[Invertebrate • 2020] Mongeperipatus kekoldi • A New Giant Velvet Worm (Onychophora: Peripatidae) from Costa Rica suggests absence of the Genus Peripatus in Central America

Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 
Barquero-González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes,
Mongeperipatus kekoldi 

González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes, 2020

DOI: doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i1.37675  

  Researchgate.net/publication/339080977

Abstract

Introduction: Neotropical onychophoran taxonomy and diversity has been poorly investigated. Recent studies have discovered problems in species classification: they have questioned the accepted genera and the actual number of species. This is true in Costa Rica, where several unidentified species have been reported. Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the occurrence of the accepted genera in this country, and to describe a new genus and species from Central America. 

Methods: In 2017, we collected one onychophoran in the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve in Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica. The specimen gave birth to several offspring. Therefore, seven organisms were analyzed. Light microscopy was used to observe the gross morphology in all samples. The detailed morphology was studied in the biggest specimen with scanning electron microscopy; after that, we performed a phylogenetic analysis with the corresponding sequence of COI. 

Results: According to our results, a new genus and species of giant onychophoran was found. The genus was identified by its giant size, apical piece of seven scale ranks, large conical primary papillae, dorso-median furrow flanked by two-three accessory papillae, the absence of hyaline organs and a marked sexual dimorphism with respect to the number of legs. The new species presents a particular head pattern, as well as novel structures like cephalic papillae, accessory papillae with rudimentary apical pieces, and a lack of antennal chemoreceptors. Phylogenetic analysis rendered our genus as monophyletic and includes Peripatus solorzanoi, which is grouped within the Central American clade. As our species is clustered inside the Costa Rica-Panamanian group, it is not related to the Caribbean Island nor Guyanan Shield samples, home of Epiperipatus and Peripatus respectively. Therefore, we suggest that those genera do not occur in Central America, and a new genus exists: Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 

Conclusion: We concluded that Costa Rica is home to a diversity of undescribed onychophorans that requires specific studies to help clarify the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the group to justify their protection.

Keywords: onychophoran speciation, Costa Rican biodiversity, endemism, saproxilic taxa, phylogenetics

Mongeperipatus kekoldi gen. et sp. nov.
A. Adult specimen with bluish grey coloration and two rows of yellow papillae, its offspring has a pinkish brown color; B. Our biggest female size almost resembles that of Mongeperipatus solorzanoi; C. Female in its natural habitat.

Family PERIPATIDAE Bouvier, 1902 

Genus Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 

Barquero-González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes

 Type species: Mongeperipatus keköldi, gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Giant size in adults, biggest specimens reach between 18-22 cm in length; dorsal integument with large conical shaped primary papillae (Fig. 3B, Fig. 4B).Dorso-median furrow is flanked by two-three accessory papillae (Fig. 5A).Conical apical piece with four to seven scale ranks and a central sensory bristle, thorn-shaped, straight or slightly curved with an ornamented base (Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C). Hyaline organs are absent (Fig. 5D). A marked sexual dimorphism is seen in the number of legs (32-34 pairs in males and 37-41 pairs in females).

Mongeperipatus keköldi, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named in honor of its type locality: the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve. The Bribri indigenous group gave the reserve’s name. It means “río bastón del awá” or “the river that supports the awá”. Awá means doctor in the Bribri language.

Mongeperipatus solorzanoi (Morera-Brenes & Monge-Najera, 2010). comb. nov.

 

José Pablo Barquero González, Steven Sánchez-Vargas and Bernal Morera-Brenes. 2020. A New Giant Velvet Worm from Costa Rica suggests absence of the Genus Peripatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) in Central America. Revista de biologia tropical. 68(1) DOI: doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i1.37675 

 revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/37675

  Researchgate.net/publication/339080977_A_new_giant_velvet_worm_from_Costa_Rica 

[Invertebrate • 2025] Rediscovery and Phylogenetic Position of A Long-lost Typhloperipatus williamsoni Kemp, 1913 (Onychophora: Peripatidae) after 111 Years from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Typhloperipatus williamsoni Kemp, 1913 

in Narayanan, Priyadarsanan, Ranjith, Sahanashree et Ananthram, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2483434 

ABSTRACT

Typhloperipatus williamsoni, a long-lost species of the phylum Onychophora (velvet worms), is rediscovered after over a century in the Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The rediscovery is based on two individuals, one collected near the type locality (Kalek, Arunachal Pradesh, India) and the other from a previously unknown location (Yingku, Arunachal Pradesh, India). We provide additional natural history and distribution information about this poorly known species, and the first live images. Molecular data for T. williamsoni is generated for the first time to understand its phylogenetic position within Peripatidae. The phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S and COI) recovered T. williamsoni as a sister to Southeast Asian Eoperipatus. Further, the biogeographic scenario of Asian peripatids is briefly discussed based on the molecular dating analysis.

KEYWORDS: Velvet worms, Siang expedition, natural history, molecular analysis, biogeography

 

 Typhloperipatus williamsoni Kemp, 1913 

Surya Narayanan, D.R. Priyadarsanan, A.P. Ranjith, R. Sahanashree and Aravind Neelavar Ananthram. 2025. Rediscovery and Phylogenetic Position of A Long-lost Typhloperipatus williamsoni Kemp, 1913 (Onychophora: Peripatidae) after 111 Years from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Natural History. 59(17-20); 1167-1180. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2483434 [11 Apr 2025]

[Invertebrate • 2024] Oroperipatus tiputini • A New Species of Velvet Worm of the Genus Oroperipatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) from western Amazonia

 Colour variation in the life of Oroperipatus tiputini sp. nov.
 A. Adult male paratype; B. Adult male paratype;
C. Adult female holotype (ZSFQ-i8248) and youngling paratype a few days after being born. 

Montalvo-Salazar, Bejarano, Valarezo & Cisneros-Heredia, 2024

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.117952

All photographs were taken at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.

Photographs by Pedro Peñaherrera R. (A, C) and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia (B).

Abstract

The diversity of Neotropical velvet worms (Onychophora, Neopatida) is significantly underestimated, particularly within the Andean clade represented by the genus Oroperipatus, the last species of which was described more than 70 years ago. Here, we describe a new species of Oroperipatus from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador, bringing the total number of described species on mainland Ecuador to seven and in western Amazonia to three. The new species, Oroperipatus tiputini sp. nov., can be distinguished from its congenerics by the following combination of characters: two variations of primary papillae alternated between dorsal plicae; four scale ranks in the apical piece of primary papillae; reduced fifth spinous pad of legs IV and V; four supraocular papillae; occasionally reduced anterior papilla; males with two crural tubercles per leg in the first pregenital pair and a single crural tubercle per leg in the next pair; and some accessory papillae with one lateral rudimentary apical piece. We also discuss novel morphological similarities and differences with other Neopatida genera, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Key Words: Andean peripatids, Ecuador, Neopatida, new species, taxonomy, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Yasuni

 Colour variation in the life of Oroperipatus tiputini sp. nov.
 A. Adult male paratype, ZSFQ-i8270; B. Adult male paratype, ZSFQ-i5151; C. Adult female holotype (ZSFQ-i8248) and youngling paratype (ZSFQ-17794) a few days after being born. 

All photographs were taken at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.

Photographs by Pedro Peñaherrera R. (A, C) and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia (B).

 Oroperipatus tiputini sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Oroperipatus tiputini sp. nov. differs from all other congeneric species by having two size variations of primary papillae alternated between dorsal plicae (Figs 3A, 4C), apical piece of primary papillae with four scale ranks (Fig. 4B), reduced fifth spinous pad of legs IV and V (Fig. 3B), four foot papillae, four supraocular papillae, and occasionally the anterior papilla reduced (Fig. 1); some accessory papillae with one lateral rudimentary apical piece (Fig. 4C); males with two crural tubercles per leg in first pregenital pair and a single crural tubercle per leg in the next pair (Fig. 3C).

Etymology: The specific epithet is used as a name in apposition in reference to the type locality of the new species, Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS). We present this new species in recognition of the hard work done to protect Amazonian biodiversity by TBS’s management, research, and field team at one of the most important research stations in western Amazonia (Bass et al. 2010).

Jorge L. Montalvo-Salazar, M. Lorena Bejarano, Alfredo Valarezo, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2024. A New Species of Velvet Worm of the Genus Oroperipatus (Onychophora, Peripatidae) from western Amazonia. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 779-789. DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.117952

 

[Invertebrate • 2023] Epiperipatus puri • A New Velvet Worm (Onychophora: Peripatidae) from Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

Epiperipatus puri 

 Costa, Mendes & Giupponi​, 2023

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15384

Abstract 

Epiperipatus ohausi (Bouvier, 1900) is the first species known from Rio de Janeiro, and more than 120 years later a new species is described in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). In this study, we describe the second species in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which we are naming in honor of the indigenous population called puri who resided in southeastern coastal Brazil. The species can be diagnosed mainly by large dorsal primary papillae close to the insertion of the legs drawing a light band from the anterior to the posterior region of the body, and large dorsal primary papillae alternating on the dorsal plicae. Moreover, they are recognized in vivo by the color of the diamond-shaped marks brownish orange on the dorsal portion of the body. Epiperipatus puri sp. nov. morphologically seems to be related to Epiperipatus acacioi (Marcus & Marcus, 1995) by the shape of the primary papillae apical piece and to E. ohausi by the resemblance of dorsal papillae. The phylogeny shows a close relationship between the new species and E. ohausi in a clade with a still undescribed species from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil located within the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world.

Photos of female paratype. Epiperipatus puri sp. nov., body background and papillae of female paratype MZUSP 0122, and the environment where the specimens were found. Body background in (A and B) dorsal side, (C and D) lateral side and (E) ventral side. (F) Site where the specimens were collected, under the roots of the grass, at Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA), Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 Scales bars 2, 4 and 5 = 1 mm; 3, 6 = 2 mm.

Family Peripatidae Evans, 1901

Genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1915

Epiperipatus puri sp. nov.

Diagnosis (based on a combination of characters as follows). Epiperipatus species with large dorsal primary papillae close to the insertion of the legs drawing a narrow light band from the anterior to posterior regions of the body. The distribution of large pale dorsal primary papillae alternates the dorsal plicae with clear differences in the number in two sequential plicae. Moreover, they are recognized in vivo by the color the diamond-shape marks brownish-orange (Figs. 2A–2D).

Etymology. The epithet puri (in apposition) refers to the Puri indigenous group belonging to the Macro-Jê linguistic group. They inhabited, among other places, the mountain region of the Rio de Janeiro state where specimens of this species were collected. Noun in apposition.

Conclusions: 

Our description of Epiperipatus puri sp. nov. contributes to the knowledge of the biodiversity in a hotspot for conservation, the Atlantic Forest. We characterized the species morphologically with the use of SEMs and photographs, including in vivo (important for recognizing the species in the field). All the type material was collected in a private reserve that is contiguous to a State Protected Area, demonstrating the importance of this type of initiative. E. puri sp. nov. was assigned to Epiperipatus such as the putative closer species, E. ohausi, but future studies could reveal the actual boundaries of the genera for there is molecular evidence that they could belong to Peripatus (Giribet et al., 2018)⁠. One of the known obstacles to the conservation of invertebrates is the poor state of knowledge of the species, many still unnamed. In the case of velvet worms, the difficulty to describe a species is notorious, and one recent proposed solution to deal with this problem is to connect information about undescribed species to common names (Sosa-Bartuano, Monge-Nájera & Morera-Brenes, 2018)⁠.

Cristiano Sampaio Costa, Amanda Cruz Mendes and Alessandro Ponce de Leão Giupponi​. 2023. Epiperipatus puri sp. nov., A New Velvet Worm from Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil (Onychophora, Peripatidae) PeerJ. 11:e15384. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15384

[Paleontology • 2015] Collinsium ciliosum • A Superarmored Lobopodian from the Cambrian of China and Early Disparity in the Evolution of Onychophora

Collinsium ciliosum 

Yang, Ortega-Hernández, Gerber, Butterfield, Hou, Lan & Zhang, 2015
 doi: 10.1073/pnas.1505596112

Collinsium ciliosum, a Collins' monster-type lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba biota of China.

— Jie Yang/Javier Ortega-Hernández 

Significance

Paleozoic lobopodians constitute a diverse assemblage of worm-like organisms that are known from various exceptional fossil deposits and were among the earliest animals to develop skeletonized body parts for protection. Here, we describe Collinsium ciliosum gen. et sp. nov., an armored lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte (South China). Collinsium belongs to an extinct clade of superarmored lobopodians characterized by supernumerary dorsal spines, and specialized limbs for filter feeding; collectively, these fossil taxa represent a well-defined group within the lineage leading to extant velvet worms (Onychophora). Despite their greater morphological variety and appendage complexity compared with other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, Collinsium and its close relatives embodied a unique, yet ultimately failed, autoecology during the Cambrian explosion.

Abstract

We describe Collinsium ciliosum from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte in South China, an armored lobopodian with a remarkable degree of limb differentiation including a pair of antenna-like appendages, six pairs of elongate setiferous limbs for suspension feeding, and nine pairs of clawed annulated legs with an anchoring function. Collinsium belongs to a highly derived clade of lobopodians within stem group Onychophora, distinguished by a substantial dorsal armature of supernumerary and biomineralized spines (Family Luolishaniidae). As demonstrated here, luolishaniids display the highest degree of limb specialization among Paleozoic lobopodians, constitute more than one-third of the overall morphological disparity of stem group Onychophora, and are substantially more disparate than crown group representatives. Despite having higher disparity and appendage complexity than other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, the specialized mode of life embodied by luolishaniids became extinct during the Early Paleozoic. Collinsium and other superarmored lobopodians exploited a unique paleoecological niche during the Cambrian explosion.

Kaywords: Collins’ monster, Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte, Cambrian explosion, evolution, phylogeny

A graphical depiction of the morphology of ancient onychophorans. X denotes unavailable or incomplete limb data for the taxon; dashed line indicates morphospace distribution for all members of stem group Onychophora.

— Javier Ortega-Hernández

Jie Yang, Javier Ortega-Hernández, Sylvain Gerber, Nicholas J. Butterfield, Jin-bo Hou, Tian Lan, and Xi-guang Zhang. 2015. A Superarmored Lobopodian from the Cambrian of China and Early Disparity in the Evolution of Onychophora. PNAS. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1505596112

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/06/24/1505596112.abstract

Spiky monsters: New species of 'super-armored' worm discovered http://bit.ly/1Hk1cGR
via @Cambridge_Uni @EurekAlertAAAS 

Hallucigenia's new cousin http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/29/hallucigenia-cousin-collinsium/ via @SDUT

Armored Spiky Worm Had 30 Legs, Will Haunt Your Nightmares https://shar.es/1qC293 via @LiveScience