| The Antarctic copepod <i>Drescheriella glacialis</i>, an inhabitant of sea ice, is the first polar invertebrate metazoan to have been cultured throughout its life cycle. We describe its demographic characteristics on the basis of a laboratory cohort study and correlative field data. When compared to its closest temperate zone relatives, <i>D. glacialis</i> shows temperate compensation of developmental and reproductive rates. A genuine <i>r</i>-strategist in every respect, it does not fit established trends for Antarctic invertebrates but appears well adapted to the peculiar spatio-temporal variability. |
