Meet The Mysterious Deep-Sea Giant
By: EjazUlHaqBhat
Image: X/@birdmoder
Scientists recently discovered a new species of marine crustacean in the waters around Vietnam
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Inspired by its size and appearance, they named it after the Star Wars character, Darth Vader
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The huge sea bug joins a group of mysterious deep-sea crustaceans that have remained largely unchanged for millions of years: giant isopods
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Giant isopods are a type of marine crustacean. They have 14 legs and a thick exoskeleton
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First discovered in 1879, these distant relatives of woodlice thrive in the cold, dark depths of the ocean, scavenging for food on the seafloor
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Their unusual look, size and ability to survive in extreme conditions have made them a fascinating subject for marine biologists for decades
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They have evolved several adaptations to survive the harsh deep-sea environment
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Their metabolism is incredibly slow, allowing them to survive long periods without food
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