  Onychophorans, or velvet worms, are poorly known and rare animals. Here we
report the discovery of a new species that is also the largest onychophoran
found so far, a 22cm long female from the Caribbean coastal forest of Costa
Rica. Specimens were examined with Scanning Electron Microscopy; Peripatus
solorzanoi sp. nov., is diagnosed as follows: primary papillae convex and
conical with rounded bases, with more than 18 scale ranks. Apical section
large, spherical, with a basal diameter of at least 20 ranks. Apical piece with
6-7 scale ranks. Outer blade 1 principal tooth, 1 accessory tooth, 1 vestigial
accessory tooth (formula: 1/1/1); inner blade 1 principal tooth, 1 accessory
tooth, 1 rudimentary accessory tooth, 9 to 10 denticles (formula: 1/1/1/9-10).
Accessory tooth blunt in both blades. Four pads in the fourth and fifth
oncopods; 4th. pad arched. The previously unknown mechanism by which
onychophorans weave their adhesive is simple: muscular action produces a
swinging movement of the adhesive-spelling organs; as a result, the streams
cross in mid air, weaving the net. Like all onychophorans, P. solorzanoi is a
rare species: active protection of the habitat of the largest onychophoran ever
described, is considered urgent.
