Scientists have discovered a new species of giant marine isopods

A group of Taiwanese, Japanese and Australian scientists have identified a new species of giant marine isopods – B. Yucatanensis, reports RT. The only so far known representative of the species was caught five years ago near the Yucatan Peninsula, lived in an aquarium in Japan, but was mistakenly assigned to one of the already known species – B. giganteus.

The study of the body structure of a giant crustacean led to the discovery of significant differences with other similar species. Bathynomus yucatanensis is reported to have more slender body proportions and shorter overall length, thinner pereiopods (thoracic limbs). In addition, scientists noticed that B. yucatanensis has more spines on its tail than B. maxeyorum, and the color of the shell is brighter.

To confirm or deny family ties with B. maxeyorum, a genetic examination was carried out. She confirmed that the discovered animal belongs to an unknown species, although it has a phylogenetic relationship with B. giganteus and probably comes from a common ancestor with it.

Marine deep-sea giant isopods belong to the order of isopod crustaceans (or isopods), like their distant terrestrial relatives woodlice. But the marine representatives of the detachment are of incredible size: some can reach a length of almost 50 cm. The length of the new specimen that excited the scientific community is 26 cm.

All types of detachment are harmless to humans.