5 million-year-old velvet worm species thriving on Garden Route

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Five velvet worm species discovered in and around the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) recently show a healthy eco-system as the 5 million-year-old species thrive only in “pristine conditions”.

SANParks said the discovery of peripatopsis clavigera was made by independent researchers from Stellenbosch University – Aaron Barnes, Till Reiss and Savel Daniels.

GRNP general manager Vuyiswa Thabethe said they were excited about the news.

“Not only are we in the midst of age-old wonder creatures dating back as far as 5 million years ago, velvet worms thrive in pristine conditions only. Their existence in the forest point to how well the forests are managed under the GRNP. The forests are healthy and thriving,” Thabethe said.

The researchers focused on area Diepwalle, Goudveld, Groeneweide, Garden of Eden (Harkerville), and the Wilderness (Brown Hooded Kingfisher trail, Beervlei, Half Collared Kingfisher Trail, Woodville Big tree).

 
Areas outside the Park included the Robinson’s pass, Witfontein, Jonkersberg, Homtini, Tulbagh.