A New Giant Marine Pillbug Looks Like Darth Vader and Tastes Like Lobster

What has 14 legs, dwells on the ocean floor, and resembles Darth Vader? A newly discovered supergiant isopod species, which you can even try as a dish if you visit Vietnam.

What has 14 legs, dwells on the ocean floor, and resembles Darth Vader? A newly discovered supergiant isopod species, which you can even try as a dish if you visit Vietnam.

These creatures are frequently caught accidentally in fishing trawler nets.

The Rise of a Lobster-Like Treat

About seven years ago, Vietnamese fishermen sold them as a low-cost bycatch seafood item. However, they have since transformed into a sought-after delicacy, reportedly with a flavor similar to lobster.

Now, they are deliberately harvested and sold live in Vietnamese seafood markets, where they are known as bọ biển, or “sea bugs.”

In March 2022, researchers from Hanoi University acquired several supergiant isopods of the genus Bathynomus from restaurants and fishermen in Quy Nhơn City—but not for culinary purposes.

Noticing that these creatures appeared slightly different from other supergiants, some were sent to Prof. Peter Ng at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore. The specimens, all caught in the South China Sea, included one measuring 27 cm (10.6 in) in length.

Collaborating with Conni M. Sidabalok from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency and Nguyen Thanh Son from Vietnam National University, Ng identified the specimens as a previously undiscovered Bathynomus species.

Noticing that these creatures appeared slightly different from other supergiants, some were sent to Prof. Peter Ng at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore. The specimens, all caught in the South China Sea, included one measuring 27 cm (10.6 in) in length.

Collaborating with Conni M. Sidabalok from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency and Nguyen Thanh Son from Vietnam National University, Ng identified the specimens as a previously undiscovered Bathynomus species.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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