Giant Deep-Sea Creature Hiding in Museum Collection for Decades Identified as Member of a New Species

**Rediscovered Isopod in German Collection Identified as New Species**

In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, researchers have confirmed that a giant isopod specimen housed in a German university collection for over 40 years belongs to a previously unknown species. The crustacean, which measures approximately 32.2 centimetres (12.7 inches) long, was originally brought to Germany from Puerto Rico in the 1980s and has now been named Bathynomus tuebingoborikensis.

The discovery, carried out by a team at the University of Tübingen, highlights the importance of utilising modern imaging technology to re-examine existing specimens. Benedikt Kästle, a paleontology student, collaborated with Dr. Ingmar Werneburg, the curator of the university’s Paleontological Collection, to conduct this research, which has been documented in the journal *Scientific Reports*.

The new species was named to honour both the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico and the university’s location, as “Boríken” is the Indigenous Taíno name for the island. The specimen was initially acquired by Dolf Seilacher, a renowned paleontologist, who collected it while working at a research station in Puerto Rico. It was later brought back to Germany for educational purposes, where it has remained undisturbed until recent investigations shed light on its taxonomy.

Giant isopods, which resemble oversized versions of pill bugs or roly-polies, are a group of crustaceans that inhabit the ocean’s depths. These creatures are known for their robust, segmented bodies, with some individuals reaching sizes of up to 20 inches. They typically dwell at significant depths, with documented sightings as low as 2,500 metres (approximately 8,200 feet) below the surface.

Researchers believe that the discovery of Bathynomus tuebingoborikensis could provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of giant isopods. The newly identified species has shown a close genetic relationship with another giant isopod previously discovered off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, which may reveal data about its evolutionary development and dispersal patterns across the globe.

According to Dr. Werneburg, the origins of these giant crustaceans can be traced back over 15 million years to the Gulf of Mexico, a period during which significant geological shifts allowed marine species to migrate freely between regions. At that time, the Isthmus of Panama was not yet formed, meaning that there was an oceanic passage connecting North and South America. This enabled the ancestors of giant isopods to travel as far as Japan in their evolutionary journey.

Over the millennia, as various climates evolved, these creatures adapted uniquely. Approximately 5.3 million years ago, during a significant cooling period on Earth, a particularly large lineage of isopods thrived and expanded from Australia through Antarctic waters and into the Americas. The recently recognised Puerto Rican specimen fits into this evolutionary narrative, thus providing scientists with a clearer view of the lineage and distribution of these colossal marine crustaceans.

The identification of a new species from an existing museum collection underlines the importance of continuously examining archived specimens. This finding demonstrates that even long-forgotten specimens can yield significant scientific knowledge and contribute valuable information about biodiversity and evolutionary processes.

As marine environments continue to face threats from climate change and human activities, understanding the complex history and evolution of species like the giant isopod is paramount. The identification of Bathynomus tuebingoborikensis not only enriches our understanding of isopod evolution but also underscores the ongoing need for research into marine life, both known and yet to be discovered.