Giant isopod named 'Bathynomus vaderi' after Darth Vader

The ocean is a vast, diverse world teeming with lifeforms that include remarkable isopods in habitats from the shimmering surface right down to the foreboding depths.

Yet, how much do we truly know about those creatures that dwell in the deep?

In Vietnamese waters, one such fascinating sea creature has recently come into the spotlight: the “sea bug,” or bọ biển. This is a supergiant isopod of the genus Bathynomus.

This captivating creature, remarkable for its size and uncanny resemblance to a certain infamous helmet, is stirring up excitement in both scientific circles and seafood markets across Vietnam.

Unfamiliar isopod face pops up in the deep

At the first encounter, this unique species from Vietnamese waters was given the name Bathynomus vaderi, in homage to the visually striking helmet of Star Wars’ very own Sith Lord, Darth Vader.

These colossal isopods, dubbed as the “supergiants,” can measure up to an impressive 32.5 cm (12.8 inches) in length and weigh over a kilogram (2.2 pounds).

The only recorded sightings of these enigmatic creatures to date have been around Vietnam’s Spratly Islands, yet there is a growing anticipation that further investigation might uncover their presence across more areas of the South China Sea.

Bathynomus vaderi: An isopod delicacy

Once sold at low prices as a bycatch product, Bathynomus vaderi has , since 2017, become an exotic and expensive isopod delicacy.

There’s even been a compelling discussion among food enthusiasts suggesting that its taste could surpass that of the lobster – the known “king of seafood.”

These marine giants have been harvested commercially by trawlers working in the deep waters of Biển Đông (the East Sea, which is the Vietnamese part of the South China Sea), and the offshore provinces in Vietnam’s south-central coast.

In the past five years, live sales of these “sea bugs” in Hanoi, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Đà Nẵng City’s seafood markets have surged.

Some retailers and restaurants have been quick to jump on this trend, promoting these odd yet captivating creatures via various online platforms, and even offering cooking tips.

Identification of new isopod species

The scientists who had the privilege of investigating this extraordinary species were from Hanoi University, National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, and the Vietnam National University.

They had procured four specimens of these giant isopods from Quy Nhơn City.

After thorough examination and research, they discovered in early 2023 that they were dealing with an unrecorded species.

Their exciting findings were later published in the open-access journal, ZooKeys.

Bathynomus isopod reveals deep-sea mysteries

The discovery of Bathynomus vaderi in Vietnamese waters underlines our limited knowledge of the deep-sea ecosystem.

It’s startling that a species as large as this was able to remain concealed for so long. This is a stark reminder of the many unknowns that still exist in the Southeast Asian seas.

Today, as we venture deeper into the ocean to exploit resources for fisheries, oil, gas, and minerals, there’s an escalating need to extend our understanding of this robust yet vulnerable ecosystem.

It is likely to be a challenge to fish these giant isopods in a sustainable manner, but we need to confront this in order to ensure that the species is not overexploited.

The first step to addressing this starts with knowing what resides within these mysterious depths.

Protecting deep-sea ecosystems

The discovery of Bathynomus vaderi highlights not only the incredible biodiversity hidden in the ocean’s depths but also the fragility of these ecosystems.

As deep-sea exploration and commercial activities expand, there’s an increasing need to balance resource utilization with conservation.

Practices such as sustainable fishing and minimizing seabed disturbances can help protect species like these isopods while preserving the intricate web of life which they are a part of.

By promoting international collaborations and advancing research into deep-sea environments, scientists and policymakers can work together to ensure that these ecosystems thrive for generations to come.

After all, each new discovery, like the enigmatic Bathynomus vaderi, serves as a reminder of how much more there is to learn and safeguard in the vast expanse of our oceans.

The full study was published in the journal ZooKeys.

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