Macroperipatus torquatus, a peripatus or velvet worm which inhabits humid areas of the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It gives birth to live young, as

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Macroperipatus torquatus, a peripatus or velvet worm which inhabits humid areas of the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It gives birth to live young, as shown here, normally in pairs, at two monthly intervals throughout a females reproductive life. The embryo develops a stalked placenta which becomes intimately associated with the uterine wall. The two arms of the uterus contain a production line of embryos. Peripatuses have soft bodies and show characteristics of both annelids and arthropods. Their diet consists of cockroaches, spiders, crickets and assorted microfauna.

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Size: 5066px × 3531px
Photo credit: © DR MORLEY READ/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, birth, epiperipatus, imthurni, invertebrate, invertebrates, nature, onychophora, onychophoran, peripatus, velvet, wildlife, worm, zoology