Eucyclops (Denticyclops) leptacanthus Kiefer, 1956

Perbiche-Neves, Gilmar, Corgosinho, Paulo H. C., Previattelli, Daniel, Suárez-Morales, Eduardo, Nogueira, Marcos G. & da Rocha, and Carlos E. F., 2025, Catalogue for identification of the most common lacustrine and riverine cyclopoid copepod (Crustacea) species in plankton of La Plata Basin, South America, Zoologia (e 24023) 42, pp. 1-47 : 10-11

Eucyclops (Denticyclops) leptacanthus Kiefer, 1956

Fig. 9

Diagnosis. Adult female, 750 µm in length excluding caudal setae. Inner spine of the terminal endopod of P4

D

1.3–1.4 times longer than the outer spine of the same segment ( Fig. 9A ). Caudal rami 3.6–4 times longer than wide ( Fig. 9B ). Genital double-somite divided horizontally, both portions having equal or similar widths ( Fig. 9C ).

Remarks.Species with a wide geographic distribution in the Americas. It is often found in littoral zones, among aquatic macrophytes and in rivers, and is seldom found in the pelagic zone of reservoirs. Animals with a dark (black or brownish) color, usually with debris attached to the segments and appendages due to their benthic habit. A distinctive character that allows its separation from other closely related species is the proportional width and length of the caudal rami.

Figures

Figure9. Eucyclops leptacanthus,female: (A) P4; (B) caudalrami; (C) genitaldouble-somite.Scale bars: A, C= 50 µm;B = 100 µm.