Scientists Worry About 'Darth Vader' Isopod Sold as Seafood in Vietnam

Newly Discovered Giant Species Could Become Extinct, Disrupting the Marine Food Chain

- Chin Hui Shan

A newly discovered species of aquatic supergiant isopod is being widely sold at food stalls and restaurants in Vietnam, causing scientists to worry that such isopods could be overfished and lead to the species' extinction.

This could disrupt the marine food chain, affecting the health of the sea creatures that humans consume.

Giant and supergiant isopods, which are a type of crustacean, play an important role in the health of the deep-sea food chain as they are part of the clean-up crew feeding on decomposing organic material and helping to recycle nutrients.

The Bathynomus vaderi (B. vaderi) — so named because its head resembles the helmet of Darth Vader, the antagonist in the Star Wars film franchise — was formally described in a study published on Jan 14 in ZooKeys, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

This supergiant isopod can grow to 32.5cm in length and weigh more than 1kg, according to the study. In contrast, isopods are tiny creatures, typically measuring under 2.5cm in length.

Supergiant isopods have reportedly grown up to 50cm in length, and giant isopods usually reach about 15cm in length.