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Nature & Environment

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

By T.K. Randall
January 16, 2025 · Comment icon 3 comments
Supergiant isopod
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son holding a different species of giant isopod. Image Credit: Peter Ng
This enormous underwater creature has been named after the iconic villain of the Star Wars franchise.
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.



Source: Live Science | Comments (3)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Amorlind 1 month ago
I fear that this specie will soon became in danger as soon as the Chinese consummers will be interested in it...
Comment icon #2 Posted by Stiff 1 month ago
Comment icon #3 Posted by Cho Jinn 1 month ago
Leave the isopods alone.  Unless they are in that tank at the Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, Florida Keys a couple weeks ago; you can stick your hand in there and bother them all you want, and then have your hand seriously pinched because those legs are rather spiky. In all seriousness, it is a great spot for kids and anyone interested in intercoastal wildlife.  Lots of great specimens, snorkeling activity for kids, etc.


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