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Abstract
A monographic revision of the species formerly comprising the genus Pycnosiphorus Solier (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) is presented. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic data indicate that these species form two distinct groups and are treated as two genera: Pycnosiphorus with fully-winged species, and Erichius Maes with flightless species. All species are redescribed and keys are provided for species in both genera. A revised key to southern South American Lucanidae genera is provided.
The genus Pycnosiphorus is revised and now contains two species, one of which has five subspecies, including one new subspecies. The subgenus Erichius is elevated to generic status and contains 13 species, including one new species. Neotypes and lectotypes are designated to promote stability in nomenclature in the group. Specific and generic synonymies are discussed.
Previous classification of the family Lucanidae (stag beetles) has suffered from a lack of rigorous scientific research. Lucanidae have been divided into four to nine subfamilies apportioned between approximately 24 available and 12 invalidly described tribes. To examine higher-level classification of the New World Lucanidae, I examined the phylogenetic relationships within the entire family using sequences from 28S (D2, D3) and 18S rDNA. Taxon sampling included all subfamilies and most tribes with 68 ingroup and 14 outgroup taxa. Based on phylogenetic analyses of these sequences, I propose numerous subfamilial and tribal classification changes to the family. Morphological support for the tribal classification of all New World stag beetles is discussed.
