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Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) from New Zealand - observations on selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex' in culture : morphological and reproductive aspects

2003; Pensoft Publishers; Volume: 44; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

2305-2562

Birgit Pripnow, Hilke Ruhberg,

Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology

This study was undertaken in order to obtain more data on the life history of Onychophora under laboratory conditions, and to help distinguish selected morphs of the 'Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex'. Morphs of the 'P. novaezealandiae-complex' were observed in culture, and on the basis of live specimens, a preliminary key was developed for the identification of six different morpho types. These can be distinguished by the following characters : colour and shape of the genital aperture, converging or nonconverging ventral anal papillae, presence or absence of two orange-coloured 'ocular' papillae, and the shape of the nephropore on the 4th and the 5th legs. Data from adults of six morphs and from 41 offspring of four morphs were recorded and illustrated in order to facilitate future taxonomic research. Supplementary information on juveniles was due to observations of 27 individuals from two additional morphs. The females, probably iteroparous seasonal breeders, gave birth after 17 to 24 months in captivity. They appeared to be able to defer release of embryos or to fertilise eggs with stored sperm. Morphs could be distinguished by the different duration of their reproductive periods. Based on changes in pigmentation and on the brightness of the integument in new born animals, three stages were distinguished : stage I, glistening neonates with varying degrees of pigmentation; stage II, juveniles with stronger pigmentation, but without lustre; stage III, fully pigmented juveniles. The degree of pigmentation is found to correlate with the morpho type. Moreover, the shape and the morphology of the anal cone in morphs aged two and five months can be used to distinguish gender.