The First in Over 100 Years: New Species of Velvet Worm Discovered in Ecuador

A newly discovered velvet worm species in Ecuador, the Tiputini velvet worm, showcases unique ecological and morphological characteristics, enriching the known biodiversity of the region.

Researchers have described a distinctive new species of velvet worm from Ecuador. The species, named the Tiputini velvet worm (Oroperipatus tiputini), was discovered in the lowland forests of the northern Amazon. It is the first newly described species of Ecuadorian velvet worm in over 100 years.

The velvet worm is generally nocturnal and exhibits parental care, meaning the mother takes care of her young after they are born. These animals are hunters who use a sticky substance secreted from a pair of anterior glands to trap their prey.