Largest isopod

Largest isopod

Last updated: February 4, 2020 at 4:26 am

Giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) — The largest known deep sea isopod whose average length is between 19 and 36 cm (7.5 - 14.2 in), reaches up to 76 cm (30 in) and 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs). It is abundant in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans from the sublittoral zone (170 m | 560 ft) to the bathypelagic zone (2,140 m | 7,020 ft).

Lowry, J. K. and Dempsey, K. (2006). The giant deep-sea scavenger genus Bathynomus (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cirolanidae) in the Indo-West Pacific. In: Richer de Forges, B. and Justone, J.-L. (eds.), Résultats des Compagnes Musortom, vol. 24. Mémoires du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturalle, Tome 193: 163–192.

The giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus). Photo by NOAA (Public Domain)

Giant isopod (genus Bathynomus) at the Tokyo Sea Life Park. Photo by Laika ac (Creative Commons)

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