Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families.[1][2]
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 range from as few as 13 (in Ooperipatellus nanus[3]) to as many as 29 (in Paraperipatus papuensis[4][5]).[6][7] Behind or between the last leg pair is the genital opening (gonopore).[6] Both oviparous and ovoviviparous, as well as genuinely viviparous, species exist, although the Peripatopsidae essentially lack a placenta.
The distribution of the Peripatopsidae is circumaustral; in particular, they inhabit Australasia, South Africa and Chile.[8]
The family contains the following genera:[9]
Peripatopsidae is one of the two living velvet worm families.
