The genital fields of Canuella Perplexa and C. Furcigera (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) – comparative morphology and functional aspects

The harpacticoids Canuella perplexa T. & A. Scott, 1893 and Canuella furcigera Sars, 1903 differ not only in size and length of the furca, but above all in the structure of the genital fields in both sexes. These differences, which have not been described exactly so far, are demonstrated by SEM micrographs and by drawings. Since there is no adequate terminology for the description of genital fields, terms are introduced in this study. A partly extruded spermatophore in a male specimen of Canuella perplexa is shown by a SEM micrograph. Mating has never been observed in either species; however, from the anatomical structure some conclusions may be drawn on the possible configuration of the genital fields during mating.