Abstract
Velvet worms, fragile invertebrates from an ancient lineage, are prone to extinction because of their small populations, low vagility and limited geographic ranges. However, I found that 19 species, nearly all of them Latin American and Caribbean peripatids, have been reported from heavily urbanized areas. Onychophoran worms lack most of the characteristics of successful urban animals, but I hypothesize that they survive in cities because diet and undetectability favor them. Citizen scientists could help with the urgent need of learning more about urban onychophorans.
Highlights
Resumen: Gusanos de ciudad (Onychophora): ¿por qué invertebrados frágiles de un linaje antiguo viven en áreas fuertemente urbanizadas? Los gusanos de terciopelo, invertebrados frágiles de un linaje antiguo, son muy susceptibles a la extinción por sus pequeñas poblaciones, escasa movilidad y pequeños ámbitos geográficos
Onychophoran worms lack most of the characteristics of successful urban animals, but I hypothesize that they survive in cities because diet and undetectability favor them
Some onychophoran species have been reported from heavily urbanized areas, for example Epiperipatus isthmicola from San José, Costa Rica (Barquero et al, 2016), but to my knowledge the subject has not been reviewed
Summary
Resumen: Gusanos de ciudad (Onychophora): ¿por qué invertebrados frágiles de un linaje antiguo viven en áreas fuertemente urbanizadas? Los gusanos de terciopelo, invertebrados frágiles de un linaje antiguo, son muy susceptibles a la extinción por sus pequeñas poblaciones, escasa movilidad y pequeños ámbitos geográficos. ABSTRACT: Velvet worms, fragile invertebrates from an ancient lineage, are prone to extinction because of their small populations, low vagility and limited geographic ranges. I found that 19 species, most of them Latin American and Caribbean peripatids, have been reported from heavily urbanized areas.
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