Peripatus (Onchyphora)

Reproductive strategies

within this group are surprisingly diverse. These include oviparity, ovoviviparity, viviparity with yolk-free eggs, and placental viviparity. Oviparity and ovoviviparity are the common reproductive strategies of the Peripatopsidae. Oviparous forms lay eggs singularly and possess an obvious ovipositor positioned between the last pair of legs, while ovoviviparous forms have eggs that hatch internally and give birth to live young.

Current Taxonomic Status

There are currently five species of Onychophora that have been formally described in New Zealand on the basis of morphological data. The main observable distinguishing features are reproductive strategy (oviparous or ovoviviparous), numbers of pairs of legs, features of the feet. There are many additional forms that have been uncovered during the revision of this group that do not fit the current descriptions which, along with the described species are given in the identification guide.

Ovoviviparous Onychophora

There are three species of ovoviviparous forms in New Zealand.

Peripatoides novaezealandiae (Hutton, 1876)

Distinctive features:

• 15 pairs of ambulatory legs with 3 (rarely 4) distal papillae at the end of the feet and 3 (sometimes 4) spinous pads
• variable colour from brown to purple-black and speckled with orange spots
• size variable from 5mm - 120mm

This species is the mostly widely distributed form within New Zealand. However, it is actually a species complex, which is under revision by PD Dr Hilke Ruhberg at University of Hamburg. Subsequently all ovoviviparous forms with 15 pairs of legs with 3 distal papillae on the feet are considered to be P. novaezealandiae. There is no defined 'type' specimen or type locality, other than being 'near Wellington'.

Peripatoides suteri (Dendy, 1894)

Distinctive features:

• 16 pairs of ambulatory legs, with 4 (rarely 3) distal papillae at the end of the feet and 4 (sometimes 3) spinous pads.
• colouration is similar to P. novaezealandiae
• size from 14mm - 90mm

This species was described as P. novaezealandiae var. suteri, and initially was found to be confined to the Mt Taranaki region, including Lake Rotokare near Eltham. However subsequent collections of forms with 16 pairs of legs have been made from Whakapapa, Coromandel, and Waitakere Ranges (refer to region in identification guide). Therefore, it is likely that numbers of pairs of legs alone is not a reliable character in defining species. No defined 'type' specimens exist.

Peripatoides indigo (Ruhberg, 1985)

Distinctive features:

• 15 pairs of ambulatory legs (in common with P. novaezealandiae) but with 5 distal papillae at the end of the feet and 4 (rarely 3) spinous pads
• colour deep purple blue with no other coloured papillae, lighter shade underneath.
• size large: 60-70mm females; 30-50mm males

Until recently, this species was only known from the type locality of the Twin Forks Cave, Paturau in the northwest Nelson region. The type specimen is lodged at the NZAC. Other localities include the Aorere Valley, and more recently P. indigo has been found in the vicinity of Perry's Hut, Heaphy Track.

Oviparous Onychophora

All oviparous onychophora are easily distinguished from ovoviparous species by the presence of an obvious ovipositor that appears between the final pair of legs. Also, in New Zealand, all oviparous species found have either 13 or 14 pairs of legs, which distinguishes them from Peripatoides.

Ooperipatellus viridimaculatus (Dendy 1900)

Distinctive features:

• 14 pairs of legs
• colouration consists of a  brown/orange base colour with a distinctive double row of green spots along the back
• size 30-50 mm

This species is found throughout most of the South Island alpine zone in beech forests through to alpine zone under stones up to 1650m. The type locality is considered to be the head of Lake Te Anau. There has been confusion of the taxonomic name of this species in that it has been considered a synonym of O. insignis, which is a species with a type locality in Victoria, Australia. However, morphological and molecular analysis has shown that this species is monophyletic with respect to O. insignis from Australia, so the description of Dendy (1900) of O. viridimaculatus is valid.

Ooperipatellus nanus (Ruhberg 1985)

Distinctive features:

• 13 pairs of legs
• colouration tan/brown, lighter yellow underneath and does not possess the green spots of O. viridimaculatus
• restricted distribution of the Takitimu Ranges, Fiordland.

This species is found predominantly in rotting beech logs throughout the Takitimu Ranges. The type material consists of 4 small juveniles, although further collections of adults also exist at the NZAC.