Typically Arctic species, extending its range from the Arctic Basin into adjoining seas. Is more numerous in the North Pacific than in the North Atlantic. Does not extend farther south than the south coast of Greenland.
Cold-water species (ranges in waters from -1.8*C to 8-10*C). Maximum abundance is observed in waters of temperatures -1.8 - +1*C
Reproduction occurs in surface waters, as well as the early development of nauplii and early copepodites. Starting with C4-C5 start performing diel vertical migrations and seasonal ontogenetic migrations. Overwinter at depth in a state of diapause, are almost absent from the surface layers in the winter months.
Female:
The ventral surface of the genital segment from lateral view curves immediately posteriad of the genital pore. The genital structures are very similar to that of C. finmarchicus and C. marshallae. The genital plate is smoothly curved in its posterior part and cut-off in the anterior, covering the proximal part of the chitinized seminal receptacles, which are slightly tilted toward the long axis of the body. The posterior corners of the last thoracic segment are always rounded. The serrated line on the coxopodite of C5 is very dense and more curved than in C. finmarchicus. The medial line of the 2nd segment of the basipodite of P5 is less curved than in C. finmarchicus. The spiniform process on the distal front edge of the P5 basipodite is usually wide and obtuse. The distal corner of the 1st segment of the endopodite is thicker and more dull than in M. finmarchicus. The inner edge of the 1st endopodal segment of P1 carries 1 seta, the inner and outer edges of the 3rd endopodal segment of P5 carry 3 setae. The photoreceptory glands are placed away from the lateral gland.
Male:
The P5 has an almost equal number of setae on the right and left branch. The outer distal process on the 2nd endopodal segment of the left P5 does not usually reach the distal edge of the 1st exopodal segment of this leg.
Filter-feeders, feed on various components of the phytoplankton, primarily diatoms
Significant food source for polar cod and in for herring in Pacific waters.
Calanus glacialis is an Arctic copepod found in the north-western Atlantic Ocean, adjoining waters, and the northwestern Pacific and its nearby waters. It ranges from sea level to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in depth. Females generally range from about 3.6 to 5.5 millimetres (0.14 to 0.22 in) in length, and males generally range from about 3.9 to 5.4 millimetres (0.15 to 0.21 in) in length.
C. glacialis females generally range from about 3.6 to 5.5 millimetres (0.14 to 0.22 in) in length, and males generally range from about 3.9 to 5.4 millimetres (0.15 to 0.21 in) in length.[1]
This copepod is found in the northwestern Atlantic, the adjoining waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Greenland Sea, Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the central Arctic Ocean, and northwestern Pacific, in the Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea. It ranges from sea level to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in depth.[1]
Depending on the conditions, it has a one to three year lifecycle. There are six nauplii and copepodite stages.[2] Eggs are laid during the spring, with clutches typically being 40 to 80 eggs.[1] During the summer, when temperatures are below 0 °C (32 °F), it takes about 46 days to go from an egg to a stage I copepodite.[3] The other stages are mainly gone through during the summer. During the autumn, it accumulates lipids before entering diapause, usually as a stage IV or V copepodite. During mid-winter, stage V copepodites develop into females.[2]
When breeding, C. glacialis can follow multiple strategies. When found in ice-covered areas, it uses the ice algae bloom to fuel reproduction. This is consistent with a strategy of income breeding, where resources collected during breeding are used to pay for it. When in primarily ice-free areas without an early ice algae bloom, it instead relies on previously collected resources to breed, making it a capital breeder in these cases. In both scenarios, the young take advantage of the phytoplankton bloom.[3]
C. glacialis is a filter-feeder,[1] mainly feeding on microalgae during the spring bloom.[3]
Calanus glacialis is an Arctic copepod found in the north-western Atlantic Ocean, adjoining waters, and the northwestern Pacific and its nearby waters. It ranges from sea level to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in depth. Females generally range from about 3.6 to 5.5 millimetres (0.14 to 0.22 in) in length, and males generally range from about 3.9 to 5.4 millimetres (0.15 to 0.21 in) in length.
