Extension of the northern distribution of Onychophora in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Biotemas

关键词: Onychophora;    distribution;    biodiversity conservation;    Atlantic Forest;    Neotropical region;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The Onychophora represent a rare group of invertebrates whose phylogenetic position is important in understanding the origin and evolution of the arthropods. These animals generally inhabit humid tropical forests and caves, and can vary in size from 2.5-20cm. The present study reports the occurrence of an onychophoran belonging to the genus Peripatus. The specimen was collected fortuitously in June 2007, at Mata do Açude Cafundó (07º10’49”S and 35º05’39”W), a remnant area of Atlantic Forest situated in the municipality of Cruz remnant forest area in Paraíba, extending the northern distribution of this taxon, and is only the seventh report of an onychophoran in an Atlantic Forest remnant north of the mouth of the São Francisco River. A data bank will be needed in order to adequately document the distributions, population sizes, degrees of isolation, and habitat quality of known species of onychophorans from this sector of the Atlantic Forest.

【 授权许可】

Unknown