Archive · 10 Jun 2025
Student Finds 500-Million-Year-Old Living Fossil in Mountains
A student named Rohan Barnard found a rare velvet worm, also known as a "living fossil," while exploring the Swartberg Mountains.
These worms have existed for over 500 million years, even before dinosaurs.
Barnard discovered a new species of velvet worm and shared it on an app called iNaturalist.
Scientists later studied the worm, naming it Peripatopsis barnardi after him.
The find is exciting because it shows the area used to be cooler and wetter, with forests.
Velvet worms need damp environments to survive, making this discovery important for understanding the region's ancient climate.
It also shows how citizen scientists can help with discoveries.
Stellenbosch University student Rohan Barnard discovered a velvet worm in the Swartberg Mountains.
The worm was identified as a new species, named Peripatopsis barnardi.
Velvet worms are considered 'living fossils' that date back over 500 million years.
The discovery indicates the Karoo region once had a cooler, wetter climate.
Citizen science initiatives contribute to scientific discoveries.
- Who
- Rohan Barnard (student), scientists
- What
- Discovery of a new species of velvet worm, a 'living fossil'
- When
- Not explicitly stated in the article.
- Where
- Swartberg Mountains, South Africa
- Why
- To understand ancient climate and demonstrate how citizen science helps.
- Student's Affiliation
- Stellenbosch University
- Location of Discovery
- Swartberg Mountains
- New Species Name
- Peripatopsis barnardi
- Age of Velvet Worms
- 500+ million years
- Velvet Worm Habitat
- Cool, damp places