Neocalanus

Neocalanus is a genus of marine copepods. They are a dominant component of the open water ecosystems of the northern Pacific Ocean. Neocalanus are large copepods, reaching body lengths (i.e., prosome length) of more than 8 mm (0.31 in) in Neocalanus plumchrus. There are six species: Neocalanus flemingeri is predominantly annual, with a significant fraction of biennials in some areas. The largest females reach prosome length of about 5 mm (0.20 in); males are smaller. Neocalanus are important food items for many predators, such as North Pacific right whale and least auklet.