【Maninilip (2025)】

Armored isopods crawl on Maninilip (2025)the seafloor, feasting on fallen carrion. And they can grow quite big.

So big, in fact, scientists reference the largest types as "supergiants." Biologists have identified a new such species, Bathynomus vaderi, named for its resemblance to Star Wars' Darth Vader — though, rest assured, these deep sea animals aren't evil Siths.

They reach a foot long, making them appear as striking 14-legged critters. And in recent years, they've apparently become a delicacy in Vietnam, as they're caught by ocean trawlers.

---

You May Also Like

---

---

"Some go as far as claiming it’s more delicious than lobster, the 'king of seafood,'" notes a press release about the discovery from Pensoft Publishers, a science literature publisher. "Some outlets and restaurants even advertise the saleof these 'sea bugs' online on various social media platforms, including how best to cook them!" the release added.

SEE ALSO: The deep sea footage scientists filmed in 2024 is jaw-dropping

The research has been published in the science journal ZooKeys. The four Bathynomus vaderi specimens described came from dealers in coastal Quy Nhơn in south-central Vietnam, and were fished from the South China Sea.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The new identification underscores the great biodiversity of the ocean — much of which we know little about or have yet to find.

"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 release noted.

---

Related Stories

---

• A dominant shark lurks in the deep, dark ocean. Meet the sixgill.
• There's an eerie mystery sound in the ocean. It could be a conversation.
• Scientists discover ancient shark swimming in a really strange place
• Why the U.S. will get a whole lotta sea level rise
• Amazing creature found 27,000 feet under the sea. Here's how it survives.

One of the study's authors, Nguyen Thanh So, holding another species of "supergiant" isopod in October 2024. Credit: Peter Ng Two Bathynomus vaderi indiviuals. Credit: Rene Ong

Ocean research organizations are now vigilantly documenting and mapping the deep sea. Scientists want to shine a light — literally and figuratively — on what's down there.

The implications of knowing are incalculable, particularly as deep sea mineral prospectors prepare to run tank-like industrial equipment across parts of the seafloor. For example, research expeditions have found that ocean life carries great potential for novel medicines. "Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms," notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• Science
• Life
• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Shopping
• Entertainment
• Games
• Deals

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro leaks highlight major new design change
• Chinese YouTube star Li Ziqi returns to social media after 3
• ASML reaffirms commitment to providing services to China amid chip restrictions · TechNode
• XREAL launches new AR glasses XREAL One with native 3DoF spatial tracking · TechNode
• This is the fattest of the extremely fat bears
• China’s CATL seeks battery recycling site in Europe · TechNode
• Shanghai Consumer Council criticizes auto
• China to set up new government department to drive “low
• Commissioning Misleading Core i9
• Microsoft launches Tencent App Store Zone in Windows Store for Chinese users · TechNode

• These cotton candy ice
• Anyway, here's Justin Trudeau doing a goofy face swap on Rosh Hashanah
• Syrian government uses 'Game of Thrones' in Aleppo propaganda video
• Proud cat owner dresses cat as ewok
• Where to stream the Streamy Awards
• Assange lines up #OctoberSurprise to shake up U.S. election
• The breathing trick that can make you more productive
• Chanel debuts futuristic helmets in Paris fashion week
• Honey is currently the sweetest trend in food
• RNC declares Mike Pence the winner of the debate — before it happens

• Creator job opportunities grew 7x in recent years [April 2025]
• Tencent to shut down Honor of Kings: Breaking Dawn early access test · TechNode
• Microsoft launches Tencent App Store Zone in Windows Store for Chinese users · TechNode
• China’s Xpeng Motors unveils hybrid EV system and AI chipset · TechNode
• How to Easily Make iPhone Ringtones Using Only iTunes
• ByteDance recruits Alibaba's large model leader amid dispute · TechNode
• SenseTime completes strategic restructuring to focus on AI cloud and vision · TechNode
• Chinese auto startup Hesai to supply 1.5 million lidar units to Ford partner · TechNode
• Trump's new tariff plan spares some smartphones, laptops
• China’s Xpeng Motors unveils hybrid EV system and AI chipset · TechNode

• Useful or Little Known Android Features
• Two Xiaomi VPs depart amid leadership reshuffle · TechNode
• Shanghai Consumer Council criticizes auto
• Two Xiaomi VPs depart amid leadership reshuffle · TechNode
• The fat bears are already extremely fat
• SenseTime completes strategic restructuring to focus on AI cloud and vision · TechNode
• Chery becomes first Chinese automaker to produce cars in Europe · TechNode
• Amazon Global Store launches official flagship on JD.com ahead of Black Friday · TechNode
• Character AI reveals AvatarFX, a new AI video generator
• Key executives depart as Baidu restructures healthcare division · TechNode