This "supergiant" isopod, part of the Bathynomus genus, can grow to a length of up to 32.5 cm (12.8 inches) and weigh over a kilogram, according to a study published in ZooKeys.
The discovery was made while scientists were exploring culinary trends in Vietnam, where these giant sea bugs, known locally as "bo bein", have become a delicacy, with people comparing the quality of the meat to lobsters.
"Smaller eating establishments keep the isopods in ice boxes to be cooked when asked, while large restaurants have dedicated tanks with chilled water to keep and display the animals", the study highlighted.
The scientists do not have complete information if B vaderi was available elsewhere but dealers and fishermen informed that they obtained these creatures from deep waters near the Spratly Islands – a contested archipelago located in the South China Sea.
Apart from the Darth Vader-like head, B vaderi has a pronounced depression in its hip bone and a distinctive bony ridge protruding from its coracoid bone, setting it apart from other supergiant isopods.
Despite being huge and menacing looking, B vaderi is not the largest isopod species. The top spot is occupied by Bathynomus jamesi, which can grow to around 50 cm and weigh approximately 2.6 kilograms.
Despite their size, these crustaceans managed to remain hidden, showcasing the vast territories that remain unexplored beneath the ocean's surface.
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