Platyceroides (Platyceropsis) keeni (Casey) Casey, 2017

Paulsen, M. J., 2017, Correction of existing generic and species concepts in Platyceroidini (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae) and the description of four new species of Platyceroides Benesh, Zootaxa 4269 (3), pp. 346-378 : 367-368

Platyceroides (Platyceropsis) keeni (Casey) , new combination

Platycerus keeni Casey, 1895: 153 , original combination. Platycerus pedicellaris Möllenkamp, 1912: 302 , synonym.

Type series. Holotype female of Platycerus keeni (USNM) labeled: a) “Q.C.I.”; b) “CASEY / bequest / 1925”; c) on orange paper, “TYPE USNM / [36206]”; d) handwritten “ keeni / Csy.”; e) “ Platyceroides keeni / ( Casey, 1895) / det. M.J. Paulsen 2013”.

Holotype female of Platycerus pedicellaris (SDEI) labeled: a) “Humboldt / Co., CAL. / IV.29.11”; b) “Coll’d by F.W. / Nunenmacher”; c) female symbol; d) handwritten, “ Platycerus / pedicellaris [female symbol] / Möllenk. / Typus!”; e) red paper, “Holotypus”; f) “Dtsch. Entomol. / Institut Berlin”.

Taxonomy. Casey (1895) described the species based on a female from Haida Gwaii (then known as the Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia, Canada, which is the northernmost locality known for the tribe. Möllenkamp (1912) described a female from the mainland (California), however the synonymy of his name with Casey’s is confirmed. A second specimen encountered from CNCI is labeled as being the holotype by H. Bomans, however it is not the holotype specimen.

Distribution ( Fig. 29 ). CANADA: BRITISH COLUMBIA: HAIDA GWAII: Massett; North Beach; Tlell. VANCOUVER ISLAND: Pacific Rim National Park-Long Beach/Green Point.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: CALIFORNIA: DEL NORTE: Crescent City. HUMBOLDT: Arcata ; Trinidad. OREGON: CLATSOP: Cannon Beach ; Gearhart. COOS: No locality . CURRY: Gold Beach; Pistol River . DOUGLAS: 6 mi. S Reedsport / Umpqua Lighthouse State Park . LANE: Heceta Beach. LINCOLN: Beachside State Park; South Beach State Park ; Taft; Waldport. TILLAMOOK: Bar View State Park; Nehalem ; Neskowin ; Pacific City /Cape Kiwanda. WASHINGTON: GRAYS HARBOR: Moclips. PACIFIC: Long Beach; Seaview.

Remarks. This species is unique in that it burrows in sand under driftwood on the Pacific coast. It displays autapomorphies related to this peculiar life history such as thickened legs, broader tibial spurs, and flightlessness in males ( Fig. 13 A). This is the most massive species in the genus, with some females from the type locality reaching 14 mm in length and 6 mm in width. It is the only species of the tribe known to occur in Canada. The male genitalia ( Fig. 13 B) are virtually identical to those of P. laticollis .

Figures

FIGURES 29 – 30. Distribution of Platyceroides, subgenus Platyceropsis: 29, Platyceroides keeni (blue squares). 30, Platyceroides laticollis (orange squares).

FIGURES 13 – 14. Subgenus Platyceropsis, males. 13 A, Platyceroides keeni; 13 B, male genitalia, median lobe and flagellum manually elevated from natural position. 14 A, Platyceroides laticollis, dorsal habitus; 14 B, lateral view; 14 C, male genitalia, median lobe and flagellum manually elevated from natural position.