Its resemblance to the helmet of the most famous villain of the “Star Wars” saga is uncanny. So much so that scientists did not hesitate to give it its name. A new species of giant sea woodlice has just been discovered. It will bear the common name “Darth Vader”, far from its much more complicated scientific name: “Bathynomus vaderi”.
As reported by CNN, three researchers based in Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam spotted the presence of a large crustacean, fished in the seabed off the coast of Vietnam, and offered for sale in restaurants and restaurants. fishmongers in this Southeast Asian country.
More than 30 cm long with a weight of just over a kilo on the scale, this species is one of the largest giant woodlice in the world. “This disparity in size makes the discovery of such an enormous specimen particularly remarkable,” Dr. Lanna Cheng, professor emeritus of marine biology at the University of California, San Diego, told CNN.
These species of woodlice are threatened in Asia by overfishing, prized for the quality of their flesh, compared to that of lobsters, according to the study published by researchers in the journal Zookeys.
-Some rarer specimens have been sold for up to 2 million Vietnamese dong (approximately 76 euros). “These creatures don't grow very fast, and if they become a very unusual and sought-after item, we might eat them until they disappear,” Dr. Cheng said.
“Darth Vader” has some unique characteristics so far. The last segment of its hind legs tapers at the tip and curves slightly backwards. From there, to making a delicious dish?
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