''Peripatopsis alba'', the white cave velvet worm, is a species of velvet worm in the family Peripatopsidae. This species has 18 pairs of legs, with the last pair reduced, and no eyes.

Distribution and habitat

''Peripatopsis alba'' is a

troglobiont Troglofauna are small cave-dwelling animals that have adapted to their dark surroundings. Troglofauna and stygofauna are the two types of subterranean fauna (based on life-history). Both are associated with subterranean environments – troglofau ...

known only from two cave systems on Table Mountain, South Africa; Wynberg Cave and Bats Cave. One other troglobitic velvet worm species is known; ''

Speleoperipatus spelaeus ''Speleoperipatus'' is a monospecific genus of Onychophora, velvet worm in the Peripatidae family, containing the single species ''Speleoperipatus spelaeus''. This species is a pale greenish yellow, almost white, with 22 or 23 pairs of legs and n ...

'', from Pedro Cave and

Swansea Cave Swansea Cave is a cave and palaeontological site in the Saint Catherine Parish of south-eastern Jamaica. Description The site lies on private land in the Worthy Park district at an altitude of 385 m above sea level and is surrounded by fores ...

, Jamaica.

Conservation

It is listed as

Vulnerable Vulnerable may refer to: General * Vulnerability * Vulnerability (computing) * Vulnerable adult * Vulnerable species Music Albums * ''Vulnerable'' (Marvin Gaye album), 1997 * ''Vulnerable'' (Tricky album), 2003 * ''Vulnerable'' (The Used album) ...

on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted distribution and the potential occurrence of human collection and disturbance.

References

Animals described in 1931 Blind onychophorans Endemic fauna of South Africa IUCN-assessed onychophorans Onychophorans of temperate Africa Onychophoran species Troglobitic onychophorans {{Onychophora-stub