Eucalanus californicus

Taxon-Order: 

click on image for more illustrations

Distribution: 
Northeast Pacific between 30º N-50º N
Habitat: 
Epipelagic to mesopleagic.
Size: 
Female 5.3-6.7 mm; male 2.7-3.8 mm
Diet: 
Omnivorous.
Predators: 
Fish and others.
Useful Facts or Characters: 

This species is quite transparent in life.  The female's forehead is triangular as seen from above, while the male's forehead is more rounded.

Natural History: 

Stores primarily triacylglycerols in a spherical oil droplet.

References: 

http://www.marinespecies.org/copepoda/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=346434

http://copepodes.obs-banyuls.fr/en/fichesp.php?sp=695

Ohman, M.D., Drits, A.V., Clarke, M.E., and Plourde, S. (1998) Differential dormancy of co-occurring copepods. Deep-Sea Research II 45: 1709-1740.