Opisthopatus is a genus of South African velvet worms in the family Peripatopsidae. Velvet worms in this genus are found in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga provinces, as well as in Lesotho and Eswatini. This genus was first proposed in 1899 by the zoologist William F. Purcell to contain the newly discovered species O. cinctipes, which he designated as the type species.
Description Color is highly variable in this genus, both among and within species. The dorsal integument ranges from blue black to slate grey or brown, and the ventral integument ranges from creamy white to brown. The number of legs in this genus range from 16 pairs (e.g., in O. cinctipes) to 18 pairs (in O. roseus). Velvet worms in this genus use the last pair of legs in walking. This leg pair is fully developed, with claws and four pads on each foot. The feet in this genus feature three distal leg papillae: one anterior, one posterior, and one median. The genital opening is located between the last pair of legs. The male genitalia feature a cruciform opening and four pads; the female genitalia feature a longitudinal opening.
Reproduction Mothers in this genus give birth to live young. In particular, this genus exhibits matrotrophic viviparity, that is, mothers in this genus retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta. The young are born tail first, one or two at a time. The young resemble adults in form but are smaller.
Species The genus contains the following species:
Opisthopatus amatolensis Choonoo, 1947 Opisthopatus amaxhosa Daniels et al., 2016 Opisthopatus baziya Barnes & Daniels, 2022 Opisthopatus camdebooi Barnes & Daniels, 2022 Opisthopatus cinctipes Purcell, 1899 Opisthopatus drakensbergi Daniels et al., 2016 Opisthopatus herbertorum Ruhberg & Hamer, 2005 Opisthopatus highveldi Daniels et al., 2016 Opisthopatus kwazululandi Daniels et al., 2016 Opisthopatus laevis Lawrence, 1947 Opisthopatus natalensis Bouvier, 1900 Opisthopatus roseus Lawrence, 1947, the pink velvet worm Opisthopatus swatii Daniels et al., 2016
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