New 'Darth Vader' Sea Bug Species Found

A newly discovered 'supergiant' sea bug species in Vietnam, named Bathynomus vaderi, has captured scientific attention due to its resemblance to Darth Vader's helmet from Star Wars. Part of the Bathynomus genus, these isopods grow up to 32.5 cm (12.8 inches) and weigh over a kilogram, making them one of the largest known isopods. Discovered near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, B. vaderi is characterized by unique physical features, including a pronounced depression in its hip bone and distinctive back legs. The species has become a delicacy in Vietnam, with a taste compared to lobster, and its price has fluctuated due to rising demand. Researchers have raised concerns about its sustainability in the seafood market due to its slow reproduction rate. The formal description of the species was published in the journal ZooKeys, marking it as only the second supergiant isopod species discovered in the region.