Editing Onychophora (section)

==Conservation status==
The global [[conservation status]] of velvet worm species is difficult to estimate; many species are only found their [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] (the location at which they were first observed and described). The collection of reliable data is also hindered by velvet worms' low [[Population density|population densities]], their typically [[nocturnal]] behavior, and possibly as-yet undocumented seasonal influences and [[sexual dimorphism]].<ref name="trnew" /> To date, the only onychophorans evaluated by the [[IUCN]] are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en |website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}</ref> 

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 900px;|*{{IUCNCS|DD}} ''[[Mesoperipatus tholloni]]''
*{{IUCNCS|NT}} ''[[Plicatoperipatus jamaicensis]]''
*{{IUCNCS|VU}} ''[[Peripatoides indigo]]'' 
*{{IUCNCS|VU}} ''[[Peripatoides suteri]]''
*{{IUCNCS|VU}} ''[[Peripatopsis alba]]''
*{{IUCNCS|VU}} ''[[Peripatopsis clavigera]]''
*{{IUCNCS|EN}} ''[[Leucopatus anophthalmus]]''
*{{IUCNCS|EN}} ''[[Macroperipatus insularis]]''
*{{IUCNCS|CR}} ''[[Opisthopatus roseus]]''
*{{IUCNCS|CR}} ''[[Peripatopsis leonina]]''
*{{IUCNCS|CR}} ''[[Speleoperipatus spelaeus]]''}}

The primary threat to velvet worms comes from destruction and fragmentation of their habitat due to [[industrialisation]], draining of [[wetland]]s, and [[slash-and-burn]] agriculture. As mentioned above, many species also have naturally low population densities and closely restricted geographic ranges. As a result, localized disturbances of important [[ecosystem]]s could lead to the extinction of entire populations or species. Collection of specimens for universities or research institutes also plays a role on a local scale.<ref name="trnew">{{cite journal |last1=New |first1=Tim R |date=1995 |title=Onychophora in invertebrate conservation: priorities, practice and prospects |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=114 |issue=1 |pages=77–89 |doi=10.1006/zjls.1995.0017}}</ref> 

There is a very pronounced difference in the protection afforded to velvet worms between regions: in some countries, such as [[South Africa]], there are restrictions on both collecting and [[export]]ing, while in others, such as [[Australia]], only export restrictions exist. Many countries offer no specific safeguards at all. [[Tasmania]] has a protection program that is unique worldwide: one region of forest has its own velvet worm conservation plan tailored to a particular species ([[Tasmanipatus|''Tasmanipatus barretti'']]).<ref name="trnew" />