Knowra Giant isopod Giant isopod A large deep-sea crustacean in the genus Bathynomus, found on the seafloor of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Its flattened body and overlapping armored plates resemble those of a terrestrial woodlouse.
Isopod : A crustacean in the order Isopoda, typically with a flattened body and similar limbs along much of its length. Giant isopods are exceptionally large members of this crustacean order.
Scavenging : Feeding on dead animals or other organic remains. Giant isopods often consume carcasses that reach the seafloor.
Deep-sea exploration : The investigation of ocean environments beyond the reach of ordinary surface diving. Submersibles and other deep-sea tools have made giant isopods observable in their habitat.
Woodlouse : A terrestrial isopod crustacean that lives in damp environments and feeds mainly on decaying plant matter. Woodlice are close terrestrial relatives, but are far smaller and live out of water.
Crustacean : An arthropod with a hard exoskeleton, jointed limbs, and, usually, two pairs of antennae. Isopods belong to this diverse arthropod group.
Carrion : The decaying flesh of dead animals, used as food by scavengers. Whale and fish falls can provide concentrated meals for giant isopods.
Remotely operated vehicle : An uncrewed underwater vehicle controlled from a ship or another surface station. ROVs record giant isopods without requiring human divers to reach their depths.
Amphipod : A crustacean in the order Amphipoda, generally lacking the broad, overlapping body plates of isopods. Amphipods are another abundant group of deep-sea crustaceans, with a different body form.
Exoskeleton : A rigid external covering that supports and protects an animal's body. Overlapping plates form the giant isopod's protective outer covering.
Deep-sea gigantism : The tendency for some deep-sea animals to grow larger than related shallow-water species. Giant isopods exemplify the striking large body size associated with this pattern.
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