Nature & Environment

Huge new species of 'supergiant' isopod is named after Darth Vader

By T.K. Randall
January 16, 2025

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) It might sound strikingly prehistoric, but this gargantuan underwater isopod is the real deal - a 2.2kg monster (or 'supergiant') that lives in the waters near the Spratly Islands - an archipelago in the South China Sea.

Giant isopods typically live in cold, deep areas of the ocean and this newly discovered species is one of the biggest anyone has ever seen.

What's more, it has been named Bathynomus vaderi in reference to Darth Vader because its head bears more than a passing resemblance to the iconic Star Wars character's helmet.According to researchers, these huge isopods have become something of a delicacy in Vietnam and they were able to obtain specimens for study by purchasing them from local fishermen.

Despite its huge size, however, this newfound species is not actually the largest isopod - that title goes to B. jamesi which can grow to 20 inches long and weighs as much as 2.6kg.

It's quite plausible that there are other, even larger species out there waiting to be discovered, but due to their tendency to live deep down in the ocean depths, finding them can prove a challenge.

Massive new bug species found - and it's so horrifying, it's been named after Darth Vader https://t.co/acmVyyWINa pic.twitter.com/TxVrmF6vVo

- New York Post (@nypost) January 15, 2025

Source: Live Science

Tags: Isopod