The Distribution of Onychophora in New Guinea and Neighboring Islands

Just half a century has elapsed since the presence of Onychophora in the Papuan area was first recognized. In 1898 Willey described Peripatus nova-britannice from New Britain and since then eight others have been added from New Guinea and other adjacent islands. All of these belong to the genus Paraperipatus, but as in the dominant neotropical genera Peripatus and Macroperipatus, the species are closely similar. However, as they show recognizable and apparently constant structural differences they must be accorded specific or at least subspecific rank. I n 1931 Leloup proposed a new name for the whole group of Papuan species, which he designated as Paraperipatus leopoldi as a patriotic gesture to the Belgian king. This nomenclatorial faux pas was first noticed publicly by Brongermsa ( '32) who placed P. leopoldi as a synonym of P. papuensis Sedgwick. The latter is the first species described from New Guinea and furthermore the types came from the Arfak mountain range not far from the locality where Leloup's types were obtained. However, if several species are recognized this synonomy must remain doubtful. During his stay as a military officer in New Guinea, Dr. P. J. Darlington of the Museum of Comparative Zoology collected three specimens of Paraperipatus in the Bismarck range of the central mountain system near latitude 145' E. They were taken at two elevations on Mount Wilhelm which rises to a height of 15,400 feet, first a t an altitude of 8000 ft. in the forest below timberline and again, in moss, at 10,000 ft. which is above timber-line. This is not very far from the type locality of P. Zorentsi. There are two males, each with 21 pairs of legs and a single female with 22 pairs of legs. I n this