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Copepoda (Copepods) is a subclass of typical crustaceans. There are 14005 species of Copepods, in 2052 genera and 232 families. This subclass has been around since the burdigalian age. They rely on drag powered swimming to move around.

  • URI: https://eol.org/schema/terms/drag_based_swimming
  • Definition: Drag swimmers use a cyclic motion where they push water back in a power stroke, and return their limb forward in the return or recovery stroke. When they push water directly backwards, this moves their body forward, but as they return their limbs to the starting position, they push water forward, which will thus pull them back to some degree, and so opposes the direction that the body is heading. This opposing force is called drag. The return-stroke drag causes drag swimmers to employ different strategies than lift swimmers. Reducing drag on the return stroke is essential for optimizing efficiency.
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Copepod Habitats

The environments in which many copepods species are known to live. Select an environment to see its copepods species checklist.

copepods Habitats

The environments in which many copepods species are known to live. Select an environment to see its copepods species checklist.