Giant Isopods are usually pretty identifiable by their uncanny similarity to the much smaller woodlouse (pill bug). However, they are not related whatsoever, the giant isopod is a crustacean (closer related to shrimp and crabs). There are almost 20 different species of large isopods. these deep-sea crustaceans are found in abundance in the deep, cold waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
These interesting creatures were first discovered in 1879 by the French zoologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards. These giant isopods, as well as giant squids, serve as some of the best examples of deep-sea gigantism. This is where deep-sea dwelling animals tend to be larger than their shallower-water relatives. It is suggested that the reason behind this could be because of scarcer food resources, greater pressure, or colder temperature at depth.
These isopods serve as important scavengers in the deep-sea benthic environment. They are usually found at depths of 170 meters (560 ft) all the way down to 2,140 meters (7,020 ft). At this depth, the pressures can be extremely high while the temperature is extremely low. However, they are most commonly found at a depth between 365 and 730 meters (1,198 and 2,395 feet).
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