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Sometimes, new species aren’t found in the wild, but in plain sight. This is the Darth Vader supergiant isopod (Bathynomus vaderi) and it was “discovered” in seafood markets in Vietnam, where giant isopods have become somewhat of a delicacy. Image credit: Nguyen Thanh Son

Named for its resemblance to Darth Vader’s helmet, this large crustacean reaches some 32.5 cm long and weighs over 1 kilogram! Bathynomus vaderi is one of the @marinespecies.bsky.social ten remarkable new marine species from 2025, as voted for by taxonomists.

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