Scientists named the new species Bathynomus vaderi because of its resemblance to Darth Vader.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son/ZooKeysBathynomus vaderi, the “supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader.
In the markets of Vietnam, researchers have identified a new species of giant isopod that astonishingly mirrors one of pop culture’s most iconic villains: Darth Vader.
Named Bathynomus vaderi in honor of the fictional character, this deep-sea creature stands out with bony shoulder ridges reminiscent of the Sith Lord’s helmet.
Found near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, B. vaderi is believed to dwell at greater depths than other giant isopods, making it more elusive. The species’ recent discovery is likely due to increased fishing activity in the region, leading researchers to highlight the importance of studying its habitat and addressing the impact of human activity on its survival.
Scientists Discover A Supergiant Sea Bug In The South China Sea
In a recent study published in the journal ZooKeys, researchers examined giant isopods collected from Vietnamese restaurants and fishermen.
Giant isopods belong to the genus Bathynomus and are commonly found in deep, cold waters. Ranging from 3.4 inches to more than 20 inches long, these carnivorous sea creatures are known to be harmless to humans and are a popular food item in markets in Southeast Asia.
While examining these isopods, the researchers discovered a previously unknown species. These creatures, named Bathynomus vaderi after their resemblance to Darth Vader in Star Wars, can grow up to 12.8 inches long and weigh more than 2.2 pounds.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son/ZooKeysB. vaderi can weigh over two pounds and grow to more than a foot in length, making it “supergiant.”
“The species [is] named after the most famous Sith Lord in the Star Wars movie series, Darth Vader, whose helmet resembles the head of the new Bathynomus species,” the researchers wrote in their study.
Uncovering The Secrets Of ‘Bathynomus Vaderi’
The new species is similar to other giant isopods, but its primary differences lie in its body shape, size, and habitat.
Researchers found that B. vaderi has notable dips in its hip bones and a unique bony ridge protruding from its shoulders that gives it that “Vader” look. And while it’s not the largest isopod, B. vaderi is still an impressive size.
So far, the species has only been found near the Spratly Islands, an archipelago in the South China Sea just west of the Philippines. However, researchers believe they may live elsewhere in the South China Sea as well. They seemingly dwell deeper than other isopods, making it harder to catch them.
Peter NgDr. Nguyen Thanh Son holds a specimen of another species of giant isopod found in Vietnam called B. jamesi.
“In the restaurants in Hanoi where Bathynomus is also sold, we have only seen B. jamesi so far, although we were told the specimens are also from Quy Nhơn. It is possible B. vaderi has a slightly different habitat, depth range, or distribution than B. jamesi, and what is caught depends on where individual boats trawl,” researchers wrote.
However, increased fishing in the South China Sea due to a growing demand for sea bugs has turned up more B. vaderi, allowing scientists to study the species and better propose ideas for its conservation.
“The discovery of a species as strange as Bathynomus vaderi in Vietnam highlights just how poorly we understand the deep-sea environment,” ZooKeys publisher Pensoft said in a blog post. “There is an urgent need to better understand our deep-sea biodiversity as humans increasingly endeavor to exploit this habitat for fisheries, oil and gas, and even minerals. The sustainable fishery of giant isopods just adds to the many challenges we face. And the first step is to know what lives there.”
After reading about the supergiant sea bug found in Vietnam, learn about another giant isopod, Bathynomus giganteus. Then, read about the bullet ant, the creature with the most painful sting on Earth.
