The one kg woodlouse of the sea
Imagine a woodlouse (aka roly-poly, pill bug) 32.5 centimetres long and weighing in at over a kilogram. Sounds crazy? Well, trust the ocean to throw some crazy things our way.
Scientists have just described Bathynomus vaderi, a newly discovered giant isopod from Vietnam’s Spratly Islands. Nicknamed after Darth Vader because of its helmet-like head, this “supergiant” is a deep-sea cousin of the tiny bugs you’d find in your garden.
I say described because this isn’t a newly discovered species. Vietnamese fishers have been catching these creatures as bycatch for years! Fishers used to sell them for low prices, but in recent years, these “sea bugs” have gained popularity. Some people claim they taste better than lobster.
The research team purchased the specimens they studied from fishers and restaurants in Quy Nhơn City back in 2022. By early 2023, they realised that these giants were an undescribed species.
Bathynomus vaderi isn’t the only giant isopod lurking in the ocean. The largest isopod species that we know of is the rather aptly named Bathynomus giganteus. Researchers have found one of these measuring 50 centimetres long!
Credit NG et al (2025)
