A taxonomic assessment and redefinition of the Lucanus fortunei species group in China (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae)

This study focused on and examined the traditional Lucanus fortunei group comprising more than 60%of all Lucanus taxa in China.Each species treatment includes a description,distribution,collecting methods,natural history and digital habitus and other pertinent images.A dichotomous taxonomic key was created specific to the Chinese L.fortunei group and the related groups.The Lucanus fortunei group is arguably the largest group in terms of species richness in Lucanus Scopoli;however,the group definition is unclear and needs to be critically assessed and redefined.Field work and sampling of the Chinese Lucanus fortunei species group was conducted between summer,2017 and summer,2022.Field sites included Anhui,Zhejiang,Fujian,Taiwan,Jiangxi,Hubei,Hunan,Guizhou,Sichuan,Chongqing,Yunnan,Xizang,Guangdong,and Guangxi Provinces.Thirty-two taxa(species and subspecies),including 473 specimens,previously considered to fall within the scope of the Lucanus fortunei group were examined by morphological study.Three new groups,the Lucanus brivioi group,the Lucanus kraatzi group,and the Lucanus parryi group are proposed and separated from the traditional Lucanus fortunei group,based on morphological characters.The subspecies,L.parryi laetus,is proposed as the synonym of the nominate subspecies.