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 aesahnes currently assigned to the genus Ceratognathus Westwood This is done by comparison with two Australian species of Ceratognathus, including the type species, C niger Westwood, using elytral surface structures, the fore legs, and genitalia The New Zealand species are transferred from Ceratognathus to Mitophyllus Parry a reinstated genus, and Holloceratognathus Nikolaev which is given generic status Mitophyllus contains Ceratognathus alboguttatus Bates, C dispar Sharp C foveolatus Broun, C gibbosus Broun, Mitophyllus insignis Broun, M irroratus Parry, C macrocerus Broun, M parnanus Westwood, and M reflexus Broun Holloceratognathus, previously a subgenus of Ceratognathus has as a synonym Ceratognathus subgenus Neoceratognathus Nikolaev It contains Mitophyllus cylindricus Broun, Ceratognathus helotoides Thomson, and C passaliformis Holloway The paper contains illustrations of the heads, legs, and male and female genitalia of Ceratognathus, Mitophyllus, and Holloceratognathus The female genitalia of Aesalus scarabaeoides (Panzer) and A asiaticus Lewis are also illustrated to highlight the diversity and taxonomic importance of these structures in the Aesalinae