This is one of the large copepod species occurring in the Arctic Ocean basin, and it is endemic to the Arctic Ocean. They reaches approximately 1 cm in body length. The transparent liquid visible inside the body consists of accumulated lipid (primarily wax esters). Using this stored lipid as energy, this species descent to 1,000 m depth before sea-ice coverage and diapause in the deep layer. They then matures, mates, and produces eggs in the deep layer. Their generation length ranges from three to five years in the Arctic Ocean, and that length is determined by primary production in each region In the Arctic Ocean.
