New Supergiant Sea Bug Discovered in Vietnam, Named After Darth Vader

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Scientists have recently identified a new species of 'supergiant' sea bug in Vietnam and have named it Bathynomus vaderi, drawing inspiration from the iconic Star Wars character, Darth Vader. The creature's head resembles the Sith Lord's helmet, leading to this unique name. The Bathynomus vaderi can grow up to 32.5 cm in length and weigh over a kilogram.

The discovery was made during a study focused on culinary trends in Vietnam, where these giant isopods, known locally as "bo bein," are increasingly being recognized as a delicacy. The quality of their meat is often compared to that of lobster. Smaller restaurants keep these bugs in ice, while larger establishments maintain them in tanks of chilled water for display.

Despite their large size, Bathynomus vaderi is one of several species in the Bathynomus genus, which inhabit deep waters, notably near the Spratly Islands in the contested South China Sea. The market price for these supergiant isopods has fluctuated over recent years, decreasing from Rs 6,854 per kilogram in 2017 to approximately Rs 3,400 per kilogram in early 2024, thanks to increased demand and availability.

While B. vaderi is impressive, it is not the largest isopod species—this title belongs to Bathynomus jamesi, which can reach lengths of up to 50 cm and weights of about 2.6 kilograms. The presence of these remarkable creatures reveals the unexplored biological diversity lurking beneath our oceans.

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