Metaperipatus

Last updated

Metaperipatus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Onychophora
Family: Peripatopsidae
Genus: Metaperipatus
Clark, 1913
Species:
M. inae
Binomial name
Metaperipatus inae
Mayer, 2007

Metaperipatus is a genus of velvet worms in the family Peripatopsidae that contains two species found in Chile, including Metaperipatus inae. [1] [2] [3] This genus was created by the American zoologist Austin Hobart Clark in 1913 to contain the type species, M. blainvillei. [4] Authorities believe M. blainvillei is a species complex, however, and some consider M. blainvillei a nomen dubium . [5] [3]

Contents

Discovery

The velvet worm M. blainvillei was first described in 1837 by the French entomologist Paul Gervais. He named this species Venilia blainvillei after the French zooligist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville. [6] The precise type locality is unknown, however, and the type material has been lost, leading some authorities to deem M. blainvillei a nomen dubium. [3] [5]

The species M. inae was first described in 2007 by the biologist Georg Mayer, who named this species after his wife, Ina Mayer, who found the first specimen. [2] Mayer based the original description of M. inae on specimens collected from rotting logs and under moss in a forest near Contulmo in Chile in 2004. [2] The holotype for M. inae is deposited in the Museo Zoológico de la Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile. [3]

Description

Velvet worms in this genus have 19 to 22 pairs of legs, with the last pair clawed. [7] The last leg pair is greatly reduced, with legs only about half as long as the preceding pair. The last pair of legs are also directed posteriorly and not used in locomotion. [2]

The number of legs in M. inae is fixed by species but sexually dimorphic: Males have 20 pairs of legs, whereas females have 22 leg pairs. [2] The number of legs in M. blainvillei, however, varies within each sex: Males have 19 to 22 leg pairs, whereas females have 20 to 22 pairs. [8] Authors have assigned specimens to M. blainvillei from a wide area, and the unusual variation in leg number in specimens from different locations leads authorities to suspect that M. blainvillei is a species complex. [3] [5]

The species M. inae is a dark grayish blue in color, with large irregular orange/red spots consisting of numerous orange/red dermal papillae. M. blainvillei is also dark grayish blue, but speckled with single orange/red papillae that are scattered more evenly across the body. The species M. inae is also larger than M. blainvillei: When females of the species M. inae are walking, they can be as long as 85 mm, and males can be as long as 60 mm. [2] Specimens of M. blainvillei, however, reach a maximum length of 65 mm for females and 40 mm for males. [8]

Reproduction

Both M. inae and M. blainvillei reproduce using dermal insemination. Males of both species deposit spermatophores on the surface of the females' bodies. Authorities believe that dermal insemination allows sperm to bypass the embryos developing in the female genital tract that would otherwise obstruct their passage to the ovaries. [2]

Velvet worms in this genus exhibit matrotrophic viviparity, that is, mothers in this genus retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta. The embryos are surrounded by a vitelline envelope, but there is no chorion in this genus. Females of M. inae 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. [9] Embryos collected from females of this species feature huge translucent trophic vesicles that resemble those found in Peripatopsis sedgwicki and Paraperipatus novaebritanniae . [2]

Phylogeny

Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the species in the Chilean genus Metaperipatus form a clade that is a sister group of the South African genus Peripatopsis . These two genera share a pair of unusual features setting them apart from other velvet worms: dermal insemination and embryos with trophic vesicles. [10] The evidence suggests that Metaperipatus and Peripatopsis diverged 141 million years ago, even before the southern Atlantic Ocean opened between South America and Africa 130 million years ago. [11]

The closely related genera Metaperipatus and Peripatopsis, in turn, form a clade that is a sister group of the other South African genus Opisthopatus . Thus, Metaperipatus is nested among the South African species in a phylogenetic tree, and the South African group is paraphyletic with respect to the Chilean genus Metaperipatus. [11] [10] [12] Together, these Chilean and South African genera form a West Gondwanan clade that is a sister group to the East Gondwanan clade containing other genera (found in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and New Guinea) in the family Peripatopsidae. [11]

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

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.

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

Peripatidae is a family of velvet worms. The oldest putative representatives of the family herald from Burmese amber dated to the mid-Cretaceous, around 100 million years ago, with representatives from Dominican and Baltic amber attesting to a broader distribution in the Palaeogene / Neogene; molecular variability suggests that the family's crown group may have arisen in the early Mesozoic.

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

Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families.

Paraperipatus is a genus of velvet worms in the family Peripatopsidae. The number of legs vary within species as well as among species in this genus and can range from as few as 21 pairs up to 27 pairs in males and 29 pairs in females. The maximum number of leg pairs recorded in this genus (29) is also the maximum number of leg pairs found in the family Peripatopsidae. This genus exhibits matrotrophic viviparity, that is, mothers in this genus retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta. Species in this genus are found in New Guinea and Maluku, Indonesia.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Updated Onychophora checklist". Onychophora Website. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mayer, Georg (2007-04-05). "Metaperipatus inae sp. nov. (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae) from Chile with a novel ovarian type and dermal insemination". Zootaxa. 1440 (1): 21–37. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1440.1.2. ISSN   1175-5334 – via ResearchGate.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  4. ↑ Clark, Austin Hobart (1913). "A revision of the American species of Peripatus" (PDF). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 26: 15–20.
  5. 1 2 3 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. Bibcode:2012ZooK..211....1O. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.211.3463 . PMC   3426840 . PMID   22930648.
  6. ↑ Gervais, P. (1837). "Étude pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des myriapodes". Annales des Sciences Naturelles [2e Série] (in French). 7: 35–60 [38].
  7. ↑ Reid, A. L. (1996). "Review of the Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) in Australia, with comments on peripatopsid relationships". Invertebrate Systematics. 10 (4): 663–936. doi:10.1071/it9960663. ISSN   1447-2600.
  8. 1 2 Monge-Nájera, Julián (1994). "Reproductive trends, habitat type and body characteristcs in velvet worms (Onychophora)". Revista de Biología Tropical. 42 (3): 611–622. ISSN   2215-2075.
  9. ↑ 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
  10. 1 2 Murienne, Jerome; Daniels, Savel R.; Buckley, Thomas R.; Mayer, Georg; Giribet, Gonzalo (2014-01-22). "A living fossil tale of Pangaean biogeography". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 281 (1775): 20132648. doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2648. ISSN   0962-8452. PMC   3866409 . PMID   24285200.
  11. 1 2 3 Giribet, Gonzalo; Buckman-Young, Rebecca S.; Costa, Cristiano Sampaio; Baker, Caitlin M.; Benavides, Ligia R.; Branstetter, Michael G.; Daniels, Savel R.; Pinto-da-Rocha, Ricardo (2018-08-16). "The 'Peripatos' in Eurogondwana? – Lack of evidence that south-east Asian onychophorans walked through Europe". Invertebrate Systematics. 32 (4): 842–865. doi:10.1071/IS18007. ISSN   1447-2600. S2CID   91640771.
  12. ↑ Allwood, Julia; Gleeson, Dianne; Mayer, Georg; Daniels, Savel; Beggs, Jacqueline R.; Buckley, Thomas R. (2010). "Support for vicariant origins of the New Zealand Onychophora". Journal of Biogeography. 37 (4): 669–681. Bibcode:2010JBiog..37..669A. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02233.x. ISSN   0305-0270. JSTOR   25654286. S2CID   55395265.

Further reading


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.