The use of integumental pore signature in the characterisation of species of the genus Thermocyclops Kiefer, 1927: The case of Thermocyclops Emini (Mrazek, 1895) (Crustacea : Copepoda : Cyclopoida)

The possibility to use the integumental pore signature as a tool in the ide ntification of cyclopoid copepods is explored. A full classical description of female specimens of Thermocyclops emini (Mrazek, 1895) is supplemented by mapping of the integumental perforations. These are bilaterally symmetri cal, and most occupy constant geometrical positions. On the metasome and ur osome the pattern changes from one segment to another, and differs in ventr al and dorsal position (on the urosome). The total number of perforations v aries between 193 and 202.