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Peripatoides novaezealandiae, commonly referred to as the New Zealand peripatus or ngaokeoke is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family. Peripatoides novaezealandiae is a species complex endemic to New Zealand which includes all ovoviviparous onychophora with 15 pairs of legs, 3-4 spinous pads on the limbs and 3 distal papillae at the end of the feet.

Description
Peripatopsidae in the phylum Onychophora, are found in temperate climates and have a larger body size compared to Peripatidae which are found in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Body segments on Peripatopsidae are not visible externally, with each segment containing a pair of stumpy legs along the length of the body. P. novaezealandiae has 15 pairs of legs with 3-4 spinous pads on the underside of each leg and 3 distal papillae on each foot. P. novaezealandiae vary in length and can grow up to 12 cm long, with females being larger and more variable in length and weight. Females can weigh 47-63% more and be almost 30% longer than males, reaching maturity between 80-95 milligrams in body weight while males reach maturity between 40-60 milligrams in body weight. Genital pores in P. novaezealandiae are pale grey-white in colour with male genital pores being circular, wrinkled and usually accompanied with converging orange coloured anal papillae and female genital pores are circular, swollen and lipped, without orange coloured anal papillae. Unlike most other Onychophoran species, males do not possess crural glands.

Colour in P. novaezealandiae varies depending on the species within the Peripatoides novaezealandiae complex. Pigmentation of the epidermal papillae produce unique lateral stripes and patterns; these papillae protrude from the cuticle giving off a velvety texture with shades ranging from brown to purple-black and with orange spots. A key characteristic of species in the Peripatoides novaezealandiae complex is a dark base colour and a bulge of orange-coloured papillae that is placed in the latero-ventral area relative to the eyes.

P. novaezealandiae are nocturnal creatures which are most active in the warmer months and can hibernate over winter in colder parts of New Zealand. P. novaezealandiae has small eyes which predominantly detect light to recognise day and night. Due to poor sight they rely on touch to enable their mobility with the epidermal papillae containing sensory spines. Short antennae with receptors function via water evaporation which mediate movement towards dry environments and humidity receptors along the body to mediate movement towards wet environments. Their respiration process through pores on the skin mean they can dry out easily because these pores cannot close. P. novaezealandiae need cool, damp and humid environments to survive and must avoid environments that are too wet causing them to drown. Ideal habitats are within and beneath rotting logs, stones and organic debris. P. novaezealandiae ambush prey at night; although they are known to hunt in the daytime if hungry. They immobilise and entangle their prey with jets of a sticky paralytic slime ejected from oral papillae. Then bite and inject the prey with digestive saliva to suck out the liquified body tissue.

Distribution
P. novaezealandiae is endemic and the most widespread Onychophoran species throughout New Zealand. They are found in most regions of the North and South Islands and many of the offshore islands - Stewart Island, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Birch Island. However, are not found on the Chatham or subantarctic islands. They are a forest floor species found in the forested areas of New Zealand. Most abundant in moist, shady and cool areas within rotting logs, plant matter and debris; but can be found in hillsides, gardens, scrub and pasture.

Life cycle
P. novaezealandiae is an ovoviviparous species meaning mothers bear live young; eggs develop and hatch inside the mother's body. Females have two uteri which can develop multiple embryos of different stages simultaneously. P. novaezealandiae has a dermal-haemocoelic sperm transfer process where males place spermatophores (sperm packages) internally or on the female's cuticle. The spermatophores then dissolve and are absorbed; females can store this sperm for several years and can mate frequently throughout their life. Approximately 10-20 offspring can be produced per year with a lifespan of 5-7 years for both male and female, reaching maturity at around 1 year of age. However due to competition among males after sperm transfer, males benefit from maturing as early as possible, enabling them to produce large amounts of sperm and mate multiple times. Eggs are large and yolked with a gestation period of 6-8 months, but unlike other species of Onychophora, P. novaezealandiae does not form a placenta. The average broodsize in P. novaezealandiae is 12, and can reach up to 28. Before birth, offspring shed their exoskeleton. After birth, offspring can survive on their own; they are covered with a white-silvery sheen and resemble small adults, except the sensory spines of the papillae are exposed. In order to grow, individuals continue to moult their exoskeleton every few weeks throughout their life.

Interactions
As a carnivorous invertebrate, P. novaezealandiae feeds on soil and litter arthropods such as spiders, termites, beetle larvae and crickets.

Due to their dark colour, nocturnal activity and unpalatable substance, they are largely able to avoid predation by other native invertebrates, bats and lizards, although are eaten by weka (Gallirallus australis) and robins (Petroica australis longipes). They are at more risk of predation from introduced species of birds, wasps, rodents and hedgehogs. P. novaezealandiae are prone to skin scratches which can lead to mild bacterial infections and are not overly prone to toxins or pathogens under high stress. However due to their sensitive skin there is potential for a Chytrid-like fungus to affect P. novaezealandiae.

P. novaezealandiae are most commonly found as individuals. There are some observations of P. novaezealandiae sheltering and feeding in groups. These colonies are predominantly of mixed age, although some nursery and all adult groups have been found.

Further information
Velvet worms are often referred to as 'living fossils' because they remain unchanged from 500 million years ago and are known as the missing link between worms and insects. P. novaezealandiae populations are threatened by habitat loss from deforestation, agriculture, forestry and removal of logs for fires. It is estimated that a log needs 45 years of decay for this species to form large populations.