Copepods are microscopic crustaceans that are an important link in the food chain. They undergo multiple molting stages from nauplius larvae to adult, and reproduction is sexual. Common types include calanoid and cyclopoid copepods, which are found globally in aquatic environments. Copepods feed on algae and small invertebrates and are themselves an important food source for many marine organisms. Their distribution and pigmentation are affected by environmental factors like water temperature.

1. Copepod Life Cycle By: Joseph Aminov

2. What Are They???? Copepods are microscopic org.. Free-living..

3. Where does the Name Refer To? The name copepod refers to "oar foot" because some of the planktonic species have tails that flare out like a paddle

4. Where Are They In The Chain? Crucial link in the food chain and are often assigned the role of "primary consumers." Generally herbivores, One of the dominant forms of animal plankton,

5. Characteristics Copepods No asexual reproduction Fertilized egg hatches into a larva called a nauplius Nauplius undergoes a series of molts (6) before changing into a form that looks like an adult (copepodid) Copepodid undergoes 6 further molts before becoming an adult (sexually mature) Males and females look similar, but males have clasper Generation time: months to one year

6. Copepod Life Cycle

7. Characteristics Copepods Some are passive filter feeders, but most go after individual particles Take algae and small invertebrates Adults range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm Calanoid & cyclopoid common in plankton Calanoid Cyclopoid

8. Characteristics Copepods Small invertebrate arthropods Multicellular, heterotrophic, eukaryotic Use jointed appendages for swimming and feeding Found in freshwater, estuaries and the ocean Very characteristic of marine zooplankton

9. A calanoid copepod

10. Cyclopoid copepods Order Cyclopodia 250 planktonic species

11. Difference B/w Calanoid & Cyclopoid Cyclopoids near aquarium… calanoids water surface where they were better visible..

12. Why are they so Important? They are very important sources of food because of their large numbers and high nutritional value. in marine environments they are the predominant source of food for organisms like jellyfish, basking sharks, and whales (Davis 1955).

13. Temperatures effect on copepods?? Temperature seems to affect the distribution and activity of copepods. Some species are more apt to be found in colder, deeper lakes whereas some are only found in warmer lakes.

14. Continuation…. Byron (1982) supported this in his investigation in which he concluded that much of the variation of pigmentation is due to environmental conditions along with metabolic stimulation. However, many of the variations can be explained just by observing the difference in water temperatures. He stated that copepods had the darkest pigmentation in colder water.

15. Collecting Plankton

16. Cited webs Plant http://science.jrank.org/pages/1774/Copepods-Place-in-food-chain.html#ixzz18caOvo1t http://academics.smcvt. edu /dfacey/AquaticBiology/Freshwater%20Pages/Copepods.html