Researchers newly identified a “supergiant” sea bug species off the coast of south-central Vietnam, but scientists worry about its vulnerability to overfishing.

A newly identified species of deep-sea isopod has been discovered off the coast of Vietnam, earning its name, Bathynomus vaderi, due to its resemblance to the iconic helmet worn by Darth Vader from Star Wars.

Discover Bathynomus vaderi, a newly identified giant isopod species from Vietnam’s deep seas, named after Darth Vader.

"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." In recent years, sea bugs have become a Vietnamese delicacy.

Bathynomus vaderi, a newly discovered giant isopod in Vietnam, is now a popular delicacy and highlights the urgent need to study and sustainably manage deep-sea ecosystems. Giant isopods of the genus Bathynomus,

Scientists have discovered a new crustacean species after examining samples purchased from Vietnamese fishermen. Because its head resembles Darth Vader's famous helmet from Star Wars, the species has been named in honour of the Sith Lord.