''Ooperipatus centunculus'' is a species of

velvet worm Onychophora (from grc, ονυχής, , "claws"; and , , "to carry"), commonly known as velvet worms (due to their velvety texture and somewhat wormlike appearance) or more ambiguously as peripatus (after the first described genus, '' Peripatus ...

in the

Peripatopsidae Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families. Description The Peripatopsidae exhibit relatively many characteristics that are perceived as original or "primitive" with respect to the Peripatidae. The number of leg pairs in this ...

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Taxonomy

''Ooperipatus centunculus'' was described by

Reid Reid is a surname of Scottish origin. It means "red". People with the surname * Alan Reid (disambiguation) * Alex Reid (disambiguation), includes Alexander Reid * Amanda Reid, Australian Paralympic athlete * Amanda Reid (taxonomist), Australia ...

in 1996, from specimens collected on

Mount Donna Buang Mount Donna Buang is a mountain in the southern reaches of the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, located in the Australian state of Victoria. Approximately from Melbourne with an elevation of , Mount Donna Buang is the closest snowf ...

Victoria, Australia Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a land area of , the second most populated state (after New South Wales) with a population of over 6.5 million, and the most densely populated state in ...

. The specific name ''centunculus'' means cloth of many colours, and refers to this species' striking and variable colouration.

Description

Dorsal colouration is variable and may be tan, greyish blue, olive green, or umber brown. A series of pale diamonds extend across the midline, often surrounded by a darker border. The ventral surface is mottled tan and dark grey. Males have a mean body length of approximately 125 mm; females 145 mm. This species has 15 pairs of legs in both sexes. The species has been found in coiled ''

Eucalyptus ''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, including '' Corymbia'', they are commonly known as e ...

'' bark and ''

Lophozonia cunninghamii ''Nothofagus cunninghamii,'' commonly known as myrtle beech or Tasmanian myrtle, is the dominant species of cool temperate rainforests in Tasmania and Southern Victoria. It has low fire resistance and grows best in partial shade conditions. It ...

'' litter. Individuals usually remain flat when disturbed and do not coil.

References

Onychophorans of Australasia Onychophoran species Animals described in 1996 {{Onychophora-stub