How do crustaceans survive in high Arctic regions?

Crustaceans, which are a group of arthropods, survive in high Arctic regions through specialized ecological adaptations and physiological strategies.

In Arctic marine environments, crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods are integral components of the sea ice ecosystem. These animals thrive by utilizing the unique habitat provided by sea ice, which harbors complex ecosystems of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Crustaceans feed on these ice-associated algae, which serve as a vital, concentrated food source in the extreme polar environment.123

As ectotherms, crustaceans are also physiologically adapted to cold temperatures. Like other invertebrates in freezing environments, many species can employ biochemical strategies to prevent the formation of damaging ice crystals within their cells and tissues. This often involves the use of cryoprotectants—such as sugars, polyols, or specialized proteins—that lower the freezing point of their body fluids. In freshwater Arctic ponds, branchiopod crustaceans are also common, demonstrating the group's ability to occupy diverse niches within the Arctic landscape.451