Euperipatoides rowelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Euperipatoides rowelli |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Euonychophora
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| Family: |
Peripatopsidae
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| Genus: |
Euperipatoides
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| Species: |
E. rowelli
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| Binomial name | |
| Euperipatoides rowelli Reid, 1996
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Euperipatoides rowelli is a fascinating type of velvet worm. It belongs to the Peripatopsidae family. This creature is special because it is ovoviviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young, much like some mammals. You can find Euperipatoides rowelli living in parts of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.
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What it Looks Like
Like other velvet worms in its group, Euperipatoides rowelli is usually a dark grayish-blue color. Adult velvet worms are about 3 to 5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) long. Female velvet worms are often a bit bigger than the males.
This species has special rows of tiny bristles on its antennae. These bristles are found on rings 4, 6, 9, and 12 of its antennae. Other velvet worms in its group only have these bristles on the last two or four rings of their antennae.
Where it Lives and What it Does
You can find Euperipatoides rowelli in damp, mild forests in southeastern Australia. They mostly live inside rotting logs on the forest floor. They hide in the cracks and spaces within the wood.
What it Eats
Euperipatoides rowelli is a predator. It hunts and eats small invertebrates, which are creatures without backbones. Its favorite foods include termites and crickets.
Social Life
These velvet worms are rarely found alone. They usually live in small groups that include females, males, and young velvet worms. Scientists have watched them in labs and found that these groups might have a kind of pecking order, with dominant females in charge.
When a new log becomes available, male velvet worms are usually the first to explore it. These males release special chemicals called pheromones. These pheromones attract more males, and then females follow. Scientists think that males are attracted to other males because having more males in one spot helps attract even more females.
Why it's Important to Science
Euperipatoides rowelli is quite common in its natural home. Because of this, it is becoming a very important animal for scientists to study. It is known as a "model organism."
Scientists use E. rowelli to learn more about animal behavior and how creatures interact with their environment (ecology). They also study its genes to understand how animals have changed over time (evolution). Velvet worms are closely related to arthropods, which include insects and spiders. By studying Euperipatoides rowelli, scientists can gain a better understanding of how all animals, especially arthropods, have evolved.
