The relationship between humidity, light and the activity pattern of a velvet worm, Epiperipatus sp. (Onychophora: Peripatidae), from Bahía Drake, South Pacific of Costa Rica

Abstract Even though the Onychophora represent a whole phylum, observations of their activity pattern in nature are almost non-existent. Here we report on the relationship between humidity and light and activity pattern of a new species of velvet worm, genus Epiperipatus, from four years of field observations in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. We found that most activity occurs during the driest and darkest nights of the year, in contrast with theoretical predictions.

Resumo Onychophora constituem um filo de animais. Não obstante, as observações do comportamento sazonal das espécies de peripatos na natureza são praticamente inexistentes. Com base em quatro anos de observações em campo, nós demostramos a relação entre umidade e luz, e padrão de atividade diária de uma nova espécie no gênero Epiperipatus, do Pacífico Sul da Costa Rica. Descobrimos que a maioria das atividades ocorre durante as noites mais secas e mais escuras do ano, em total contraste com as previsões teóricas.

The relationship between humidity, light and the activity pattern of a velvet worm, Epiperipatus sp. (Onychophora: Peripatidae), from Bahía Drake, South Pacific of Costa Rica / A relação entre a humidade, luz e o padrão de atividade de um peripato, Epiperipatus sp. (Onychophora: Peripatidae), de Bahia Drake, Pacífico Sul da Costa Rica

Even though the Onychophora represent a whole phylum, observations of their activity pattern in nature are almost non-existent. Here we report on the relationship between humidity and light and activity pattern of a new species of velvet worm, genus Epiperipatus, from four years of field observations in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. We found that most activity occurs during the driest and darkest nights of the year, in contrast with theoretical predictions.(AU)

Onychophora constituem um filo de animais. Não obstante, as observações do comportamento sazonal das espécies de peripatos na natureza são praticamente inexistentes. Com base em quatro anos de observações em campo, nós demostramos a relação entre umidade e luz, e padrão de atividade diária de uma nova espécie no gênero Epiperipatus, do Pacífico Sul da Costa Rica. Descobrimos que a maioria das atividades ocorre durante as noites mais secas e mais escuras do ano, em total contraste com as previsões teóricas.(AU)

Redescription of Epiperipatus edwardsii, and descriptions of five new species of Epiperipatus from Brazil (Onychophora: Peripatidae)

Epiperipatus edwardsii (Blanchard, 1847) is redescribed based on fresh material collected near the type locality. Additionally, five new species of velvet worms of the genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 from Brazil are described: Epiperipatus hyperbolicus sp. nov., Epiperipatus lucerna sp. nov., Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. (Holotypes deposited in MNRJ: Murici, Alagoas State), Epiperipatus beckeri sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in MNRJ: Camacan, Bahia State) and Epiperipatus marajoara sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZUSP: Breves, Marajó island, Pará State). The peculiar shape of the primary papillae (artichoke-like) of E. titanicus sp. nov. and E. beckerisp. nov. is documented for the first time. Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. has the largest number of pairs of oncopods (38 for males and 39 for females) among the Brazilian Onychophora. We also provide an identification key for Brazilian species of Epiperipatus.

Redescription of Epiperipatus edwardsii, and descriptions of five new species of Epiperipatus from Brazil (Onychophora: Peripatidae)

Epiperipatus edwardsii (Blanchard, 1847) is redescribed based on fresh material collected near the type locality. Additionally, five new species of velvet worms of the genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 from Brazil are described: Epiperipatus hyperbolicus sp. nov., Epiperipatus lucerna sp. nov., Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. (Holotypes deposited in MNRJ: Murici, Alagoas State), Epiperipatus beckeri sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in MNRJ: Camacan, Bahia State) and Epiperipatus marajoara sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZUSP: Breves, Marajó island, Pará State). The peculiar shape of the primary papillae (artichoke-like) of E. titanicus sp. nov. and E. beckerisp. nov. is documented for the first time. Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. has the largest number of pairs of oncopods (38 for males and 39 for females) among the Brazilian Onychophora. We also provide an identification key for Brazilian species of Epiperipatus.(AU)

The relationship between humidity, light and the activity pattern of a velvet worm, Epiperipatus sp. (Onychophora: Peripatidae), from Bahía Drake, South Pacific of Costa Rica

Abstract Even though the Onychophora represent a whole phylum, observations of their activity pattern in nature are almost non-existent. Here we report on the relationship between humidity and light and activity pattern of a new species of velvet worm, genus Epiperipatus, from four years of field observations in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. We found that most activity occurs during the driest and darkest nights of the year, in contrast with theoretical predictions.

Resumo Onychophora constituem um filo de animais. Não obstante, as observações do comportamento sazonal das espécies de peripatos na natureza são praticamente inexistentes. Com base em quatro anos de observações em campo, nós demostramos a relação entre umidade e luz, e padrão de atividade diária de uma nova espécie no gênero Epiperipatus, do Pacífico Sul da Costa Rica. Descobrimos que a maioria das atividades ocorre durante as noites mais secas e mais escuras do ano, em total contraste com as previsões teóricas.

Extensão da distribuição de Macroperipatus sp. (Onychophora, Peripatidae) no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Extension of distribution Macroperipatus sp. (Onychophora, Peripatidae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Onychophora is a very rare group of terrestrial invertebrates, gathering about 197 described species, rather irregular distribution around the world. In 2008 he was accidentally collected a specimen in the woods of Municipal Park Lajinha, municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is located southwest of the central region of the city, with a secondary forest fragment, remnant Forest Atlantic. The specimen was identified as belonging to the genus Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 (Peripatidae). The report of this new occurrence in the state of Minas Gerais extends the distribution range of the group.

Onychophora constitui um grupo raro de invertebrados terrestres, reunindo 197 espécies descritas, de distribuição bastante irregular ao redor do mundo. Em 2008 foi coletado casualmente um exemplar de onicóforo na mata do Parque Municipal da Lajinha, no município de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil, que está localizado a sudoeste da região central da cidade, com um fragmento florestal secundário, remanescente da Mata Atlântica. O exemplar foi identificado como pertencente ao gênero Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 (Peripatidae). O registro dessa nova ocorrência no estado de Minas Gerais amplia a área de distribuição do grupo.

Extensão da distribuição de Macroperipatus sp. (Onychophora, Peripatidae) no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Extension of distribution Macroperipatus sp. (Onychophora, Peripatidae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Onychophora is a very rare group of terrestrial invertebrates, gathering about 197 described species, rather irregular distribution around the world. In 2008 he was accidentally collected a specimen in the woods of Municipal Park Lajinha, municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is located southwest of the central region of the city, with a secondary forest fragment, remnant Forest Atlantic. The specimen was identified as belonging to the genus Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 (Peripatidae). The report of this new occurrence in the state of Minas Gerais extends the distribution range of the group.(AU)

Onychophora constitui um grupo raro de invertebrados terrestres, reunindo 197 espécies descritas, de distribuição bastante irregular ao redor do mundo. Em 2008 foi coletado casualmente um exemplar de onicóforo na mata do Parque Municipal da Lajinha, no município de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil, que está localizado a sudoeste da região central da cidade, com um fragmento florestal secundário, remanescente da Mata Atlântica. O exemplar foi identificado como pertencente ao gênero Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 (Peripatidae). O registro dessa nova ocorrência no estado de Minas Gerais amplia a área de distribuição do grupo.(AU)

Cuatro nuevas especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora (Diptera, Drosophilidae) en el Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, Pichincha, Ecuador

Las especies de los subgéneros Phloridosa y Drosophila (este último en relación con los grupos de especies: D. flavopilosa, D. onychophora y D. bromeliae) son especies de Drosophila que se desarrollan únicamente en flores. El grupo D. onychophora fue propuestopara agrupar a especies exclusivamente antófilas. El grupo D. onychophora está integrado por 18 especies, que se encuentran relacionadas con las flores de Asteraceae. En el Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador, se realizaron capturas de Drosophila, en los meses de febrero, mayo, julio, septiembre y diciembre del 2009. Las especies fueron recolectadas directamente en las flores con un aspirador entomológico. En total se capturaron 427 individuos de Drosophila y se identificaron 11 especies, de las cuales seis son nuevas especies del grupo D. onychophora y una es un nuevo registro para el Ecuador. En este trabajo se describen cuatro de las seis especies nuevas.

The species of the subgenera Phloridosa and Drosophila (in this last one, regarding the Drosophila species groups: D. flavopilosa, D. onychophora and D. bromeliae) are species of Drosophila that developed only in flowers. The group D. onychophora was proposed to bring together exclusively antophilic species. The former group is composed by 18 species, and is associated to flowers of Asteraceae. Captures were made in the Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, Pichincha, Ecuador, during February, May, July, September and December of 2009. The species were collected directly from flowers with an insect aspirator. A total of 427 individuals from Drosophila were captured. We identified 11 species, of which six are new species of the D. onychophora species group and one is a new record for Ecuador. In this paper we describe four of the six new species.

Cuatro nuevas especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora (Diptera, Drosophilidae) en el Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, Pichincha, Ecuador

Las especies de los subgéneros Phloridosa y Drosophila (este último en relación con los grupos de especies: D. flavopilosa, D. onychophora y D. bromeliae) son especies de Drosophila que se desarrollan únicamente en flores. El grupo D. onychophora fue propuestopara agrupar a especies exclusivamente antófilas. El grupo D. onychophora está integrado por 18 especies, que se encuentran relacionadas con las flores de Asteraceae. En el Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador, se realizaron capturas de Drosophila, en los meses de febrero, mayo, julio, septiembre y diciembre del 2009. Las especies fueron recolectadas directamente en las flores con un aspirador entomológico. En total se capturaron 427 individuos de Drosophila y se identificaron 11 especies, de las cuales seis son nuevas especies del grupo D. onychophora y una es un nuevo registro para el Ecuador. En este trabajo se describen cuatro de las seis especies nuevas.

The species of the subgenera Phloridosa and Drosophila (in this last one, regarding the Drosophila species groups: D. flavopilosa, D. onychophora and D. bromeliae) are species of Drosophila that developed only in flowers. The group D. onychophora was proposed to bring together exclusively antophilic species. The former group is composed by 18 species, and is associated to flowers of Asteraceae. Captures were made in the Parque Arqueológico Rumipamba, Pichincha, Ecuador, during February, May, July, September and December of 2009. The species were collected directly from flowers with an insect aspirator. A total of 427 individuals from Drosophila were captured. We identified 11 species, of which six are new species of the D. onychophora species group and one is a new record for Ecuador. In this paper we describe four of the six new species.

Grupo Drosophila asiri (Diptera, Drosophilidae), un nuevo grupo de especies andinas con la descripción de dos nuevas especies y la redescripción de Drosophila asiri

El nuevo grupo Drosophila asiri pertenece al subgénero Drosophila. Los ejemplares fueron capturados en los bosques andinos del Ecuador, desde los 3200 hasta los 4000 m de altitud. A este grupo pertenecen Drosophila (D.) asiri Vela & Rafael, 2005 previamente ubicada dentro del grupo D. onychophora, y dos nuevas especies; Drosophila (D.) yuragyacum sp. nov. y Drosophila (D.) yanaurcus sp. nov. Las capturas se realizaron en el bosque protector Pasochoa, en la quebrada de Cruz Loma y en el páramo de Papallacta, utilizando cebo de banano y levadura. Los miembros del nuevo grupo por el momento son endémicos de los Andes ecuatorianos. Las tres especies del grupo D. asiri son moscas de tamaño grande (aproximadamente 6 mm). Los machos presentan el edeago quitinizado con dos proyecciones laterales en la cabeza a manera de cuernos muy quitinizados. Estas características diferencian a las especies del grupo D. asiri de otros grupos dentro de Drosophila.

The Drosophila asiri group is a new group of species in the subgenus Drosophila. The specimens were captured in the highlands of Ecuador from 3200 m to 4000 m above sea level. This group includes Drosophila (D.) asiri Vela & Rafael, 2005, that was previously described within the D. onychophora species group, and two new species, Drosophila (D.) yuragyacum sp. nov. and Drosophila (D.) yanaurcus sp. nov. These species were captured using banana and yeast bait, in bosque protector Pasochoa, in the quebrada de Cruz Loma and in páramo de Papallacta. The members of the D. asiri species group appear to be endemic to the Ecuadorian Andes. All three species of the D. asiri group are large flies (about 6 mm). Males have a sclerotized aedeagus with two well sclerotized lateral projections in the shape of horns. These characteristics distinguish members of this species group from other groups within Drosophila.

Grupo Drosophila asiri (Diptera, Drosophilidae), un nuevo grupo de especies andinas con la descripción de dos nuevas especies y la redescripción de Drosophila asiri

El nuevo grupo Drosophila asiri pertenece al subgénero Drosophila. Los ejemplares fueron capturados en los bosques andinos del Ecuador, desde los 3200 hasta los 4000 m de altitud. A este grupo pertenecen Drosophila (D.) asiri Vela & Rafael, 2005 previamente ubicada dentro del grupo D. onychophora, y dos nuevas especies; Drosophila (D.) yuragyacum sp. nov. y Drosophila (D.) yanaurcus sp. nov. Las capturas se realizaron en el bosque protector Pasochoa, en la quebrada de Cruz Loma y en el páramo de Papallacta, utilizando cebo de banano y levadura. Los miembros del nuevo grupo por el momento son endémicos de los Andes ecuatorianos. Las tres especies del grupo D. asiri son moscas de tamaño grande (aproximadamente 6 mm). Los machos presentan el edeago quitinizado con dos proyecciones laterales en la cabeza a manera de cuernos muy quitinizados. Estas características diferencian a las especies del grupo D. asiri de otros grupos dentro de Drosophila.

The Drosophila asiri group is a new group of species in the subgenus Drosophila. The specimens were captured in the highlands of Ecuador from 3200 m to 4000 m above sea level. This group includes Drosophila (D.) asiri Vela & Rafael, 2005, that was previously described within the D. onychophora species group, and two new species, Drosophila (D.) yuragyacum sp. nov. and Drosophila (D.) yanaurcus sp. nov. These species were captured using banana and yeast bait, in bosque protector Pasochoa, in the quebrada de Cruz Loma and in páramo de Papallacta. The members of the D. asiri species group appear to be endemic to the Ecuadorian Andes. All three species of the D. asiri group are large flies (about 6 mm). Males have a sclerotized aedeagus with two well sclerotized lateral projections in the shape of horns. These characteristics distinguish members of this species group from other groups within Drosophila.

Dos nuevas especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora (Diptera, Drosophilidae) en los bosques de Polylepis de Papallacta, Pichincha, Ecuador

A pesar de ser un país relativamente pequeño, Ecuador tiene una gran variedad de ecosistemas que han favorecido altos niveles de especiación. Uno de estos ecosistemas es el bosque de Polylepis. En estos bosques existe una gran diversidad de plantas, como las asteráceas (compuestas), cuyas flores hospedan una plétora de insectos, entre los que se encuentran las especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora. En este estudio, describimos dos nuevas especies de Drosophila recolectadas en un parche de bosque de Polylepis pauta en el Páramo de Papallacta a 4000 msnm. Ambas especies pertenecen al grupo D. onychophora: Drosophila yurag sp. nov. y Drosophila yuragshina sp. nov. Las dos especies presentan edeagos alargados, este carácter es propio de especies del grupo. Morfológicamente ambas especies son muy parecidas, la manera más fácil de distinguirlas consiste en la observación de las alas.

Despite being a relatively small country, Ecuador has a variety of ecosystems that has favored high speciation levels. One of these ecosystems is the high-altitude Polylepis forests. In these forests, there is great plant diversity including Asteraceae, which host a plethora of insects in their flowers, among which one can find species from the Drosophila onychophora species group. In this study, we describe two new species of Drosophila collected in a remnant of Polylepis pauta in the Páramo of Papallacta at 4000 m. Both species belong to the D. onychophora group: Drosophila yurag sp. nov. and Drosophila yuragshina sp. nov. The two species have elongated aedeagus that are typical of the group. Morphologically both species are very similar; the easiest way to distinguish them is by observing their wings.

Dos nuevas especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora (Diptera, Drosophilidae) en los bosques de Polylepis de Papallacta, Pichincha, Ecuador

A pesar de ser un país relativamente pequeño, Ecuador tiene una gran variedad de ecosistemas que han favorecido altos niveles de especiación. Uno de estos ecosistemas es el bosque de Polylepis. En estos bosques existe una gran diversidad de plantas, como las asteráceas (compuestas), cuyas flores hospedan una plétora de insectos, entre los que se encuentran las especies del grupo Drosophila onychophora. En este estudio, describimos dos nuevas especies de Drosophila recolectadas en un parche de bosque de Polylepis pauta en el Páramo de Papallacta a 4000 msnm. Ambas especies pertenecen al grupo D. onychophora: Drosophila yurag sp. nov. y Drosophila yuragshina sp. nov. Las dos especies presentan edeagos alargados, este carácter es propio de especies del grupo. Morfológicamente ambas especies son muy parecidas, la manera más fácil de distinguirlas consiste en la observación de las alas.

Despite being a relatively small country, Ecuador has a variety of ecosystems that has favored high speciation levels. One of these ecosystems is the high-altitude Polylepis forests. In these forests, there is great plant diversity including Asteraceae, which host a plethora of insects in their flowers, among which one can find species from the Drosophila onychophora species group. In this study, we describe two new species of Drosophila collected in a remnant of Polylepis pauta in the Páramo of Papallacta at 4000 m. Both species belong to the D. onychophora group: Drosophila yurag sp. nov. and Drosophila yuragshina sp. nov. The two species have elongated aedeagus that are typical of the group. Morphologically both species are very similar; the easiest way to distinguish them is by observing their wings.

Brazilian species of Onychophora with notes on their taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

Brazilian species of Onychophora with notes on their taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

Brazilian species of Onychophora with notes on their taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

Brazilian species of Onychophora with notes on their taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

Brazilian species of Onychophora with notes on their taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.