Opisthopatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Onychophora |
Family: | Peripatopsidae |
Genus: | Opisthopatus Purcell, 1899 |
Species | |
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Opisthopatus is a genus of South African velvet worms in the family Peripatopsidae.[1][2] The number of legs in this genus range from 16 pairs (e.g., in O. cinctipes) to 18 pairs (in O. roseus).[3] Mothers in this genus give birth to live young.[4] In particular, this genus exhibits matrotrophic viviparity, that is, mothers in this genus retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta.[5]
The genus contains the following species: