#cirolanidae

One of the first new discoveries of 2025, this giant isopod is strong with the force! Bathynomus vaderi, named for its superficial resemblance to the infamous Star Wars character Darth Vader, was discovered in the South China sea, and the paper giving the species its name was published on January 15. To date it is one of the largest giant isopod species, at 1 kg (2.2 pounds) in weight and up to 32.5 centimeters (12.8 inches) long!

ISOPODS!

Here, this is my absolute favorite isopod species...

Real Isopod Hours? Sure!

On November 30, 2017, while exploring in the Gulf of Mexico, we encountered this nearly 30-centimeter (12-inch) giant deep-sea isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) at a depth of ~810 meters (2,660 feet). These giant isopods are a great example of deep-sea gigantism, as most isopods in the deep sea are much smaller, about the size of your thumbnail. While we often see these giant underwater 'pill bugs' resting on the seafloor, we don't always get to see them swim, so seeing this isopod come in for a landing was exciting!

Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2017.

via: oceanexplorergov

Giant Isopod (Bathynomus giganteus), family Cirolanidae, order Isopoda, found on the ocean floor in the deep sea of the Indian, Pacific, and West Atlantic Oceans

The largest species of isopod. The largest confirmed individual was measured at 50 cm in length, 36 is a more typical maximum length.

DISCOVERING THE GIANTS OF THE DEEP: BATHYNOMUS JAMESI

A newly discovered species of giant isopod, Bathynomus vaderi, has recently been described from the deep waters around Spratly Islands, off Vietnam. The species, named after the infamous Sith Lord, Darth Vader, due to the striking resemblance of its helmet-like head, adds to the growing diversity of the Bathynomus genus. Bathynomus vaderi is characterized by several unique features, including a parallel-margin clypeal region, a raised dorsal surface on its pleotelson, and upwardly curved pleotelson spines.

Giant isopods like Bathynomus vaderi have become an expensive delicacy in Vietnam. Until 2017, local fishermen only sold them as an incidental product at low prices, but in recent years the media has drawn the public's attention to this unusual seafood. Some even claim that it is more delicious than lobster, the "king of seafood." This new species is described from several individual found at seafood markets in Hanoi, Vietnam.

-Seafood market in Hanoi, Vietnam, selling the newly described Bathynomus jamesi. Large specimens exceeding 2 kg in weight command premium prices.

In Vietnam, Bathynomus species, are often referred to as "sea bugs". Their unique appearance and large size make them a delicacy, and they can command high prices, with larger individuals of B. vaderi reaching up to 2 kg. In recent years, demand for these creatures has risen, especially in urban centers like Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City, where they are displayed in restaurants and sold through online seafood markets. This growing industry highlights the continued fascination with deep-sea species and the need for ongoing research to better understand their ecology and conservation.

Main photo: Bathynomus vaderi, male, colour in life. Photo by Nguyen Thanh Son

"I think it's rather difficult to get more compromising than this,” Cecil replies. MI6's finest, injured and drunk, with a beautiful, mostly naked man splayed out over his lap. All on the job. It’s astoundingly careless of him.

Deep-sea giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus)

Isopods like woodlice are a common sight under rotting vegetation, but these small arthropods have some pretty big cousins. Giant isopods live on the ocean floor, and can reach up to 40 cm (16 in) in length! Like their terrestrial cousins, giant isopods feed primarily on debris and small bits of organic matter, but will also scavenge carcasses where available.

(Image: A giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) by the Monterey Bay Aquarium)