Small crustaceans that are among the most abundant animals on Earth, found in nearly every aquatic environment. These tiny swimmers have a single eye and are crucial links in aquatic food chains.
From Greek 'kope' meaning 'oar' and 'podos' meaning 'foot', referring to their oar-like swimming appendages. The name was given by early marine biologists who observed their distinctive rowing motion.
Copepods are probably the most important animals you've never heard of - they're so numerous that they may represent the largest animal biomass on Earth! Their daily vertical migrations help pump carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean, playing a crucial role in climate regulation.
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