) and is well developed compared to those in some other species in the genus Peripatopsis. [9] The last leg pair, however, is smaller than the preceding leg pair and reduced more in the male than in the female. [3] [9] This species is relatively large: [9] Females range in size from 12 mm to 68 mm in length, whereas males range from 10 mm to 46 mm in length. [3]

Reproduction and life cycle

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. Females of this species produce eggs with almost no yolk, and embryos develop large "trophic organs" or "trophic vesicles" that may function as means to absorb nourishment from the mother. [10] The female of this species gives birth to her first batch of young when she is about two years old. About a month before the birth of each batch, the next batch of eggs are fertilized. The young reach their maximum size when they are about three years old. These velvet worms have a life span of about six to seven years. [3]

Phylogenetic analysis

A phylogenetic study of this species published in 2017 analyzed a sample of 65 specimens collected from eleven localities. The analysis indicates that P. sedgwicki contains three allopatric clades: One clade is narrowly confined to an area in the Western Cape province near the type locality Knysna (found at three localities: Homtini, Diepwalle, and Garden of Eden), a second clade is distributed more broadly, found in several locations in the Eastern Cape province (Khoisan Village, Essenbos, Ladyslipper, Port Elizabeth, Zuurberg, and Rivendell Farm) and one location in the Western Cape province (Natures Valley) near the border between the two provinces, and a third clade is limited to the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve in the interior of the Eastern Cape province. The Western Cape and Eastern Cape clades each have 19 or 20 leg pairs, but the Fort Fordyce clade has 22 or 23 leg pairs. The results suggest that at least the Fort Fordyce clade is probably a separate species, but further analyses are necessary for a taxonomic description. [5]

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. Specimens have been found on the forest floor amongst leaf litter, beneath, and within fallen logs.

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

Peripatopsis is a genus of South African velvet worms in the Peripatopsidae family. The number of legs in this genus ranges from as few as 16 pairs to as many as 25 pairs and varies within species when the number is greater than 18 pairs. Velvet worms in this genus feature a last pair of legs that is rudimentary or reduced in size, mainly in males. The feet in this genus feature three distal leg papillae: two anterior and one posterior.

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

Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families.

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.

Opisthopatus cinctipes is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species has 16 pairs of legs, all with claws and all used for walking. The color of the dorsal surface varies from blue to olive green. Females range from 7 mm to 50 mm in length, whereas males range from 6 mm to 36 mm. 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. The type locality is in South Africa.

Peripatopsis balfouri is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species has 18 pairs of clawed legs. Also known as the blue velvet worm, this species ranges from 9 mm to 22 mm in length. The type locality is 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 cederbergiensis is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. balfouri species complex. Males of this species have 17 clawed legs with the last pair highly reduced, whereas females have a complete foot with claws on the reduced leg. This species is charcoal black in color and ranges from 9 mm to 15 mm in length. Also known as the Cederberg velvet worm, this species is endemic to the Cederberg Mountains 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 lawrencei</i> Species of velvet worm

Peripatopsis lawrencei is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species has 18 pairs of legs: 17 pregenital leg pairs plus one last pair that is strongly reduced and without claws or spinous pads. This species is restricted to the Theewaterskloof-Overstrand region of 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 purpureus is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. balfouri species complex. Males of this species have 17 clawed legs with the last pair highly reduced, whereas females have a complete foot with claws on the reduced leg. Specimens range from 17 mm to 25 mm in length. Named for its purple-blue color, this species is found in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Peripatopsis storchi 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 ranges from 21 pregenital pairs to 23 pregenital pairs. Males of this species range from 12 mm to 22 mm in length, and females range from 22 mm to 36 mm in length, but live animals can stretch to 50 mm while walking. Also known as the Katberg velvet worm, this species is known only from the Katberg forest in South Africa.

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

Peripatopsis alba, the white cave velvet worm, is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is notable as one of only two species of velvet worm known to be troglobitic; the only other velvet worm known to be a troglobiont is Speleoperipatus spelaeus. The white cave velvet worm is rare and limited to one cave system on Table Mountain in South Africa.

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

Peripatopsis clavigera, the Knysna velvet worm, is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. This species has 16 pairs of legs and ranges from 4 mm to 17 mm in length. Peripatopsis clavigera is found in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests of the Diepwalle Nature Reserve in South Africa.

Peripatopsis edenensis is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. clavigera species complex. This species has 16 pairs of legs, varies from slate black to charcoal, and ranges from 4 mm to 17 mm in length. Also known as the Eden velvet worm, this species is found in the Garden of Eden Nature Reserve and in forests along the coast of Western Cape province in South Africa.

Peripatopsis ferox is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. clavigera species complex. This species has 17 pairs of legs, varies from slate black to brown, and ranges from 17 mm to 28 mm in length. Also known as the Wilderness velvet worm, this species has an extensive distribution across many patches of forest in Western Cape province in South Africa.

Peripatopsis mellaria is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. clavigera species complex. This species has 17 pairs of legs, varies from slate black to charcoal, and ranges from 11 mm to 20 mm in length. Also known as the Outeniqua velvet worm, this species is found in forests along the coast in Western Cape province in South Africa.

Peripatopsis mira is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species is a clade in the P. clavigera species complex. This species has 17 pairs of legs, varies from slate black to charcoal, and is found on the south-facing slope of the Outeniqua mountain range in Western Cape province in South Africa.

References

  1. ↑ Oliveira, I. S.; Hering, L. & Mayer, G. "Updated Onychophora checklist". Onychophora Website. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Tsitsikamma Velvetworm (Peripatopsis sedgwicki)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  4. 1 2 Daniels, Savel R.; Picker, Mike D.; Cowlin, Ross M.; Hamer, Michelle L. (2009-05-01). "Unravelling evolutionary lineages among South African velvet worms (Onychophora: Peripatopsis) provides evidence for widespread cryptic speciation". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 97 (1): 200–216. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2009.01205.x . ISSN   0024-4066.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Daniels, Savel R.; Dreyer, Megan; Sharma, Prashant P.; Daniels, Savel R.; Dreyer, Megan; Sharma, Prashant P. (2017-12-04). "Contrasting the population genetic structure of two velvet worm taxa (Onychophora : Peripatopsidae : Peripatopsis) in forest fragments along the south-eastern Cape, South Africa". Invertebrate Systematics. 31 (6): 781–796. doi:10.1071/IS16085. ISSN   1447-2600. S2CID   49530457.
  6. 1 2 Oliveira, Ivo; Read, V. Morley; Mayer, Georg (2012-07-25). "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 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   3426840 . PMID   22930648.
  7. 1 2 Oliveira, Ivo de Sena (2023-11-16). "An updated world checklist of velvet worms (Onychophora) with notes on nomenclature and status of names". ZooKeys (1184): 133–260. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1184..133O. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1184.107286 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   10680090 . PMID   38023768.
  8. 1 2 Weber, M. (1898). "Wetenschappelijke Vergadering". Tijdschrift der Nederlandsche Dierkundige Vereniging (in Dutch). 5 (4): VII–IX – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Purcell, W.F. (1899). "On the South African species of Peripatidae in the collection of the South African Museum". Annals of the South African Museum. 1: 331–351 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  10. ↑ 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


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