Animal Profiles
Crustaceans

Copepod

Copepoda

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Copepods are small crustaceans with major roles in ocean food webs. This account follows Calanus finmarchicus, a North Atlantic species that stores energy for seasonal dormancy.

Magnified photograph of Calanus finmarchicus, the representative described here.

Magnified photograph of Calanus finmarchicus, the representative described here.

Leïla Brunner · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Calanus finmarchicus inhabits Atlantic-influenced northern seas.
Habitat
Open ocean

Classification

Common name
Copepod
Browse group
Crustaceans
Scientific name or taxon
Copepoda
Taxon rank
class
Source classification
Copepoda

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a small crustacean.
  • Stored fats support seasonal dormancy.
  • It is important prey in northern seas.

Habitat and range

Calanus finmarchicus inhabits Atlantic-influenced northern seas. The cited research examines animals from shallow and deep water in the Fram Strait rather than claiming a single depth for the whole population.

Appearance and adaptations

The small translucent body has prominent appendages and an internal lipid store. Accumulated fats are an important feature of the later juvenile stages studied in seasonal research.

Diet and behaviour

During productive periods these copepods build energy reserves. Many descend and enter a low-activity dormant state. Their abundance also makes them important prey for fishes, seabirds and marine mammals.

Sources

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