The first record of Bathynomus kensleyi Lowry & Dempsey, 2006 (Crustacea, Isopoda) in Vietnamese seawaters.

Abstract

There are 18 species of giant isopod genus Bathynomys described recently. These giant benthic isopods often found in deep waters. In Vietnam, Bathynomus kensleyi Lowry & Dempsey, 2006 was firstly described from sample at Spratly Islands. B. kensleyi belongs to order Isopoda, previously found in Mexico Bay, Brazil, Japan, and the Philippines at more than 170 meters deep. Body length is 26 cm, head ridge above eyes discontinuous. They are scavengers and active predators of fishes, crustaceans or squids, mostly diseased or injured.