A re-evaluation of the genera of New Zealand aesaline stag beetles (Coleoptera : Lucanidae)

The purpose of the study is to reassess the taxonomic placement of the New Zealand aesalines currently assigned to the genus Ceratognathus Westwood. T his is done by comparison with two Australian species of Ceratognathus, inc luding the type species, C. niger Westwood, using elytral surface structure s, the fore legs, and genitalia. The New Zealand species are transferred fr om Ceratognathus to Mitophyllus Parry a reinstated genus, and Holloceratogn athus Nikolaev which is given generic status. Mitophyllus contains Ceratogn athus alboguttatus Bates, C. dispar Sharp, C. foveolatus Broun, C. gibbosus Broun, Mitophyllus insignis Broun, M. irroratus Parry, C. macrocerus Broun , M. parrianus Westwood, and M, reflexus Broun. Holloceratognathus, previou sly a subgenus of Ceratognathus, has as a synonym Ceratognathus subgenus Ne oceratognathus Nikolaev. It contains Mitophyllus cylindricus Broun, Ceratog nathus helotoides Thomson, and C. passaliformis Holloway. The paper contain s illustrations of the heads, legs, and male and female genitalia of Cerato gnathus, Mitophyllus, and Holloceratognathus. The female genitalia of Aesal us scarabaeoides (Panzer) and A. asiaticus Lewis are also illustrated to hi ghlight the diversity and taxonomic importance of these structures in the A esalinae.