Taxonomic revision of Bagatus (Isopoda,Asellota) with a discussion of ontogenetic polymorphism in males

Summary

A taxonomic review of 15 species comprising the genus Bagatus (Asellota, Janiridae) is presented with the following species described as new (type-localities in parenthesis): Bagatus nereus (Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil), B. triton (Belize, British Honduras) and B. brachydactylus (La Parguera, Puerto Rico).

Taxonomic characters and ontogenetic variation is discussed, and the status of dubious species clarified. B. crosslandi (Stebbing) is reinstated as a valid species; B. longimanus Pillai is considered a junior synonym of B. algicola (Miller) and B. falcifer (Barnard) a junior synonym of B. parvus (Omer-Cooper). Keys to species-groups and to species are provided together with notes on the geographical distribution and habitat.