Bathynomus vaderi, a colossal isopod, has been christened so due to its striking likeness to the distinctive helmet of Darth Vader from “Star Wars.”
Scientists identified Bathynomus vaderi subsequent to observing distinctions between it and other colossal isopod varieties. (Image credit: Nguyen Thanh Son.)Subscribe to our newsletter
Researchers have identified a previously undocumented giant marine arthropod following an examination of specimens procured from fishermen in Vietnam.
Bathynomus vaderi is part of the Bathynomus genus, comprising enormous isopods that are prevalent in frigid, abyssal depths. This creature is classified as a “supergiant,” with a mass exceeding 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) and a length reaching up to 12.8 inches (32.5 centimeters), positioning it among the most substantial isopods known.
To date, B. vaderi has exclusively been encountered near the Spratly Islands, an archipelago situated in the South China Sea, although it is plausible that its habitat extends to other regions within this body of water, according to the investigation.
In the course of the recent research, documented on January 15 in the journal ZooKeys, the scientific team analyzed samples gathered by local fishermen. They observed that a few individuals exhibited unique morphological characteristics that distinguished them as a novel species. The team detailed B. vaderi’s prominent indentation on its ilium and a distinctive osseous crest projecting from its coracoid bone, setting it apart from other supergiant isopods.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son displaying a large specimen of a different giant isopod species found in Vietnam (B. jamesi), which weighed 2.62 kg, from a seafood market in Hanoi in October 2024. (Image credit: Peter Ng)
The investigators observed that Bathynomus species have recently gained popularity as a culinary item in Vietnam, often likened to lobster. The local demand has elevated these marine invertebrates into a high-value component of the live-seafood trade, consequently intensifying fishing efforts in the area.
This commercial interest presents both potential benefits and significant challenges, according to the researchers. The rapidly expanding market poses a risk to giant isopods, yet it may also facilitate the implementation of more stringent regulations and sustainable methodologies in deep-sea fishing operations.
B. vaderi does not hold the record for the largest isopod; that distinction belongs to B. jamesi, which can attain lengths of approximately 20 inches (50 cm) and weigh 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg). Supergiant isopods are typically inhabitants of deep-sea environments, making their study arduous due to their limited accessibility.