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The effects of climate change on species distribution are typically inferred based on species distribution models (SDMs) that do not account for the dispersal ability of species. Here we investigated the utility of dispersal ability measures in predicting the distribution of 10 Platycerus species in Japan, which are cold‐adapted stag beetles sharing ecological and morphological features. We generated three SDMs based on environmental variables without dispersal constraint and incorporating two alternative dispersal constraint scenarios. We compared these three models with respect to SDM performance and the predicted degree of range overlap between neighbouring species. Using the best models among three SDMs, we predicted range shifts under climate change. Additionally, we characterised environmental differences among species distributional areas. Our results revealed that models incorporating dispersal constraints had better predictive performance. Platycerus delicatulus occupied a largest suitable habitat and P. sue had a narrow range in Japan. Most of Platycerus taxa in 2070 were predicted to lose large portions of present suitable areas. Moreover, environment was confirmed to affect the distribution of the targeted species. Incorporating dispersal ability to better understand the effects of climate change on the species ranges is a crucial step towards developing policies for insect management and conservation of vulnerable species.

Adult females of stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) possess an ovipositor-associated mycangium for conveying symbiotic microorganisms. In most lucanid species, their mycangium contains yeast symbionts of the genus Scheffersomyces Kurtzman & M. Suzuki, 2010 that are known for their xylose-fermenting capability. The lucanid genus Platycerus Geoffroy, 1762 is a group of small blue stag beetles, in which ten Japanese species constitute a monophyletic clade. Here we examined the evolutionary relationships of these Japanese Platycerus species and their yeast symbionts, together with a Korean Platycerus species and other lucanid species as outgroup taxa. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences, the yeast symbionts of all Platycerus species were closely related to each other and formed a monophyletic clade. There is no variation in ITS sequences of the yeast symbionts of the Japanese Platycerus species. Based on IGS sequences, the yeast symbionts formed clusters that largely reflected the geographic distribution of the host insects, being shared by sympatric Platycerus species except for P. delicatulus Lewis, 1883 and P. viridicuprus Kubota, Kubota & Otobe, 2008. The symbiont phylogeny was globally not congruent with the host COI-based phylogeny, although some local congruences were observed. Statistically significant correlations were detected between the genetic distances of COI sequences of the host insects and those of IGS sequences of the yeast symbionts in Japan. These results suggest that, at least to some extent, the host insects and the yeast symbionts may have experienced co-evolutionary associations. While the Japanese Platycerus species formed a monophyletic clade in the COI phylogeny, the yeast symbionts of Japanese P. viridicuprus were very closely related to those of Korean P. hongwonpyoi Imura & Choe, 1989, suggesting the possibility that a recent secondary contact of the two beetle species during a marine withdrawal, e.g., in the last glacial period, might have resulted in an inter-specific horizontal transmission of the yeast symbiont.

Among insect-fungus relationships, xylose-fermenting Scheffersomyces yeasts are well known for their potential in utilizing wood hemicelluloses and their association with various wood-feeding insects. However, their specificity to host insects or strain-level diversity within host species has not been clearly elucidated. In the insect family Lucanidae, larvae usually feed on decaying wood, and adult females consistently possess a fungus-storage organ, called the mycangium, near the abdominal tip. Here the authors investigated host-symbiont relationships between Scheffersomyces yeast symbionts and small blue stag beetles of the genus Platycerus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in East Asia by using intergenic spacer (IGS) region as a genetic marker. All yeast strains isolated from the female mycangium of three Platycerus species, P. hongwonpyoi from Korea and P. acuticollis and P. delicatulus from Japan, were allied to Scheffersomyces segobiensis based on the sequences of the nrDNA 26S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), in which no sequence difference was observed among those strains. However, IGS regions showed clear genetic differentiation within the yeast symbionts of P. hongwonpyoi, as well as between those of Korean and Japanese Platycerus species. In the IGS sequences, nucleotide substitutions were mainly distributed in the whole stretch of IGS1 and the anterior half of IGS2, whereas nucleotide gaps were localized at IGS1 and the middle of IGS2. Despite the conserved association between the Platycerus beetles and the specific strains of S. segobiensis in East Asia, geophylogenetic divergence patterns of the yeast symbionts were not concordant with those of the insect hosts.

We examined the genetic divergence of Platycerus hongwonpyoi Imura & Choe, 1989 in South Korea using the nuclear wingless (Wg) gene, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. We found no variation in Wg or ITS. Based on COI, P. hongwonpyoi was split into four well defined and one weakly supported clades, which were inferred to have diverged 2.11–1.33 Ma. The Platycerus hongwonpyoi population size seems to have decreased during the past several tens of thousands of years. The divergence times of major clades of P. hongwonpyoi were comparable with those involved in the speciation of certain Japanese species. Frequent overlapping of different clades at the same sites suggests the occurrence of secondary gene flow following differentiation in South Korea. In conclusion, the genus Platycerus underwent strikingly different divergence patterns in South Korea compared with Japan according to the disparate topographies of these two geographical areas.

A locality record of Platycerus caprea (De Geer, 1774) from Northern Albania is given; it is the first verified one for the country, due to the existing confusion concerning the old records of the two closely related species of the stag beetles P. caprea and P. caraboides caraboides (Linnaeus, 1758). A locality record for Dorcus parallelipipedus (Linnaeus, 1758) is also given., {"references":["Bartolozzi, Luca & Cianfanelli, Simone (2018) New record of Platycerus caprea (De Geer, 1774) from Albania (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Onychium, 14: 131-134"]}

This study presents the first extensive distributional checklist of all the species of Lucanidae (Coleoptera) recorded from Turkey. A total of 13 species and 4 subspecies belonging to 4 genera of Lucanidae are listed from Turkey. New locality records, distributional records and ecological data are given. Because of reduced populations, some of these species under the threat of extinction in Turkey are in the IUCN Red List. It is important to protect them. Therefore, one aim of this study is to draw attention to these threatened species in Turkey and to add new information about them since not many studies have been conducted on these species.

Molecular phylogenies of the genus Platycerus in Japan were characterized based on the nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. These analyses, combined with our previous morphological information, revealed a detailed diversification process of Platycerus in Japan, as well as estimates of their divergence times. Japanese species were monophyletic and were inferred to have diverged to the acuticollis species group and all other species ca 1.69 Mya. The acuticollis species group then appeared to split into P. viridicuprus and a group including P. takakuwai, P. albisomni and P. acuticollis ca 1.26 Mya. Other specific divergences have occurred primarily since ca 0.33 Mya. Comparing the molecular trees and the morphological tree, we also found introgression of the COI gene in some species. Genetic divergence of Platycerus has occurred intensely in southwestern Japan.

The male endophallic morphology and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of two parapatric species of the acuticollis species group, Platycerus acuticollis and P. albisomni, were examined at the border between the two species. No morphologically inferred hybrid was found. The endophallic and mitochondrial types of each individual were significantly linked, and the two species inferred by both types were essentially parapatric even at a very local level. We inferred that the reproductive isolation between them is high, although introgressive hybridization occurred rarely. The taxonomical assignment of P. acuticollis and P. albisomni as two distinct species is considered appropriate.

A checklist of the genus Platycerus Geoffroy is updated. A method for the observation of endophallus is introduced and used for the study of four species of Platycerus from China. The morphology of Chinese species of Platycerus is reviewed, and all the useful morphological characters are clarified. A character matrix is made to accumulate all the current information on morphology of Chinese species. Platycerus yingqii sp. nov. is described from the northern slope of Mount Taibaishan, southern Shaanxi, China. This new species is similar to Platycerus rugosus, but can be distinguished by male with a browner dorsal surface, remarkably shorter tarsi, lighter and redder ventrites, shorter gap between incisor teeth and mola, male genitalia with different endophallus, female with shorter metatarsi, and female genitalia with the inner apex of hemisternite not protruding beyond the outer apex. The morphological characters of the other three species from China are also studied. A key to the geographical species groups of Platycerus is presented. Keys to the Chinese species are provided for both males and females. Finally some natural history notes are given for some species of Platycerus from China.

The status of Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke, generally treated as a synonym of P. marginalis Casey, has been unclear. Here we recognize and redescribe P. cribripennis, which is endemic to the coastal mountains of California, as a valid species due to its unique morphology. A key to the Platycerus of California is presented, and the distributions of the recognized species are discussed.

The synonyms assigned to some species of Callicentrus Stål, 1869 are revised, resulting: for Callicentrus bonasia (Fabricius, 1775) and Centrotus flavivitta Walker, 1851 the respective synonyms are removed. The species Centrotus aurifascia Walker, 1851, C. jucundus Walker, 1851, and C. platycerus Walker, 1851 are reinstated in Callicentrus. Three new species are described, all from Jamaica: Callicentrus delicatus sp. nov., C. ramosi sp. nov., and C. rubripes sp. nov. All of the treated species are figured.

While reviewing the literature, we discovered problems and confusion with three species of North American Lucanidae that require clarification and correction. The name Platycerus quercus (Weber, 1801) (Lucaninae: Platycerini) (formerly Platycerus virescens (Fabricius, 1775)) is revalidated since the Fabricius name is correctly classified as Temnochila virescens (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae). Since there was much confusion over the classification of the name Temnochila virescens (Fabricius, 1775), a neotype is designated for this species. We use a reversal of precedence under Article 23.9.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to give Lucanus piceusWeber, 1801 nomen protectum (now Ceruchus piceus (Weber, 1801), Syndesinae) precedence over the primary homonym Lucanus piceusBonsdorff, 1785nomen oblitum (now a junior synonym of Ceruchus chrysomelinus (Hochenwarth, 1785)). To clarify the author and date of Lucanus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Lucaninae: Lucanini), we detail the origin of the name. An updated checklist of the Lucanidae of North America north of Mexico is provided.

The endemic North American stag beetle tribe Platyceroidini Paulsen & Hawks (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae) is reviewed. All primary types were studied and the existing generic and species concepts are subsequently corrected. Based on study of the male genitalia and external morphology, the previously monotypic genus Platyceropsis Benesh is reduced to subgeneric status under Platyceroides Benesh, new status, and the species Platyceroides laticollis (Casey) and Platyceroides keeni (Casey) new combination are transferred to this subgenus . Praocerus, new subgenus, is created to contain the species Platyceroides latus (Fall), and P. viriditinctus (Benesh). In the nominal subgenus, confusion has resulted from the historic misapplication of the oldest available name, Platyceroides agassii (LeConte), resulting in significant underestimation of the number of extant taxa. Lectotypes are designated for four species-group names (listed in their original combinations): Platycerus latus Fall, Platycerus opacus Fall, Platycerus pacificus Casey, and Platycerus parvicollis Casey. Four new species ( Platyceroides barrae, P. infernus , P. pampinatus , and P. umpquus ) are described from California and Oregon, United States of America. The following species are valid and are removed from synonymy with P. agassii : P. pacificus (Casey), revised status, and P. californicus (Casey), revised status. The synonym Platycerus parvicollis Casey is transferred from Platyceroides agassii to P. californicus, new synonymy. With the addition of four new species and the correction of the mistaken synonymies the total number of species in the tribe Platyceroidini is now 16.

Platycerus primigenius Weise, 1960 (Figs. 14–15) Platycerus primigenius Weise, 1960: 139. Distribution. Caucasus (Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax 2006); Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran (Imura 2010). Distribution in Iran. Iran (without precise locality) (Imura 2010). Remarks. The species was not recorded for Iran by Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax (2006) but was reported for the country by Imura (2010), without precise locality. Iablokov-Khnzorian (1967) and Baraud (1993) consider this species to be a synonym of P. caraboides. The taxonomy of the Caucasian Platycerus species seems still rather confused and a revision is necessary., Published as part of Bartolozzi, Luca, Ghahari, Hassan, Sprecher-Uebersax, Eva & Zilioli, Michele, 2014, A checklist of stag beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) from Iran, pp. 422-436 in Zootaxa 3887 (3) on pages 428-429, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3887.4.2, http://zenodo.org/record/224822, {"references":["Weise, E. (1960) Die palaarktischen Arten der Gattung Platycerus Fourcr. (Col., Lucanidae). Entomologische Blatter, 56, 133 - 149.","Bartolozzi, L. & Sprecher-Uebersax, E. (2006) Lucanidae. In: Lobl, I. & Smetana, A. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera. Vol. 3. Scarabaeoidea - Scirtoidea - Dascilloidea - Buprestoidea - Byrrhoidea. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark, pp. 63 - 77.","Imura, Y. (2010) The genus Platycerus of East Asia. Taita Publishers, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, 240 pp.","Iablokov-Khnzorian, S. M. (1967) Nasekomye zhestkokrylye. Fauna Armyanskoy SSR. Tom VI. Plastinchatousye (Scarabaeoidea). Akademia nauk Armyanskoy SSR, Yerevan, Armenia, 223 pp. [in Russian]","Baraud, J. (1993) Les Coleopteres Lucanoidea de l'Europe et du Nord de l'Afrique. Bulletin mensuel de la Societe linneenne de Lyon, 62, 42 - 64."]}

Platycerus caraboides caraboides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Figs. 12–13) Scarabaeus caraboides Linnaeus, 1758: 354. Distribution. Widely distributed Palaearctic species (see Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax 2006). Distribution in Iran. Guilan (Sakenin et al. 2008), Iran (Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax 2006, Bunalski et al. 2014, without precise locality). Remarks. The records of this species for Iran (Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax 2006; Sakenin et al. 2008, Bunalski et al. 2014) need to be verified. Platycerus primigenius Weise, 1960 lives in the Caucasus region and it is possible that the records of P. caraboides in fact refer to this taxon (see below); the closely related P. caucasicus Parry, 1864 was also recorded from Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Russia (Bartolozzi & Sprecher-Uebersax 2006), and Turkey (Imura 2010). Gusakov (2003) described P. perplexus Gusakov, 2003 and P. vicinus Gusakov, 2003 from Caucaus (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia), so the status and complete distribution of these species also needs to be verified. Platycerus caraboides caraboides was recorded on Acer velutinum (Sapindaceae) in Iran by Sakenin et al. (2008)., Published as part of Bartolozzi, Luca, Ghahari, Hassan, Sprecher-Uebersax, Eva & Zilioli, Michele, 2014, A checklist of stag beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) from Iran, pp. 422-436 in Zootaxa 3887 (3) on page 428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3887.4.2, http://zenodo.org/record/224822, {"references":["Bartolozzi, L. & Sprecher-Uebersax, E. (2006) Lucanidae. In: Lobl, I. & Smetana, A. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera. Vol. 3. Scarabaeoidea - Scirtoidea - Dascilloidea - Buprestoidea - Byrrhoidea. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark, pp. 63 - 77.","Sakenin, H., Eslami, B., Samin, N., Imani, S., Shirdel, F. & Havaskary, M. (2008) A contribution to the most important trees and shrubs as the hosts of wood-boring beetles in different regions of Iran and identification of many natural enemies. Plant and Ecosystem, 16, 27 - 46. [in Persian, English abstract]","Bunalski, M., Samin, N., Ghahari, H. & Hawkeswood, T. (2014) Contributions to the knowledge [of] the scarab beetles of Golestan province, northern Iran with checklist of Iranian Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera). Polish Journal of Entomology, 83, 141 - 170.","Weise, E. (1960) Die palaarktischen Arten der Gattung Platycerus Fourcr. (Col., Lucanidae). Entomologische Blatter, 56, 133 - 149.","Imura, Y. (2010) The genus Platycerus of East Asia. Taita Publishers, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, 240 pp.","Gusakov, A. A. (2003) New species of the lamellicorn beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae, Scarabaeidae) from the Palaearctic region. Bulletin of the Moscow Society of Naturalists, 108, 26 - 30. [in Russian, English abstract]"]}

Descriptions of the adults of the two species of Dicoelothorax Ashmead, Dicoelothorax parviceps and Dicoelothorax platycerus, and the eggs, planidia and pupae of Dicoelothorax platycerus Ashmead are provided. Females of Dicoelothorax platycerus deposit their eggs on the underside of leaves of Pseudabutilon virgatum (Cav.) Fryxell (Malvaceae). The host of Dicoelothorax platycerus is Ectatomma brunneum Smith (Formicidae: Ectatomminae). Fil: Torrens, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Transferencia Tecnológica de Anillaco; Argentina Fil: Heraty, John M.. University of California; Estados Unidos

Checklist of Platycerus of the world Platycerus Geoffroy, 1762 = Systenocerus Weise, 1883 = Systenus Sharp & Muir, 1912 Type species: Scarabaeus caraboides Linnaeus, 1758 North American species 1: 1. Platycerus depressus LeConte, 1850 —northeastern USA & Canada = Platycerus piceus Kirby, 1837 (unavailable name) 2 2. Platycerus marginalis Casey, 1897 —western North America = Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke, 1928 (synonym) 3. Platycerus oregonensis Westwood, 1844 —western North America = Platycerus coerulescens LeConte, 1869 (synonym) = Platycerus chalybaeus Casey, 1897 (synonym) 4. Platycerus virescens (Fabricius, 1775) (Lucanus)—eastern & central USA, Canada = Lucanus quercus Weber, 1801 (synonym) = Lucanus securidens Say, 1823 (synonym) = Platycerus quercus angustus Casey, 1909 (synonym) = Platycerus quercus iowanus Casey, 1909 (synonym) = Platycerus peregrinus Casey, 1909 (synonym) European and western Asian species 3: 5. Platycerus caprea (De Geer, 1774) (Lucanus)—Europe 6. Platycerus caraboides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeus) — Europe, Syria, Iran, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia = Platycerus azureus Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) = Platycerus caerulosus Didier & Seguy, 1953 (possible synonym) 4 = Carabus coerulescens Uddman, 1753 (synonym) = Platycerus chalybaeus MacLeay, 1819 (synonym) 5 = Platycerus chlorizans Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) 5 = Platycerus coeruleus Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) 5 = Platycerus cribratus Mulsant & Rey, 1863 (synonym) = Platycerus diabolus Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) 6 = Platycerus nigripes MacLeay, 1819 (synonym) 6 = Platycerus pseudocaprea Paulus, 1970 (synonym) 7 = Lucanus rufipes Herbst, 1790 (synonym) = Platycerus trivialis Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) = Platycerus virescens Mulsant, 1842 (synonym) = Platycerus viridiaeneus Mulsant, 1842 (synonym) = Platycerus viridicollis Depoli, 1917 (synonym) = Platycerus viridis Dalla Torre, 1879 (synonym) 7. Platycerus primigenius Weise, 1960 — Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran 8. Platycerus senguni Schweiger, 1966 — Turkey 9. Platycerus spinifer Schaufuss, 1862 — France, Portugal, Spain 10. Platycerus caucasicus Parry, 1864 —Caucasus, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan 11. Platycerus delagrangei Fairmaire, 1892 — Turkey, Syria 12. Platycerus perplexus Gusakov, 2003 — Azerbaijan, NE Georgia, Russia 13. Platycerus vicinus Gusakov, 2003 — Georgia, N Armenia Japanese species: 14. Platycerus acuticollis acuticollis Kurosawa, 1969 — Japan 15. Platycerus acuticollis takakuwai Fujita, 1987 — Japan 8 Platycerus acuticollis akitai Fujita, 1987 — Japan 8 Platycerus acuticollis namedai Fujita, 1987 — Japan 8 16. Platycerus delicatulus delicatulus Lewis, 1883 — Japan Platycerus delicatulus unzendakensis Fujita & Ichikawa, 1982 — Japan 17. Platycerus kawadai Fujita & Ichikawa, 1982 — Japan 18. Platycerus sugitai Okuda & Fujita, 1987 — Japan 19. Platycerus urushiyamai Imura, 2007 — Japan 20. Platycerus akitaorum Imura, 2007 — Japan 21. Platycerus sue Imura, 2007 — Japan Chinese species (Fig. 158): 22. Platycerus hongwonpyoi hongwonpyoi Imura & Choe, 1989 — South Korea = Platycerus hongwonpyoi merkli Imura & Choe, 1989 (synonym?)— North Korea Platycerus hongwonpyoi mongolicus Imura & Bartolozzi, 2006 —Inner Mongolia (Ao-han-qi) Platycerus hongwonpyoi qinlingensis Imura, 1993 —Shaanxi (Qinling) = Platycerus hongwonpyoi dabashanensis Okuda, 1997 (synonym?)—Chongqing (Dabashan) = Platycerus hongwonpyoi funiuensis Imura, 2006 (synonym?)—Henan (Funiushan) = Platycerus hongwonpyoi shennongjianus Imura, 2008 (synonym?)—Hubei (Shennongjia) Platycerus hongwonpyoi tianmushanus Imura & Wan, 2006 —Zhejiang (Tianmushan) 23. Platycerus tabanai tabanai Okuda & Tanikado, 1994 —Shaanxi (Qinling) = Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis Okuda, 2003 (synonym?)—Shaanxi (Qinling) Platycerus tabanai baotianmanus Imura, 2006 —Henan (Funiushan) 24. Platycerus rugosus Okuda, 1997 —Chongqing (Dabashan), NE Sichuan (Micangshan) 25. Platycerus yingqii Huang & Chen, 2009 —Shaanxi (Qinling) 26. Platycerus dundai Imura & Bartolozzi, 1994 —W Sichuan (Luding) = Platycerus benesi Imura & Bartolozzi, 1994 (synonym) 9 Platycerus dundai miyatakei Tanikado & Tabana, 1997 —S Sichuan (Jinyang) 10 27. Platycerus cupreimicans Imura, 2006: 121 —Yunnan 28. Platycerus feminatus Tanikado & Tabana, 1997 —S Sichuan (Daliangshan) 29. Platycerus tieguanzi Imura, 2007 —C Sichuan (Omeishan) 30. Platycerus tangi Imura, 2008 —NC Sichuan (Maoxian) 31. Platycerus cyanidraconis Imura, 2008 —NC Sichuan (Maoxian) 32. Platycerus businskyi Imura, 1996 —Shaanxi (Qinling) 33. Platycerus bashanicus Imura & Tanikado, 1998 —Chongqing (Dabashan) 11 34. Platycerus consimilis consimilis Tanikado & Tabana, 1998 —NC Sichuan (Lixian) Platycerus consimilis phagophilus Imura, 2005 —NE Sichuan (Micangshan) 35. Platycerus yeren Imura, 2008 —Hubei (Shennongjia) 36. Platycerus nagahatai Imura, 2008 —Shaanxi (Qinling) 37. Platycerus ladyae Imura, 2006 —W Sichuan (Erlangshan) 38. Platycerus hiurai Tanikado & Tabana, 1997 —S Sichuan (Daliangshan) Platycerus hiurai tanikadoi Imura, 2002 —C Sichuan (Xilingxueshan) 39. Platycerus kitawakii Imura & Tanikado, 1998 —Chongqing (Dabashan) 40. Platycerus turnai Imura, 2001 —Hubei (Shennongjia) Fossil species: 41. Platycerus sepultus Germar, 1837 —Oligocene, Germany 42. Platycerus zherichini Nikolajev, 1990 —Oligocene, Russia Notes on the checklist: As there are numerous discrepancies between our checklist and the latest published catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera (Lobl & Smetana 2006), we provided the following explanations for all of the discrepancies. 1. The synonymic list of American species follows Paulsen (2008). 2. According to Paulsen (2005, 2008), Benesh (1946) erroneously used the name Platycerus piceus Kirby, but that name is not available as it is based on a misidentification of Ceruchus piceus (Weber). 3. The synonymic list of European and western Asian species follows Lobl & Smetana (2006). 4. According to Imura (1994 b, 2006 d), Platycerus caerulosus Didier & Seguy is no different from P. caraboides in male genitalia, and it has not been rediscovered in China or even in adjacent areas. The most likely explanation is that the type series was mislabelled from Hunan (Hong-Jang-Hsien). 5. Platycerus chalybaeus MacLeay, Platycerus chlorizans Dalla Torre, and Platycerus coeruleus Dalla Torre were treated as synonyms of Platycerus caucasicus (Parry) by Maes (2008). 6. Platycerus diabolus Dalla Torre and Platycerus nigripes MacLeay were treated as synonyms of Platycerus delagrangei Fairmaire by Maes (2008). 7. Platycerus pseudocaprea Paulus was treated as a valid species by Maes (2008). 8. According to Imura (2007 b), the following three taxa: Platycerus acuticollis takakuwai Fujita, Platycerus acuticollis akitai Fujita, and Platycerus acuticollis namedai Fujita constitute a species independent from Platycerus acuticollis Kurosawa, but the formal revision has not been published yet. 9. Platycerus benesi Imura & Bartolozzi was recently synonymized with Platycerus dundai Imura & Bartolozzi by Imura (2005 c). This species exhibits great individual variation. 10. Platycerus dundai miyatakei Tanikado & Tabana was originally described as a valid species but was subsequently downgraded by Imura (2005 c) as a subspecies of Platycerus dundai Imura & Bartolozzi 11. Platycerus bashanicus Imura & Tanikado was originally described as a subspecies of Platycerus businskyi Imura, but was subsequently given full species rank by Imura (2006 b).

Platycerus yingqii Huang & Chen, sp. nov. Type material. Holotype (Fig. 1): CHINA: Shaanxi Prov.: 3, Bao-ji City, Mei-xian County, Mt. Taibaishan, Kai-tian-guan 1800m, 26.V. 2008, H.Huang & X.-D. Yang leg. (SHNU). Paratypes (Figs. 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16): CHINA: Shaanxi Prov.: 33, 3 ƤƤ, same data as for the holotype (13, 1 Ƥ in BMNH; 13, 1 Ƥ in CHH; 13, 1 Ƥ in CCCC). Description. The description for those “discrete” characters can be found in the character matrix (Table 1) or in the numbered part of the above stated list of characters. The description for those “continuous” characters can be found in the unnumbered part of the list of characters in which the new species are compared with Platycerus rugosus, Platycerus kitawakii, and Platycerus hongwonpyoi mongolicus. Measurement. Body-length measured from apex of mandible to terminal tip of elytra: 11 mm for male holotype, 10.5–11.5 mm for male paratypes, and 9.7– 11 mm for female paratypes. Length of elytra: 6.5 mm for male holotype, 6.2–6.9 mm for male paratypes, 6.0–7.0 mm for female paratypes. Length of protibia: 2.5 mm for male holotype, 2.5–2.8 mm for male paratypes, 1.8–2.2 mm for female paratypes. Length of mesotibia: 2.6 mm for male holotype, 2.5–2.6 mm for male paratypes, 1.9–2.2 mm for female paratypes. Length of mesotarsi: 2.7 mm for male holotype, 2.7–3.0 mm for male paratypes, 1.7–1.8 mm for female paratypes. Length of metatibia: 2.8 mm for male holotype, 2.8–3.0 mm for male paratypes, 2.3–2.6 mm for female paratypes. Length of metatarsi: 2.8 mm for male holotype, 2.8–3.0 mm for male paratypes, 1.3–1.5 mm for female paratypes. Ratio of mesotarsi length to mesotibia length: 1.04 for male holotype, 1.04–1.15 for male paratypes, 0.84–0.89 for female paratypes. Ratio of metatarsi length to metatarsi length: 1.00 for male holotype, 1.00–1.07 for male paratypes, 0.54–0.60 for female paratypes. Diagnosis. This new species is similar to Platycerus rugosus in most external features (such as male mandible, pronotum, and sclerotized male gentialia), but can be distinguished from the latter by the following combination of characters: dorsal color of males more brown; a ratio of metatarsi length to metatibia length in males being 1.00–1.07 versus 1.18–1.19 in Platycerus rugosus; a ratio of metatarsi length to metatibia length in females being 0.54–0.61 versus 0.67 in Platycerus rugosus; ventrites of males red, not black; incisor teeth closer to molae in male mandible; keels of penis not markedly broader near the proximal end than at other parts; flagellum on endophallus not bifurcate at base; endophallus with one-paired basal pouch and laterodorsal pouches protruded basad as free branches; hemisternite of female genitalia stouter with inner apex not very protruded. In distribution and characters of the pronotum this new species is similar to Platycerus tabanai tabanai and Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis, but can be easily distinguished from both of them by the following combination of characters: male mandible without a gap between apex and incisor teeth; posterior angle of pronotum sharper in both sexes; basal half of parameres more inflated; keels of penis not much broader near proximal end than at other parts; hemisternite of female genitalia with inner apex not strongly protruding (the characters in endophallus have not been studied for Platycerus tabanai tabanai and Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis). In distribution and dorsal color of this new species is similar to Platycerus nagahatai, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the following combination of characters: male mandible without a gap between apex and incisor teeth, with incisor teeth much closer to molae; posterior angle of pronotum angled in both sexes; ventrites of males bright red, not dark black; endophallus with anterior pouch absent, with onepaired basal pouches, one-paired laterodorsal pouches protruding basad as free branches and inflation immediately above ejaculatory area not large; hemisternite of female genitalia with inner apex not strongly protruding. Discussion. An uncertainty is that the male specimens identified as Platycerus rugosus in this work were not collected from the type locality, the Dabashan Mountains. Instead, they were collected from the Micangshan Mountains, which are the western extension of the Dabashan Mountains and possess very similar fauna; however they match the original description of Platycerus rugosus in all the diagnostic characters, including the sclerotized male genitalia. The only problem is that the endophallus of Platycerus rugosus has not been studied for specimens from the type locality. Nevertheless, Platycerus yingqii can be easily distinguished from Platycerus rugosus at least by those characters in external features, the sclerotized male genitalia, and female genitalia. Both Platycerus tabanai and Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis were described from the same area in Qinling Mountains and based on male specimens as holotypes; they are somewhat similar to the new species in some characters, but can be distinguished by several important characters as stated in "diagnosis". There is detailed information on the characters of the male mandible and the sclerotized male genitalia in the literature for both Platycerus tabanai and Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis. The relationship between Platycerus tabanai tabanai and Platycerus tabanai taibaishanensis needs an examination of more specimens and characters in endophallus; however this has nothing to do with the validity of Platycerus yingqii. Type locality. China, Shaanxi Province, Bao-ji City, Mei-xian County, Mount Taibaishan. Etymology. This new species is named after the son of the senior author, Ying-Qi Huang, who was born in summer of 2006.

Platycerus oregonensis Westwood, 1844: 106. Fig. 5. USA: CA: Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kern, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Sonoma, Trinity, Tuolumne. Also OR; WA. Canada: BC., Published as part of Paulsen, M. J. & Caterino, Michael, 2009, The Platycerus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) of California, with the recognition of Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke as a valid species, pp. 89-94 in ZooKeys 8 (8) on page 94, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.8.118, http://zenodo.org/record/576445

Platycerus Geoffroy, 1762: 62. Holarctic. Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke, 1928: 107. Figs 1-3. USA: CA: Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara., Published as part of Paulsen, M. J. & Caterino, Michael, 2009, The Platycerus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) of California, with the recognition of Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke as a valid species, pp. 89-94 in ZooKeys 8 (8) on page 93, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.8.118, http://zenodo.org/record/576445, {"references":["Van Dyke EC (1928) Notes and descriptions of new species of Lucanidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from western North America. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 4: 105 - 113."]}

Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke, 1928: 107; New Status. Original combination: Platycerus depressus cribripennis Van Dyke, 1928: 107. Holotype male (CASC), labeled: a) ���Tassajara. Cal. / Monterey Co. / V- 25 1920 / L. S. Slevin���; b) ���on alder / log, chop���d / it up but / none in.���; c) blue paper, ���L.S. Slevin / Collection���; d) bordered white label with red highlighted ��� Holotype ��� at left margin and ���[male symbol] / Platycerus / depressus / cribripennis / Van Dyke���; e) ��� California Academy / of Sciences / Type / No. ���/ [handprinted] ���2533���; f) ��� Platycerus cribripennis / Van Dyke, 1928 / det. MJ Paulsen 2008. Description, male (n=7) . Length: 12.7-14.7 mm. Width at humerus: 4.1-4.6 mm. Color: Black (Fig. 3). Head: Surface strongly alutaceous (microgranulate), irregularly punctate; puncture size variable from moderate to coarse; coarse punctures near eyes larger and more dense than in P. oregonensis or P. marginalis. Male majors with mandibles longer than head, upcurved, not evenly rounded externally; strong lateral tooth present on exterior near base; apex acute dorsally and ventrally blade-like with reduced dentition (multidentate in P. marginalis) and with dorsal subapical tooth small, obtuse. Male minors not seen. Antennal club with 4 tomentose antennomeres, basal antennomere of club (7 th antennomere) nearly as long as antennomeres 8-10. Antennomere 6 also slightly produced internally. Pronotum: Surface strongly alutaceous, punctate; punctures irregularly spaced, moderate in size. Elytra: Surface alutaceous but more strongly shining than pronotum, densely punctate; punctures irregular (striae obscured, only sutural stria weakly evident); surface around punctures appearing raised, subrugose. Male Genitalia: (Fig. 2). Basal part of median lobe rounded, distal portion produced into two lobes. Male internal sac permanently partially everted, unsclerotized; flagellum present, sclerotized (not membranous). Description, female (n=1) . Length: 13.6 mm. Width at humerus: 4.8 mm. Differs from male as follows: Head: Surface with punctation dense, punctures larger. Mandibles shorter than head, not upcurved, lacking external tooth, instead tridentate with acute apex, dorsal, and ventral teeth. Antennal club with 4 antennomeres, basal antennomere glabrous and much shorter than remaining antennomeres. Female Genitalia: not examined. Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other Nearctic Platycerus by the following combination of characters: Th e black coloration and strongly alutaceous and/ or opaque dorsal surface is distinctive; the densely punctate elytra with obsolete discal striae and subrugose surface between punctures will immediately distinguish this species. The oblique, external tooth at the base of the male mandibles is unique among Nearctic Platycerus. Additionally, the male mandibles have a blade-like apex, whereas the apex is multidentate in P. marginalis, P. depressus, and P. virescens (Fabricius) and simply dentate in P. oregonensis. Th e antennal club of male P. cribripennis has the basal club antennomere not reduced and nearly as long as the three distal antennomeres; in males of P. oregonensis and P. virescens the basal club antennomere is reduced. Distribution (Fig. 1). Platycerus cribripennis is known only from California���s coastal mountains. Benesh���s assertion that other specimens were present from Yosemite and Oregon is certainly an error based on his failure to examine Van Dyke���s type. Specimens examined (8). CALIFORNIA: KERN (1): Bear Trap Canyon, Tejon Ranch (DCCC). MONTEREY (3): Jolon (FMNH); Tassajara Road, 1 mi S of China Camp (CASC, EMEC). SAN LUIS OBISPO (1): Morro Bay (EMEC). SANTA BAR- BARA (3): Cold Spring Canyon, Los Padres National Forest (SBMN, California Beetle Project database numbers CBP0048052, CBP0049001, and CBP0049002). Remarks. Platycerus cribripennis is one of the most infrequently collected species of stag beetles in North America, being known from only a few specimens from five localities. Th ere may be a need to examine the species��� geographically limited distribution in greater detail to ascertain whether or not it warrants conservation status. Th is is especially true where the known distribution intersects planned or on-going development., Published as part of Paulsen, M. J. & Caterino, Michael, 2009, The Platycerus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) of California, with the recognition of Platycerus cribripennis Van Dyke as a valid species, pp. 89-94 in ZooKeys 8 (8) on pages 91-93, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.8.118, http://zenodo.org/record/576445, {"references":["Van Dyke EC (1928) Notes and descriptions of new species of Lucanidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from western North America. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 4: 105 - 113.","Paulsen MJ, Hawks DC (2008) Platyceroidini, a new tribe of North American stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae). Insecta Mundi 0058: 1 - 2."]}

Injury to sugar maple buds, shoots, twigs, and stems resulted in forked trees in Upper Michigan. Six species of insects were observed to feed on buds: The lepidopterans Proteoteras moffatiana Fernald (Olethreutidae), Obrussa ochrefasciella (Chambers) (Nepticulidae), Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) and Cenopis pettitana (Robinson) (Tortricidae), and the coleopterans Phyllobius oblongus (L.) (Curculionidae) and Platycerus virescens (F.) (Lucanidae). Twig and shoot damage resulted from severed shoots, twig cankers, and scarring resembling weevil feeding injury. Stem damage was caused by breakage and browsing animals. Bud injury averaged 5.80% per year, twig damage 3.18% per year, and stem breakage 0.36% per year. Injuries to terminals resulted in 85% forked stems, 8% single stems, 3% stunting, and 4% unaffected.

Observations mainly on sexual behavior were made in both the field and laboratory on five species representing four genera of stag beetles all occurring in central Illinois.Males of Lucanus Scopoli (= Pseudolucanus) and Dorcus MacLeay which have relatively short mandibles made direct use of these appendages in subduing and maintaining the female in position during mating.Males of Platycerus Geoffroy and Ceruchus MacLeay which have larger mandibles did not use these appendages to hold the female, but rubbed a pair of legs intermittently against the female’s elytra and had much longer matings.The presence of a female stimulus was determinant in the amount of fighting among males.

I am scarcely warranted in attempting a detailed table of this genus, because a number of species are known to me only by a single sex; but in looking over the material, it can be readily perceived that there are two sections, the first represented by quercus, oregonensis and depressus, being characterized by great sexual differences in the mandibles, and the second, represented by all the other species, having the mandibles unmodified in the male. The second section may be divided into three groups: the first, represented by Agassii, pacificus and parvicollis, which, judging by analogy, have the hind tarsi long and slender in both sexes; the second, composed of californicus and thoracicus, having the hind tarsi short, at least in the female; and the third, with stout and triangular tibiæ, at present represented by Keeni alone.