Peripatus or velvet worms have characteristics of both worms and arthropods. They are so different from other related creatures that they have been given their own phylum – Onychophora. The most common and widespread species of peripatus in New Zealand is Peripatoides novaezelandiae. Up to 35 millimetres long, they are smoky blue in colour and have 15 pairs of stump-like legs.
Using this item
Soil Bugs – An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Soil Invertebrates
Reference:
43321.tif
Photograph by Alastair Robertson and Maria Minor
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Comments
We have seen peripatus at Mr
hayden lewis (not verified)
30 March 2012
We have been to Khans bush
Pearl Jeffrey (not verified)
30 March 2012
We know where the Peripatus
Donald Duncan (not verified)
30 March 2012
We are Weber Scool and we
Prince & Kerr, ... (not verified)
30 March 2012
We went Brain Hales'
Nicholas Wisenberg (not verified)
30 March 2012
Add new comment