Discover Bathynomus vaderi, a newly identified giant isopod species from Vietnam’s deep seas, named after Darth Vader.

Giant isopods, which belong to the Bathynomus genus, can grow to be over 11 inches, but the biggest ones reach nearly 20 inches in length . Bathynomus vaderi' s size puts in the “supergiant” isopod category at 12.7 inches long and 2.2 pounds in weight.

Giant ocean-dwelling isopods are on the menu in Vietnam. Scientists discovered a new species among specimens captured for the food market, and it's a doozy.

Giant isopods of the genus Bathynomus, which can reach more than 30 cm in length, are known as bọ biển or "sea bugs" in Vietnam. For the first time, one such species was described from Vietnamese waters and named Bathynomus vaderi.

Explore the fascinating world of deep-sea creatures with the discovery of Bathynomus vaderi, a giant isopod named after Darth Vader.

Bathynomus vaderi are considered a delicacy in Vietnam where they have become expensive additions to dishes with some customers even claiming they are tastier than lobsters

Researchers newly identified a “supergiant” sea bug species off the coast of south-central Vietnam, but scientists worry about its vulnerability to overfishing.