Distribution of the genus Platycerus Geoffroy (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) in Italy

Abstract

Stag beetles are saproxylic species that are associated with deadwood in the larval stage and play an important role in forest ecosystem dynamics. In Italy, Platycerus caprea and Platycerus caraboides are two small, elusive stag beetle species, whose known distribution is often limited or referring to old records. The present contribution increases the knowledge on the Italian distribution of P. caprea and P. caraboides, adding 70% more sites when compared to previously published records. Ecological traits, especially related to the altitude-elevation distribution in Italy, are also described for these saproxylic beetles.