This project is attempting to help tackle isopod taxonomy and distribution. The observations here are of the genitalia, legs, frontal shields, and tergites of (preferably male) isopods, or a DNA analysis, which make up the most definitive ways to identify them.

This paper explains the problem concisely in the first paragraph of the introduction: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.801.24146
TL;DR: Photos do not usually show the features needed for definitive identification. This is even an issue even for environmental studies, where they usually group species together if they look alike.

Essentially, each individual observed in this project will be treated as if it were a new holotype. Guide on how to prepare isopods and how to examine them coming soon. less ↑