Taxonomic position of and generic distinction between Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis), with description of a new species from the Black Sea

Abstract

Both sexes of a new species of Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis) are described from sandy beaches along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The genus Taurocletodes is removed from its synonymy with Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and re-instated as a valid genus, accommodating the type species T dubius (Noodt, 1958) comb. nov. and T tumenae sp. nov. Both genera can be differentiated by major differences in the segmentation of P1-P3 endopods, the absence/presence of penicillate setae on P1 endopod, the number of outer spines on P2-P4 exp-3, the armature of P2-P4 endopods and the sexual dimorphism of P2 endopod and P3 exopod. T tumenae sp. nov. and T dubius are morphologically very similar, differing in morphometric characters related to the endopodal segmentation of P1 and P4, and armature of the male P5. The controversial taxonomic status of Parepactophanes and Taurocletodes within the family Canthocamptidae is discussed.