Overview

• Researchers identified the new isopod species, Bathynomus vaderi, in the South China Sea near Vietnam's Spratly Islands.
• The species was named after Darth Vader due to the shape of its head, which resembles the iconic Star Wars character's helmet.
• Bathynomus vaderi measures up to 30 centimeters in length, weighs over a kilogram, and is significantly larger than common isopods.
• The isopod is considered a delicacy in Vietnam, where it is commercially fished and sold at high prices, with some claiming it tastes better than lobster.
• The discovery highlights how little is known about deep-sea biodiversity, underscoring the need for more research to protect ocean ecosystems from threats like overfishing and resource extraction.