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Bathynomus vaderi came to light after scientists observed distinctions between it and other colossal isopod forms.(Image credit: Nguyen Thanh Son.)ShareShare by:
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Following a study of specimens acquired from fishermen situated in Vietnam, scientists have identified a previously undocumented giant marine bug.
Bathynomus vaderi is part of the Bathynomus genus — gigantic isopods which thrive in chilly, abyssal waters. It’s a “supergiant,” scaling in at over 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) and expanding up to 12.8 inches (32.5 centimeters) in length, marking it as one of the biggest isopods recognized to date.
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To date, B. vaderi has solely been detected in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands, an archipelago located in the South China Sea, though it may likewise exist in other portions of the South China Sea, as per the study.
For the recent study, documented on Jan. 15 in the journal ZooKeys, the group scrutinized specimens captured by local fishermen and determined that several of the examples exhibited distinct physical traits that distinguished them as a recently discovered species. The team delineated B. vaderi’s marked indentation within its hip bone along with a singular bony crest emerging from its coracoid bone, setting it apart from other supergiant isopods.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son holding a giant specimen of another species of giant isopod found in Vietnam (B. jamesi) that weighed 2.62 kg from a seafood market in Hanoi, October 2024.
The scientists pointed out that Bathynomus species have lately evolved into a delicacy within Vietnam, frequently likened to lobster. The localized requirement has transformed these marine bugs into a costly staple of the live-seafood marketplace, prompting intensified fishing burdens within the region.
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The investigators mentioned that this mercantile interest presents both prospects and obstacles. The quickly expanding market could endanger giant isopods, yet it may additionally clear a path for firmer guidelines and viable methods in deep-sea fishing.
B. vaderi does not hold the title of the biggest isopod species. That distinction is held by B. jamesi, which can reach lengths of approximately 20 inches (50 cm) and register weights of 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg). Supergiant isopods are commonly located in deep-sea settings, so examining them is demanding due to their inaccessibility.
Jacklin KwanLive Science Contributor
Jacklin Kwan functions as a freelance reporter situated in the United Kingdom, predominantly focusing on science and technology narratives. She holds a master’s degree in physics obtained from the University of Manchester and was awarded a Gold-Standard NCTJ diploma in Multimedia Journalism back in 2021. Jacklin has contributed writing to Wired UK, Current Affairs, along with Science for the People.
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