II - Feeding, digestion, excretion and food storage of Peripatopsis

Abstract

The material for this work consisted of several hundred specimens of Peripatopsis obtained in South Africa in 1933 and brought to England alive. At least six species were present, four being referable to existing descriptions. Two of these, P. moseleyi and P. sedgwick , have been kept in captivity in perfect health for three years, and were represented in 1937 by some of the original animals and their sexually mature offspring. A study of their feeding, digestion, and excretion has been made during this period. The animals were killed primarily to obtain their embryos, but the material was used as extensively as possible for other purposes. In another paper a general account will be given of the biology of the South African species of Peripatopsis .