Speleoperipatus
Speleoperipatus is a monospecific genus of velvet worm in the family Peripatidae, containing the single species Speleoperipatus spelaeus. This species is a pale greenish yellow, almost white, with 19 to 23 pairs of legs and no eyes. Specimens range from 27 mm to 34 mm in length. The minimum number of leg pairs found in this species is also the minimum number found in the family Peripatidae. This velvet worm is viviparous, with mothers supplying nourishment to their embryos through a placenta.
Distribution and habitat
Speleoperipatus spelaeus is a troglobiont known only from two cave systems in northern St. Catherine, Jamaica; Pedro Great Cave and Swansea Cave.One other troglobitic velvet worm species is known; Peripatopsis alba, from Wynberg Cave and Bats' Cave, on Table Mountain, South Africa.