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"Supergiant" new species of isopod discovered in the deep ocean
New Atlas ^ | By Michael Irving -------------------------- August 13, 2020

Posted on 08/14/2020 1:01:31 PM PDT by Red Badger

A close-up of Bathynomus raksasa, a new species of "supergiant" isopod 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. S JADE 2018

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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. S JADE 2018

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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 isopodsNational University of Singapore

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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


TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bathynomusraksasa; cryptobiology; godsgravesglyphs
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To: Red Badger

Bathynomus raksasa, the holotype.

Now there is a internet name if I ever saw one.


41 posted on 08/14/2020 5:22:45 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: mewzilla

Pretty sure that was a creature in some horror flick.


42 posted on 08/14/2020 7:14:32 PM PDT by Moonlighter
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To: mewzilla

Pretty sure that was a creature in some horror flick.


43 posted on 08/14/2020 7:14:35 PM PDT by Moonlighter
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To: Red Badger

I’ll bring the bibs...


44 posted on 08/15/2020 2:22:19 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Isopod that no one else can even be called pod. :^)

45 posted on 08/15/2020 11:58:20 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Red Badger
It’s not really. It’s closest relative is your common garden roly-poly pill bug.............

Yuck.

They taste like ammonia.

46 posted on 08/15/2020 12:55:57 PM PDT by null and void (Quarantine the sick. Shield the vulnerable. Free everyone else!)
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To: SunkenCiv

New fad among college students: The isopod challenge.


47 posted on 08/15/2020 1:03:26 PM PDT by Redcitizen (Nobody needs a 10 round magazine. You need a 30 round magazine. Yeah)
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To: SunkenCiv; sauropod
Isopod that no one else can even be called pod. :^)

Not even sauropod?

48 posted on 08/15/2020 1:05:35 PM PDT by null and void (Quarantine the sick. Shield the vulnerable. Free everyone else!)
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To: Red Badger

interesting.


49 posted on 08/15/2020 3:19:25 PM PDT by Godebert
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To: GulfMan

I believe it is an actual photo but is the subject of the photo real? I sometimes take real photos of fake stuff.


50 posted on 08/15/2020 5:14:59 PM PDT by ThanhPhero
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To: mewzilla

I have no idea what these deep sea isopods taste like personally but Ive been told they taste like shrimp.


51 posted on 08/15/2020 7:03:47 PM PDT by gnarledmaw (Hive minded liberals worship leaders, sovereign conservatives elect servants.)
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To: RinaseaofDs

The Roly-poly is it’s cousin. The Roly-Poly (Pill Bug) is actually a land based crustacean!............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillidiidae


52 posted on 08/17/2020 5:13:05 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: RinaseaofDs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_isopod


53 posted on 08/17/2020 5:19:55 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: sphinx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_isopod

They are abundant in the cold, deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans...................


54 posted on 08/17/2020 5:21:29 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: sphinx

Trilobites were arthropods.

Giant Sea Roaches are isopods.............


55 posted on 08/17/2020 5:23:51 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: 21twelve

They would stink very quickly...........Unlike the Roly-Poly which is a land based crustacean and can breathe air in its gills, these giant ones can’t...........


56 posted on 08/17/2020 5:26:13 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: null and void

You ate a pill bug?.................


57 posted on 08/17/2020 5:26:52 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: Red Badger

Technically, no...


58 posted on 08/17/2020 5:28:58 AM PDT by null and void (Quarantine the sick. Shield the vulnerable. Free everyone else!)
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To: null and void

Spoiled shrimp and lobster does have an ammonia taste..................


59 posted on 08/17/2020 5:32:24 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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To: 21twelve

Go to any rocky beach at low tide and you can see the small (1-2 inch)version of these giants scuddering all over the rocks................


60 posted on 08/17/2020 5:39:11 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said "There is no marriage in Heaven." ... That's why they call it Heaven............)
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