Copepod

Copepods are a group of small crustaceans found in nearly every freshwater and saltwater habitat. Some species are planktonic, some are benthic, several have parasitic phases, and some continental species live in wet terrestrial places such as swamps, bogs, springs, damp moss, or the water-filled recesses of plants such as bromeliads and pitcher plants. Many live underground in marine and freshwater caves, sinkholes or stream beds, and copepods are sometimes used as indicators of biodiversity.