Cópapóid (zóplanctón)
Ciallaíonn an focal cópapóid go bhfuil cosa mar mhaidí rámha acu agus b’fhéidir gurb iad seo an speiceas zóplanctóin is líonmhaire ar fad. Is bia tábhachtach iad ag éisc. Déanann siad iad féin a shracadh tríd an uisce. Is minic a fheictear málaí uibheacha á n-iompar ag na cinn baineanna. Bíonn cuid de na cópapóid ina bparaisítí ar éisc, siorcanna agus ar mhamaigh na mara.
Copepods (zooplankton)
Meaning ‘oar-footed’, copepods – perhaps the most abundant zooplankton species – are an important food-source for fish. They travel through the water with jerky movements. Females are often seen carrying egg sacs. Some copepods act as parasites on fish, sharks and sea mammals.