In the depths of the South China Sea, a marine creature straight out of science fiction has been identified. This giant crustacean, named Bathynomus vaderi, so called for its resemblance to

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

Giant isopods of the genus Bathynomus, which can reach more than 30 cm in length, are known as bọ biển or "sea bugs" in Vietnam. For the first time, one such species was described from Vietnamese waters and named Bathynomus vaderi.

The species was given its name because its head looks like the helmet worn by Darth Vader in Star Wars. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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