velvet worm
noun
: any of a phylum (Onychophora) of terrestrial, wormlike invertebrates that are found in damp, dark habitats of the southern hemisphere and have dry, velvety skin and numerous pairs of short, thick legs
Note: Velvet worms are noted for having morphological characteristics that resemble those of both arthropods and annelids.
Peripatus resemble downy caterpillars—hence their other name, the velvet worm—and live solely in moist places like rotten logs and leaf litter.—
Matthew Cawood, Australian Geographic, April/June 1997
Matthew Cawood, Australian Geographic, April/June 1997Members of the phylum Onychophora or velvet worms have incited debate for years regarding their position in the animal kingdom.—George Poinar, Jr., Science, 6 Sept. 1996
George Poinar, Jr., Science, 6 Sept. 1996Dictionary Entries Near velvet worm
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“Velvet worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velvet%20worm. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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