“Supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader found in South China Sea

Researchers in Vietnam have discovered a new “supergiant” sea bug species, Bathynomus vaderi, named after Darth Vader due to its helmet-like head.

Found in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, this deep-sea crustacean measures about 30 cm, much larger than typical isopods.

It is only the second supergiant species identified in the region, CBS News has reported.

The discovery, published in ZooKeys, highlights the species’ unique features, including curved leg segments, and raises questions about its broader habitat in deep waters over 3,000 feet down.

Written by B.C. Begley