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New supergiant 'Darth Vader' sea bug discovered in South China Sea — and it's absolutely massive

www.livescience.com New supergiant 'Darth Vader' sea bug discovered in South China Sea — and it's absolutely massive

The giant isopod has been named Bathynomus vaderi due to its resemblance to Darth Vader's iconic helmet from "Star Wars."

New supergiant 'Darth Vader' sea bug discovered in South China Sea — and it's absolutely massive

Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen giant sea bug after studying samples purchased from fishers in Vietnam.

Bathynomus vaderi belongs to the genus Bathynomus — giant isopods that are abundant in cold, deep waters. It is a "supergiant," weighing over 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) and growing up to 12.8 inches (32.5 centimeters) long, making it one of the largest known isopods.

The species is named "vaderi" because its head resembles Darth Vader's iconic helmet from "Star Wars."

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The researchers noted that Bathynomus species have recently become a delicacy in Vietnam, often compared to lobster. The local demand has turned these sea bugs into an expensive staple of the live-seafood market, leading to increased fishing pressures in the region.

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