[koh-puh-pod] 
| any of numerous tiny marine or freshwater crustaceans of the order (or subclass) Copepoda, lacking compound eyes or a carapace and usually having six pairs of limbs on the thorax, some abundant in plankton and others parasitic on fish. |
| co·pe·pod (kō'pə-pŏd') n. Any of numerous minute marine and freshwater crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail. [From New Latin Cōpēpoda, order name : Greek kōpē, oar; see kap- in Indo-European roots + -poda, -pod.] |
copepod co·pe·pod (kō'pə-pŏd')
n.
Any of numerous minute marine and freshwater crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail.
| copepod (kō'pə-pŏd') Pronunciation Key
Any of various very small crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail. Unlike most crustaceans, copepods lack a carapace over the back and do not have compound eyes. They are abundant in both salt and fresh water, and are an important food source for many water animals. Copepods include the water fleas. |
pəˌpɒd
pē