Tasmanipatus barretti gen. nov., sp. nov. and T. anophthalmus sp. nov.: two new and unusual onychophorans (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae)from northeastern Tasmania
posted on 2023-11-02, 05:15authored byH Ruthberg, R Mesibov, DA Briscoe, NN Tait
Tasmanipatusgen. nov., Peripatopsidae Bouvier 1907, is characterised by eighteen dorsalplical folds on each body segment, in combination with a unique distribution of male crural papillae and a lack of pigmentation over all or most ofrhe ventral budy surface. The type species T. barrettisp. nov. is unique in relation to its combination of I arge size, uniform, patternless colouration, and well-developed crural papillae in both sexes. Tasmanipatus sp. nov. is unusual in lacking eyes and body pigmentation. The two species occur parapatrically in a small area in northeastern Tasmania. Their diagnostic features are described here.
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Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania