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Narrative
Stag Beetles, family Lucanidae, are characterized by a large pair of mandibles (pinchers) and unusual feather tipped antennae that are always jointed or bent in the middle. The larvae feed on tree roots, primarily of the hardwood group. Many of the species in this family, especially those found from India to Australia, have magnificent pinchers and are a great favorite with scientists who collect and study beetles.
There are probably over one thousand species in this family. Several distinct adult forms (polymorphism) are frequently found in this family. When one first sees a series of the same species ranging from small males with small underdeveloped mandibles to giant males with overdeveloped mandibles, one usually assumes that these are just young and mature specimens. However, since Lucanidae undergo a metamorphosis and the emerged adults do not grow, one must understand that a single species can produce a whole series of different forms.
Ever since the time of Darwin this family has attracted biologists in their quest for definition of the concept of species. One of the most important publications in this regard was Franz Leuthner's "Monograph of The Odontolabini," published in December, l883 and republished in English by the Zoological Society of London in l885. In 1953, Didier and Seguy published a list (Volume XXVII of the French Encyclopedie Entomologique) of the world's known species (1086 of them) and some line drawings of some of the larger and more exotic forms.
A Mr. Benesh of Chicago immediately followed that publication with a complete literature listing of all the world's species (984 of them). The differences mostly being attributed to reducing and raising various forms to species and subspecies levels.
Exciting work is still going on in this family as evidenced by the wonderful color book by Jean-Pierre Lacroix called IV Odontolabini published in l984 in France with text in German, French, and English. Recently, a magnificent book on this family was published in Japan.
Taxonomy
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Latin
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English
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Kingdom
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Animalia
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Animal
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Phylum
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Arthropoda
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Jointed Legged Animals
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Class
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Insecta
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Insects
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Order
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Coleoptera
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Beetles
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Family
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Lucanidae
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Beetles - Stag
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SubFamily
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References
| Title | Author | Comments |
| Monograph of the Odontolabini | Leuthner, Franz | This early work is of value as an aid in the identification of the Stag Beetles in the Odontolabis genus. However, since many species have been discoverd since the publication, its value lies in the definition of terms for understanding the polymorphic nature of the Odontolabis. Furthermore, this scientist must be given credit for recognizing that the various forms of beetles in the genus were frequently just different adult forms of the same species. |
| French Encyclopedie Entomologique | Lechevalier, Paul, editor | This publication pertains to the beetle family Lucanidae. |
| Familia Lucanidae | Benesh, B. | This older work is a list of the known species of Lucanidae beetles, and the associated references for these species. |
| (The Beetles of the World) IV Odontolabini 1 | Lacroix, Jean-Pierre | The Sciences Nat series of France does an excellent job of picturing and describing all of the known species in a given genus of beetles. This is the fourth book in the series, and it covers the genus Odontolabis. (The closely related genus Neolucanus is not included in this work) |
| Catalogue Illustre des Lucanides du Globe | Didier, Dr.R. | This large format collection of 112 plates gives an excellent overview to the Lucanidae species of the world. Typically, there are from four to eight line drawings in each plate covering from one to four species. Although more recent books with color plates are useful, this work still serves as an excellent guide. The line drawings are superb and they show great detail. |
| Beautiful Beetles of the World | Tamanuki, Koichi | This giant format book with 58 plates with each plate typically showing from two to six species gives an introduction to the large and exotic beetles of the planet. Published in Japan with Japanese text with limited English translation. This book, along with the Ewald Reitter book are a must for any one with an interest in giant and colorful beetles. |
| Beetles of the Pacific Northwest - Part V | Hatch, Melville H. | This is one of the series on the beetles of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. With 662 pages, this book covers in detail the species within each part. With very detailed keys for each species, this work covers the beetles quite adequately. The lack of color pictures, makes this a difficult book for the amateur. The Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionidae are included in this volume. |
| Arthropods of Florida - Distributional Checklist of the Beetles of Florida | Peck, Stewart B. | This scientific work lists the species of beetles found in Florida, and also gives their range. The work is organized by families and subfamilies, and it is easy to use. |
| Insects of Japan - Coleoptera | Nakane, Takehiko | This work was published in Japan in Japanese. Although the text is in Japanese, the color plates are identified with Latin scientific names. This volume covers various beetle families such as the Lucanidae, Scarabaedae, Carabidae, Ceramybcidae, and Cicindellidae. |
| Butterfly Fauna of Ceylon | Woodhouse, L.G.O. | This older work supplies excellent color plates and excellent text of the butterflies of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). |
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