this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2025
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New supergiant 'Darth Vader' sea bug discovered in South China Sea — and it's absolutely massive (www.livescience.com)
submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen giant sea bug after studying samples purchased from fishers in Vietnam.

Bathynomus vaderi belongs to the genus Bathynomus — giant isopods that are abundant in cold, deep waters. It is a "supergiant," weighing over 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) and growing up to 12.8 inches (32.5 centimeters) long, making it one of the largest known isopods.

The species is named "vaderi" because its head resembles Darth Vader's iconic helmet from "Star Wars."

...

The researchers noted that Bathynomus species have recently become a delicacy in Vietnam, often compared to lobster. The local demand has turned these sea bugs into an expensive staple of the live-seafood market, leading to increased fishing pressures in the region.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Pic in comparison to human hands

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That is nightmare fuel for me

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Is it just me or does that dude have super big hands?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I think he's holding it deceptively far from his body to make it look bigger, and it's having the same effect on his hands.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

It's like the fast food place in The Emperor's New Groove!

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 week ago (1 children)

"super giant" ... "2 pounds" ... Look guys, we're in the climate change era of doom, if you wanna use buzzwords like that, we want straight up Cthulhu

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 week ago (2 children)

places a foot-long, 2-pound bug on your head

[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 week ago

Ok not like that

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

If it wants what's in there, let that stupid big bug at it.

Or maybe it's like a cat and it's starts making biscuits (and purring).
Awww, cute.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 week ago (2 children)

But, does it taste good?!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago

They're eating them!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Anythings good when cooked cajun style

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago (2 children)

The species is named "vaderi" because its head resembles Darth Vader's iconic helmet from "Star Wars."

Does it though?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

No. It does not. At all.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 week ago

Disney dorks are so fucking pathetic and irritating

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Absolutely massive by woodlice standards, but I was promised Godzilla by that headline. I’m not upset, just disappointed.

How many lightsabers can it hold?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

As teenagers usually up to 6 (depending on the local jedi supply), but as they grow they usually stop playing with such toys bcs they look silly in their Godzilla-sized leggies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Obligatory mention of The Bay.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Everyone here freaking out, take a hard look at this next to a lobster and tell me what makes them so different? They'll be importing these to Saudi Arabia, covering them in gold leaf, and serving them to idiot billionaires for ridiculous money as a "delicacy" any moment... If it's not already happening.

[–] guiguinofake 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Goddammit we need to burn the oceans now

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

We are doing that as fast as humanly possible, it's a global coordinated effort by the whole species.
Don't you follow the news & are you not doing your part?

We far outevil some wet bugs.

[–] guiguinofake 1 points 1 week ago

We're boiling them off not burning them.