PMID: 19928455Nov 26, 2009Paper

Velvet worm taxonomy from Santander, Colombia and thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy of the adhesive secretion (Onychophora: Peripatidae)

Revista de biología tropical
Javier H Jerez-Jaimes, M Catalina Bernal-Pérez

Abstract

Onychophoran worms are terrestrial organisms that have changed relatively little since the mid-Cambrian. We collected Macroperipatus geagy in coffee plantations at "Hacienda El Roble", Santander, Colombia, and here redescribe the species based on 15 individuals. A digital three-dimensional reconstruction of the ventral side of the body indicates that the primary and accessory papillae lack a defined distribution pattern. Diagnostic characters: one main tooth and one accessory tooth in the outer jaw, and one main tooth, one accessory tooth and seven denticles in the internal jaw. length (X=45.66 mm; SD=26.10), weight (X=0.95 g; SD=2.21) and number of lobopods (X=28.13 pairs; SD=1.30). We present a taxonomic key for six species of Macroperipatus. The liquid adhesive secretion lost 60% of the initial weight at 70 degrees C (solid: 13% close to 90 degrees C). The stability phase of the liquid secretion was within 90-280 degrees C (100 degrees C - 205 degrees C in the solid secretion). The starting degradation temperature of the sample was 355 degrees C. Heat flow changes in the solid and liquid secretions were confirmed by the sample behavior during thermogravimetric analysis. The percentage of beta sheets calculated by infrared sp...Continue Reading

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