Huge Deep Sea Bug—Er, Isopod—Discovered in Gulf of Mexico - Gizmodo

Scientists recently trapped a giant isopod off the coast of Mexico, and after studying its anatomy and DNA, they determined that the crustacean is an entirely new species.

“It is increasingly evident that species of Bathynomus may be exceedingly similar in overall appearance, and also that there is a long history of misidentification of species in the genus,” the researchers wrote.

The research team compared the new isopod species to its nearest relatives in the Gulf.

Genetic analysis also supported the new species designation, as the creature’s DNA was more like the giant isopod B.