Scientists describe new giant isopod species as high-end restaurants race to add ‘sea bugs’ to their menus
In a remarkable convergence of pop culture and marine science, researchers have discovered a new species of giant deep-sea isopod whose distinctive head shape bears an uncanny resemblance to one of cinema’s most iconic villains. Named Bathynomus vaderi after the Star Wars character Darth Vader, this formidable creature represents the latest addition to a group of supersized crustaceans that have unexpectedly become a luxury seafood item in Vietnam.
The discovery, published today in the journal ZooKeys, adds another fascinating chapter to our understanding of the mysterious creatures dwelling in the depths of the South China Sea. These “sea bugs,” as they’re known locally in Vietnam, can grow to more than a foot long and weigh over a kilogram.
The emergence of this new species was aided by an unlikely source: Vietnam’s growing appetite for exotic seafood. “Until 2017, local fishermen only sold them as a bycatch product for low prices,” the researchers note in their study. “But in recent years the media has drawn public attention to this unusual seafood, with some claiming it’s more delicious than lobster.”
From Deep-Sea Curiosity to Culinary Sensation
The newfound popularity of these giant isopods has transformed them from obscure deep-sea dwellers into sought-after delicacies. Once commanding prices of up to 2 million Vietnamese Dong (approximately $80) per kilogram in 2017, they can now be found in seafood markets across major Vietnamese cities, including Hanoi, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Đà Nẵng City.
The discovery process itself began in March 2022, when staff from Hanoi University purchased four specimens from Quy Nhơn City. Two were sent to Peter Ng at Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum for identification, leading to the recognition of a new species.
A Window into the Unknown
The discovery highlights significant gaps in our knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems. “That a species as large as this could have stayed hidden for so long reminds us just how much work we still need to do to find out what lives in Southeast Asian waters,” the researchers emphasize in their paper.
The timing of this finding is particularly crucial as human activities increasingly encroach upon deep-sea environments. “There is an urgent need to better understand our deep-sea biodiversity as humans increasingly endeavour to exploit this habitat for fisheries, oil and gas, and even minerals,” the study authors warn.
A Growing Family of Giants
Bathynomus vaderi joins an elite group of “supergiant” isopods, becoming the fourth known species with distinctively upward-curved spines on its tail section. The species has so far only been found near Vietnam’s Spratly Islands, though researchers suggest it likely inhabits other parts of the South China Sea.
As these creatures transition from scientific curiosities to culinary delicacies, their discovery underscores a broader challenge: balancing exploitation with conservation. Their emergence in Vietnam’s seafood markets has provided scientists with unexpected opportunities for study, while simultaneously raising questions about the sustainability of deep-sea fishing practices.
For now, Bathynomus vaderi serves as a reminder that even in 2025, our oceans still harbor secrets – some of which might end up on dinner plates before they appear in scientific journals.