The Deep Strikes Back

Scientists recently discovered a new species of deep-sea crustacean with a striking resemblance to Darth Vader’s iconic helmet, one that discerning diners in Vietnam had already prized for being tastier than lobster.

Named Bathynomus vaderi, the newly discovered creature looks like a gigantic woodlouse that can grow more than 11 inches long and weigh more than two pounds.

Researcher Peter Ng and his colleagues came across the peculiar creature after shopping at a fish market in the city of Quy Nhơn in Vietnam.

“I am the biggest Star Wars fan in the team,” Ng told New Scientist, explaining why he named the animal after the Star Wars character. “But we all agree that the face of Bathynomus looks so much like Darth Vader that it just had to be named after the Sith Lord.”

In their study, the research team wrote that the discovery marks only the second “supergiant” isopod species found in the South China Sea.

Isopods are an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and are known for their hard exoskeletons and seven pairs of legs, CBS News reported. Although they are usually very small, B. vaderi evolved and other members of its “supergiant” group evolved to grow in larger proportions.

And just like its movie counterpart, the crustacean likes to linger on the “dark side” – it has only been found near the Spratly Islands at depths of around 3,900 feet, where light never penetrates. This new species is distinguished by unique segments on its legs and its massive size.

Meanwhile, B. vaderi is a sought-after delicacy in Vietnam, according to Pensoft Publishers.

Even so, there is so much scientists don’t know about the isopod’s ecology, raising concerns about overfishing.

“The scale of harvesting is a matter for concern,” co-author Conni Sidabalok told New Scientist. “It’s a challenge for all deep-sea species we fish.”

The recent findings highlight the importance of conservation, with the authors saying there is still a lot to learn about the creature.

“We know so little about their biology, so we need more studies to evaluate how best to conserve and manage this resource,” added Sidabalok.