Opisthopatus roseus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Onychophora |
Class: | Udeonychophora |
Order: | Euonychophora |
Family: | Peripatopsidae |
Genus: | Opisthopatus |
Species: | O. roseus |
Binomial name | |
Opisthopatus roseus Lawrence, 1947 |
The pink velvet worm (Opisthopatus roseus) is a species of velvet worm in the Peripatopsidae family.
It is known only from Weza Forest, a Mistbelt Forest in South Africa. Opisthopatus roseus has been found on the forest floor amongst leaf litter, beneath, and within fallen logs. The species was previously considered extinct but is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss and degradation are thought to be the cause of the species' decline.