Newly discovered 'Darth Vader' crustacean found in deep sea
Scientists have discovered a new crustacean species after examining samples purchased from Vietnamese fishermen. Because its head resembles Darth Vader's famous helmet from Star Wars, the species has been named in honour of the Sith Lord.
Bathynomus vaderi, found in the South China Sea, is a new crustacean from the isopod family (Isopoda). It belongs to the giant isopods, which are abundant in cold, deep waters. The scientists detailed their discovery in the scientific journal ZooKeys.
The crustacean's head like the Sith Lord's helmet
As the researchers describe, Bathynomus Vader's head caught the scientific team's attention due to its significant differences from other species of giant isopods. Because it resembled Darth Vader's famous helmet from Star Wars, the name "Vader" was conceived.
Scientists observed the new species after examining samples from Vietnamese fishermen in Hanoi, Vietnam. Bathynomus vaderi belongs to the genus Bathynomus, which includes giant isopods. This species is a "supergiant," reaching a weight of over 1 kilogramme and a length of up to 33 centimetres, making it one of the largest isopods.
Underwater Darth Vader as tasty as lobster?
According to research published in the scientific journal "ZooKeys," Bathynomus vaderi has been identified only near the Spratly Islands. However, scientists suspect it may also be present in other areas of the South China Sea.
Researchers described the new find, noting unique physical features in several samples caught by local fishermen, which indicated a new variant of the species. Bathynomus vaderi stands out with a distinctive indentation in the hip bone and a unique bony crest protruding from the coracoid bone, distinguishing it from other supergiant isopods.
Scientists have noted that species from the genus Bathynomus have recently gained popularity as a delicacy in Vietnam, often compared to lobster. The rise in local demand has made these sea insects an expensive commodity in the seafood market, leading to increased regional fishing.
