Morphological criteria for the separation of the late copepodid stages of Temora stylifera and T.discaudata (Copepoda, Calanoida)

There are certain neritic species of calanoid copepods that have been misidentified due to their morphological similarities When working on biogeography, this problem causes confusion and lack of confidence in lists of species reported for particular geographical areas In this study, morphological differences in late copepodids and adults between the species Temora discaudata Giesbrecht, 1889 and Temora styhfera (Dana, 1849) have been determined using sexually modified structures. Specific differences were found in copepodids IV and V as well as in the adults, allowing positive identification of both species, even if only late copepodid stages are present. The geographical distribution of both species is reviewed