Peripatus belongs to

Options

A. Arachnida
B. Insecta
C. Crustacea
D. Onychophora.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Options**: The question asks to identify the phylum to which Peripatus belongs. The options given are Arachnida, Insecta, Crustacea, and Onychophora.

2. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Arachnida**: This group includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. Peripatus does not belong to this group.
- **Insecta**: This group includes insects. Peripatus is not classified under this category.
- **Crustacea**: This group includes crustaceans like crabs and cyclops. Peripatus is not a crustacean.
- **Onychophora**: This is the correct option. Peripatus is classified under this phylum.

3. **Justification for Onychophora**:
- Peripatus is commonly known as a velvet worm.
- It is considered a "living fossil" because it shows characteristics that provide a connective link between two other phyla: Annelida (segmented worms) and Arthropoda (insects, arachnids, and crustaceans).

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that Peripatus belongs to the phylum **Onychophora**.