Bathynomus giganteus

(Milne-Edwards, 1879)

Vernacular names
English : Giant isopod
French : Isopode géant

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Isopoda
Family : Cirolanidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 50 cm in length for a weight of 1.7 kg. Huge isopod with oval-shaped carapace and domed back. Carapace composed of 14 articulated segments fitted with a pair of legs. Coloration grey-pink to purplish.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in western Atlantic Ocean, from Antilles to the Amazon river estuary. Also in Gulf of Bengal, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Lives in muddy bottoms in deep seas, from 170 to 2140 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species can be locally abundant according to food resources, although it can go off feed for years. Not known to face any threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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