Biology

"Supergiant" new species of isopod discovered in the deep ocean

View 3 Images
A close-up of Bathynomus raksasa, a new species of "supergiant" isopod
SJADE 2018
A close-up of Bathynomus raksasa, a new species of "supergiant" isopod
SJADE 2018
Bathynomus raksasa can grow to well over 30 cm (11.8 in) – more than 30 times larger than most isopods
National University of Singapore
The female specimen of Bathynomus raksasa, seen from above and below
SJADE 2018
View gallery - 3 images

All kinds of fascinating discoveries are likely lying in wait for us in the deep sea. Now scientists have pulled a new monster out of the waters off the coast of Indonesia. The creature is a new species of “supergiant” isopod, a huge marine relative of the common pillbug.

The discovery was made during the South Java Deep Sea Biodiversity Expedition 2018 (SJADES 2018). At depths between 950 and 1,260 m (3,115 and 4,135 ft), the team found two specimens of giant isopods that were soon determined to belong to a new species.

The female specimen of Bathynomus raksasa, seen from above and below
SJADE 2018

Named Bathynomus raksasa, the holotype, or physical specimen that serves as the basis for the description and name of the new species, is a male that was measured to be 36.3 cm (14.3 in) long, which puts it among the largest giant isopods ever found. The second specimen was a female measuring 29.8 cm (11.7 in). Along with being bigger on average, the team noted other differences when compared to the closest known species, Bathynomus giganteus, including smoother “skin” and different body proportions and shapes.

“The identification of this new species is an indication of just how little we know about the oceans,” says Helen Wong, an author of the study. “There is certainly more for us to explore in terms of biodiversity in the deep sea of our region.”

The team says that the discovery is an example of deep-sea gigantism, an observation that some creatures that dwell in the deep tend to grow much bigger than their relatives in shallower waters or on land. Most isopods measure less than 10 mm (0.4 in) in length, but the 20 species in the “supergiant” Bathynomus genus grow to be more than 30 times larger.

Bathynomus raksasa can grow to well over 30 cm (11.8 in) – more than 30 times larger than most isopods
National University of Singapore

In the past few years we’ve seen many new species reeled in from the deep oceans, including the deepest-dwelling fish in the world, hairy-chested “Hoff” crabs, eye-catching neon fish, and the longest animal ever recorded – a floating zooid colony measuring 47 m (154 ft) long.

The new study was published in the journal ZooKeys.

Source: National University of Singapore

View gallery - 3 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
10 comments
los_kiosk
If only they would find some living trilobites!
paul314
I'm really glad those things are (currently) limited to the deepest oceans.
anthony88
Crayfish alternative?
SSD
A distant relative of the common woodlouse, almost identical body except on steroids!
Kitzbuhel
Giant roach
ljaques
Do the legs wrap around your head and the tail go down your throat? Say Hello to Ripley for me.
toni24
Oh goody, a giant rollypolly just what the world needs
Gregory Mitchell
How are these different from and not trilobites?
Lori Beagell
What does this creature eat? What are they good for, can we,eat them? Maybe use for medicine?
christopher
Yeah, yeah,... but what do they TASTE like ?