On our research on Tanjung Kait area, we were surprised by the discovery of a new species of isopod (Crustacea) in the genus Bathynomus. We found 5 of these species seen drifting on the coast towards the residential gutter area. We observed that this species has a length of around 30 cm and unlike its relatives who live in the deep sea zone, this type of Bathynomus prefers to live floating on the surface of the sea water. Its main food source is the remains of living creatures such as fish, shrimp and human waste that is thrown onto the coast. Its body shell is softer and dominated by white, with variations in blue, green and yellow.

This new species is named Bathynomus mapoko. Until now we are still collecting data on the population and distribution of Bathynomus Mapoko, but it seems that climate change and habitat degradation may have forced some Bathymonus species to migrate to new environments and adapt to become new species.

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