ZooGene, a DNA sequence database for calanoid copepods and euphausiids:

an OBIS tool for uniform standards of species identification

Why copepods?

species-rich group of holoplanktonic animals

numerous groups of sibling species

subtle morphological changes between species

genuine taxonomic difficulties

further examination of morphological characters not useful

evolutionary history nearly unknown

Why euphausiids?

biomass dominant in some ocean regions and at some times

species with wide-spread disjunct distributions

genetic cohesiveness of species in question

likelihood of cryptic and sibling species

Both groups ...

...are ecologically important

...occupy pivotal positions in fisheries food webs

...need accurate species counts for assessment of marine biodiversity