The geographic distribution of Costa Rican velvet worms (Onychophora: Peripatidae)

Abstract:Velvet worms, “peripatus” or onychophorans, are “living fossils” that were geographically widespread in Cambrian seas but now occur exclusively on terrestrial habitats. The only extant species studied in some detail are those from Costa Rica, but their real geographic distribution was in urgent need of revision. To solve this problem we visited the localities mentioned in all the original taxonomic descriptions and redescriptions. These visits covered a 25 year period (1988-2014) and included interviews with local residents. We also examined all Costa Rican collections, and checked the information in old maps and books. Here we critically review geographic data, correct errors, assign neotype localities, report on the survival of populations after heavy volcanic eruptions or urbanization, and present the correct geographical distribution for the seven currently described Costa Rican species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1401-1414. Epub 2016 December 01.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barquero-González,José Pablo, Cabrera Alvarado,Adrián Alonso, Valle-Cubero,Stephanie, Monge-Nájera,Julián, Morera-Brenes,Bernal
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Costa Rica 2016
Online Access:http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-77442016000401401
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!