Waterhouse, 1874 : 7 Parry 1875 : 22 Felsche 1898 : 78 Van Roon 1910 : 52 Mjöberg 1916 : 14 Didier 1937 : 30 Nagel 1939 : 1 Didier & Séguy 1953 : 182 Benesh 1960 : 27 Parry 1875 : 22 Maes 1992 : 39 Moore & Cassis 1992 : 10 Krajcik 2001 : 12 Krajcik 2003 : 81 Mjöberg, 1916 : 13 Nagel 1939 : 1 Didier & Séguy 1953 : 183 Benesh 1960 : 29 Maes 1992 : 41 Moore & Cassis 1992 : 11 Krajcik 2001 : 13 Krajcik 2003 : 84 De Lisle, 1967 : 542 Lacroix 1980 : 126 Bomans 1989 : 14 Maes 1992 : 38 Moore & Cassis 1992 : 9 Krajcik 2001 : 10 Krajcik 2003 : 77 Fujita 2010 : 387 Revision of the Australian species of Figulus MacLeay, 1819 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) Monte, Cinzia Zilioli, Michele Bartolozzi, Luca Zootaxa 2016 4189 3 447 484 6HZTH Waterhouse, 1874 Waterhouse 1874 [151,557,655,682] Insecta Lucanidae Figulus Animalia Coleoptera 10 457 Arthropoda species nitens     Figulus nitens  Waterhouse, 1874: 7;  Parry 1875: 22;  Felsche 1898: 78;  Van Roon 1910: 52;  Mjöberg 1916: 14;  Didier 1937: 30;  Nagel 1939: 1;  Didier & Séguy 1953: 182;  Benesh 1960: 27;  Parry 1875: 22;  Maes 1992: 39;  Moore & Cassis 1992: 10;  Krajcik 2001: 12;  Krajcik 2003: 81; Maes 2014; Schoolmeesters 2015.    Figulus tambourinensis  Mjöberg, 1916: 13;  Nagel 1939: 1;  Didier & Séguy 1953: 183;  Benesh 1960: 29;  Maes 1992: 41;  Moore & Cassis 1992: 11;  Krajcik 2001: 13;  Krajcik 2003: 84; Maes 2014; Schoolmeesters 2015. New synonymy.  Figulus howei  De Lisle, 1967: 542;  Lacroix 1980: 126;  Bomans 1989: 14;  Maes 1992: 38;  Moore & Cassis 1992: 9;  Krajcik 2001: 10;  Krajcik 2003: 77;  Fujita 2010: 387; Maes 2014; Schoolmeesters 2015. New synonymy.  Type material.  Figulus nitensWaterhouse: Lectotype here designated:  Lectotype: “TYPE / SP. [printed]”, “  Figulus/  nitens, C. Waterh./ (Type) Ent. M. Mag. 16/4[handwritten]”, “Ex Musaeo / Parry [printed]”, “MUSÉUM PARIS / 1952 / COLL. R OBERTHÜR [printed]”, [MNHN]; Paralectotypes: 1 paralectotype: “Moreton / Bay [handwritten]”,  F. nitens/ var. n. Holl / Waterhouse [h]”, Ex Musaeo / Parry [printed]”, MUSÉUM PARIS / 1952 / COLL R OBERTHÜR [printed]” [MNHN]; 1 paralectotype: F. ni t e n s/ Water. [handwritten]”, “MUSÉUM PARIS / 1952 / COLL R OBERTHÜR [printed]” [MNHN].  Figulus howeiDe Lisle(Ƌ): “Holotypus / M.O. de Lisle nom. 1967 [printed]”, “Lord Howe Island / (New South Wales) [handwritten]”, “TYPE [printed]”, “  Figulus/  howeim. / M.O. de Lisle det. [printed, handwritten]” [MHNG].  Figulus tambourinensisMjöberg: Lectotype here designated: Lectotype male: “Mt. Tam / bourine [printed]”, “Queensl. / Mjöberg [printed]”, “8303 [printed]”, “RiksMuseum / Stockholm [printed]”, “  tambourinensis/ Mjöb. [handwritten]” [NHRS]; Paralectotype: 1 paralectotype: “Type [printed]”, “Mt. Tam / bourine [printed]”, “Queensl. / Mjöberg [printed]”, “8302 / E91+ [printed]”, “RiksMuseum / Stockholm [printed]”, “  Figulus tambourinensis[handwritten]” [NHRS].   Diagnosis.  Figulus nitensdiffers from the all other described members of the genus in Australiaby the shape of the mentum, which has two small tubercles at sides near the base, and by the shape of male genitalia.    Redescription.Measurements:size range ( n= 110): TL: 11.0– 16.9 mm; PL: 2.8 3–4.50 mm; EL: 6.21–9.50 mm; PW: 3.58–5.62 mm; EW: 3.66–5.70 mm.  Male( Fig. 12). Body elongate, with subparallel sides, from black or dark brown to reddish brown, glossy.  Head:transverse, about twice as wide as long, slightly depressed. Frontoclypeal region slightly concave at the anterior margin, finely punctate and with two small glossy areas situated before the eyes. Labrum broad with anterior margin slightly convex, moderately protruding, and with long, golden setae. Vertex slightly concave in the middle, inclined anteriorly; with two small, transversal elevations. Two longitudinal carinae, moderately developed, are present along the inner margin of eyes. Eyes large, divided into two parts by the canthi, the upper part smaller than the lower, with distinct facets. Canthus largely protruding, rounded laterally and directed obliquely inwards behind, slightly depressed and smooth upper surface, with a few minute punctures on the lateral margin. Head surface smooth, glossy, finely and sparsely punctate. Mandibles a few shorter than head, strong and asymmetrical, rounded, apices slightly blunted and curved upwards; upper surface at base slightly elevated. Internal margin of the right mandible with a moderately developed basal tooth and a medial strong tooth, with apex blunted directed inwards. Internal margin of the left mandible with a moderately developed basal tooth, a medial tooth and a preapical slight angulation moderately developed. Antenna with 10 antennomeres, with scape slightly shorter than the remaining antennomeres; club of last three antennomeres, which are flatter and broader than the remaining antennomeres of the funicle. Mentumsubrectangular ( Fig. 13), medially concave, with anterior margin slightly bilobed and with sides almost right or slightly rounded, elevated. Base feebly concave in the middle forming a slightly, elevated process, feebly bilobed anteriorly and reaching the half of the mentum. Two small tubercles, moderately developed, at sides. Surface strongly punctate, rugose in the middle.   FIGURES 12‒15.  Figulus nitensWaterhouse.12, dorsal view of adult (scale bar: 5 mm); 13, mentum; 14, male genitalia, dorsal view (scale bar: 0.5 mm); 15, male genitalia, lateral view.  Thorax: pronotum subrectangular, with subparallel sides; anterior margin slightly convex, moderately elevated, with a small, blunt medial tubercle and a shallow depression on anterolateral margins; posterior margin slightly bisinuate; anterior angles produced with rounded anterior margin; posterior angles largely rounded. Superficial longitudinal medial groove, deeper in the middle with some large, circular punctures. Pronotal surface glossy, finely and sparsely punctate on the disc, densely punctate around the medial tubercle; sides with dense and large punctures. A patch of large close punctures at midway on the sides. Scutellum subtriangular, surface smooth and glossy. Elytra at base a few narrower than prothorax, and about twice as long as pronotum. Base concave, subparallel sides, apex regularly rounded. Humeral angles acute, with a small tubercle. Elytral surface glossy, with 9 visible subparallel striae, the dorsal striae deeper than the lateral striae. Stria 1 is deep and the only stria reaching apex; formed by a row of large, confluent punctures. Striae 2‒4 formed by a row of large, confluent punctures except at apex; stria 5 as striae 2‒4, but in the posterior stria the punctures are well separated from each other; stria 6 formed by a row of large punctures well separated from each other. Interstriae much larger than striae, slightly convex and finely punctate. Elytral margins and apex strongly punctate, with short, erect, red setae. Wings present. Legs thin and straight. Protibiae with strong, elongate apical fork, and a long, strong spur internally at apex; lateral margin with 4‒5 small teeth, increasing in size distally. Mesotibiae with 4 long, acute, apical teeth, and 2 apical spurs, 1 larger than the other; lateral margin with strong submedial tooth, preceded by 1‒2 smaller teeth. Metatibiae with 4 acute, apical teeth, and 2 long apical spurs, 1 larger than the other; lateral margin with strong submedial tooth, preceded by a smaller tooth. Prosternum subpentagonal in shape behind the coxae, surface with large and deep punctures at anterior edge and with smaller punctures medially and at posterior edge. Metasternum smooth, with a long medial groove, deeper at its posterior edge; sides of metasternum with some horse-shoe shaped, superficial hollows with a short, golden seta in the middle.  Abdomen: first abdominal ventrite with some horse-shoe shaped, superficial hollows with a short, golden seta in the middle. The other ventrites finely punctate, with some larger punctures at sides. Last ventrite with scattered, large punctures, finer at posterior margin.  Male genitalia: penis broad at base, strongly narrowed at apex, with a constriction before the latter ( Fig. 14), in dorsal view broader than parameres, slightly sinuose in lateral view, strongly bent at base close to articulation with basal piece. Permanently everted internal sac drawn out into an exceedingly long (several times the tegmen length), broad, colorless or yellow flagellum tapering towards apex. Parameres short ( Figs. 14–15) with marginal fringe of short setae entirely enclosed in the cuticle (not represented in figure). Basal piece long, about 2.5 times the length of paramere; ventrally largely membranous, dorsally sclerotized, with a moderately large, elongate sclerotic area along midline. Two long, slender struts run along basal piece, from penis articulation to slightly beyond the base of the lobed expansion of basal piece ( Figs. 14–15).  Female.All external morphological characters as in male.  Female genitalia: hemisternites elongate, separed by 2 small, pigmented patch triangularly shaped; apically with long, golden setae, surrounding the styli; anteriorly broad up to about half of their length and close to the base; outer edge notched; medial edge strongly indented; styli slender, slightly longer than wide, slightly curved outwards. Bursa copulatrix represented by a slight expansion of the wall of spermathecal duct near junction with the median oviduct. Spermathecal duct long ending in a bulbous subcircular expansion proximally colorless then pigmented in the total length; spermathecal gland colorless, small, bulbous, with short duct.  Intraspecific variation.The specimens examined do not show significant morphological variability except for the size of body (see section “Measurements”).     Additional material examined. Australia[state unknown]: 1 specimen, comparé au type(= compared to type), ex Musaeo Mniszech, 6659, H.E.Bomans BMNH( E) 1999-248, 406659 (handwritten) ( NHM).   AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 1 specimen, Mount Ainslie Australian Capital Territory,  28.X.1967, P.B.Carne( ANIC);  1 specimen, Canberra,  31.III.1964, C.G.L.Gooding, C.G.L.Gooding Collection, donated to A.N. I.C.1979, 8632 (handwritten), H.E.Bomans BMNH(E) 1999-248, 408632 (handwritten) ( NHM);  2 specimens, Reid,  19.IX.1960, 705, bred from yellow box log, K.M.L. Key( ANIC).   NEW SOUTH WALES: 1 specimen, N.S.Wales, ex Musaeo Möllenkamp 1913, Muséum Paris 1952 Collection R. Oberthür( MNHN);  1 specimen, New South Wales, Muséum Paris1952, Collection R.Oberthür ( MNHN);  1♀, Barrington Tops,  23.I.1927, T.G.Campbell, T 59842, K 293086 (AMS);  1 specimen, Barrington Tops,  13.I. 1947, 500 feet, R.Calven, H.Hughes& A.Musgrave, K 293087 (AMS);  1 specimen, Barrington Tops, Macleay Museum University of Sydney 2006 Australia, 11378 (handwritten), H.E.Bomans BMNH( E) 1999-248, 411378 (handwritten) ( NHM);  1 specimen, Barrington Tops State Forest, 31°54'13''S, 151°27'59''E, Gummi Falls,  6–15.I.1999, M.Yee, R.B.Halliday, K.Pullen, & K.Hebbard, at light, open forest ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Belanglo State Forest, 34°32'S, 150°14'E,  18.VIII.1990, Tom Gush, under bark cut tree, Tom Gush Collection2347, Macleay Museum Universityof Sydney2006 Australia, 16679 (handwritten), H.E.Bomans BMNH(E) 1999-248, 416679 (handwritten) ( NHM); 1Ƌ,  Mount Belmore State Forest, NBelmore Road, via Busbys Flat,  4.I. 1999, 300 m, 99:19Ƌ, mv light ( ANIC); 1Ƌ, Mount Belmore State Forest, T-Ridge Rd, via Busbys Flat,  4.XII. 1998, 500 m, 98:686 Ƌ, S.G.Watkins, mv light, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Blue Mountains, ex Collection Australian Museum( ANIC);  1 specimen, Blue Mountains, Mount Wilson,  19.XII.1986, D.K.McAlpine, R.deKeyzer, & B.J.Day, K 293094 (AMS); 1Ƌ,  1♀, Broulee,  13.I.1963, in  Casuarina, D.Carne( ANIC);  1 specimen,  Bungabee State Forest, SEKyogle,  10.XII.1996, mv light, S.G.Watkins, mv light, S.G.Watkins Collectiondonated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Cabbage Tree Creek, Clyde Mountain,  26.X.1982, Doyen& Lawrence, under bark of rotten logs ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Cambridge Plateau Richmond Range State Forest, WNW Casino,  15.XI.1996, mv light, 96:567 Ƌ, S.G.Watkins, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Chiswick,  16 kmS Armidale,  18.II.1980, light trap, M.R.Portor( ANIC);  1 specimen,  Fortis Creek State Forest, NGrafton,  13.XI.1996, mv light, S.G.Watkins, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Glen Innes, Prisonfarm,  VII.1969-   XII.1970, Universityof New England Collection donated 1983 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Gordon, Sydney,  XI.1989, J.A.Walker, R.deKeyzer Insect Collection, K293327 (AMS);  1 specimen, Helensburgh, Sydney[error on original label],  16.VIII.1992, R.deKeyzer, R.deKeyzer Insect Collection, K293328 (AMS);  1♀, Mackellar Range Road, Bungabee State Forest,  15 kmSE Kyogle,  25.X.1999, S.G.Watkins, mv light, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Mooney Mooney Creek, near Gosford,  5.XII.1976, D.K.McAlpine, K 293092 (AMS);  1♀, Ogilvie Trail, Banyabba Nature Reserve, SSW Whiporie,  130 m,  27.XI.2000, S.G.Watkins, mv light, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Ourimbah, Sydney[error on original label],  25.II.1925, W.W.Froggatt, W.W.Froggatt Collection( ANIC);  1♀, Pennefathers Road, Cherry Tree State Forestvia Casino,  26.XII.1996, mv light, S.G.Watkins, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 ( ANIC); 1Ƌ, 2♀, 5 specimens, Penrose State Forest,  6.V.1972, D.A.Doolan, D.A.Doolan Collection, K 293089, K 293090, K 293091, K 293093, K 293124, K 293125, and K 293126 (AMS);  1 specimen, Platypus Flat, camping area, Nymboi-Binderay National Park,  21.XII.2000, R.deKeyzer, R.deKeyzer Insect Collection, K293329 (AMS); 1Ƌ,  1♀, Powerful Owl Reserve,  Girard State Forest, Wof Drake,  7.XII.1998‒ 8.I. 1999, 690 m, 98:758Ƌ, S.G.Watkins, mv light, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 (ANIC);  1 specimen, Sea Acres Reserve, Port Macquarie,  3–4.IX.1970, K.R.Pullen( ANIC);  1 specimen, Track Wof Sunnyside Ridge Road, near Bungleboori, picnic area, Newnes State Forest,  1.I.2011, at mv light, R.deKeyzer & A.Scott, K 293330 (AMS);  1 specimen, Tarago,  20.XII.1967, W.J.M.Vestjens( ANIC); 1 specimen, Taralga, Dr.Broom. 99-130, BMNH(E) # 607752 (NHM); 1Ƌ, 1♀, Wadsworth Trailat Potoroo Road, Dingo State Forest,  4.XII.1995‒ 24.I.1996, mv light, 95:1097Ƌ, S.G.Watkins Collection, donated 2001 (ANIC).   QUEENSLAND: 1 specimen, Mount Glorious State Forest,  XI–XII.1986, ex  Argyrodendron actinophyllum, Y.Basset Collection( ANIC);  1 specimen,  Mount Tamborine, H.J.Carter Collection P.  20.4.22, COL- 85977 ( NMVM);  1 specimen, Mount Tamborine, National Museum Victoria, COL-85853 ( NMVM).   VICTORIA: 1 specimen, Bendoc,  I.1938, F.E.Wilson Collection, COL-85166 ( NMVM);  1 specimen, Launching Place,  I.1919, C.Oke, COL-86014 ( NMVM);  1 specimen, Moe,  15.IX.1945, C.G.L.Gooding, C.G.L.Gooding Collection, donated to A.N. I.C.1979 ( ANIC);  4 specimens, Moe,  4.IX.1954, C.G.L.Gooding, C.G.L.Gooding Collection, donated to A.N. I.C.1979 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Tyers River,  IX.1973, T.Brown, C.G.L.Gooding Collection, donated to A.N. I.C.1979 ( ANIC);  1 specimen, Warragul,  V.1962, J.M., C.G.L.Gooding Collection, donated to A.N. I.C.1979 ( ANIC).   LORD HOWE ISLAND: 1♀, Lord Howe Island,  11–14.V.2003, rotting  Howea belmoreanawet forest, slope east of golf course, C.Reid, K 187452( AMS);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  21–30.I.1965, G.Bornemissza, ex Collection L.Bartolozzi, 11089, H.E.Bomans BMNH( E) 1999-248, 411089 ( NHM);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  26.XI.1966, R.W.Taylor, ex rotten log, Johnston Beach, pasture, <  100 ft., R.W.Tayloraccession 66.341, 8629 (handwritten), H.E.Bomans BMNH( E) 1999-248, 408629 (handwritten) ( NHM);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  21.I.1985, G.F.Bornemissza, Graeme Krake Collection, donated  Feb. 2007, COL-86867 ( NMVM);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  21.I.1985, G.F.Bornemissza, K 187437 ( AMS); 2ƋƋ, Lord Howe Island,  21– 30.I.1985, G.F.Bornemissza( LBC);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  29.XII.1921, R.Baxter, K 45609(handwritten), K 187441 ( AMS);  1♀, Lord Howe Island,  2–3.XII.1966, approximately 200 feet, old settlement, R.W.Taylor, accession 66.452, exrotten log ( ANIC);  1♀, Lord Howe Island, 28031 (handwritten), K 293080 ( AMS); 1Ƌ,  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, Macleay Museum Universityof Sydney2006 Australia, 11379-a (handwritten) and 11379-b, H.E.Bomans BMNH(E) 1999-248, 411379·1 and 411379·2 ( NHM);  1♀, Lord Howe Island, Macleay Museum Universityof Sydney2006 Australia( LBC);  1 specimen,   Lord Howe Island, A.M.Lea, K293082 (AMS); 1Ƌ, Lord Howe Island,  XII.1912, A.Lea, 12778 (handwritten), H.E.Bomans BMNH(E) 1999-248, 412778 (handwritten) ( NHM); 1Ƌ, 1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  XII.1912, A.Lea( LBC) and ( GTC);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, A.Lea( QMB); 1Ƌ, Lord Howe Island,  15–17.VIII.1914, R.D.Laurie Collection, British Museum1954-588, number 34, BMNH(E) # 607416 ( NHM);  2 specimens, Lord Howe Island, Australia  1919-46, BMNH( E) # 607414 and # 607415 ( NHM);  2 specimens, Lord Howe Island,  XI.1955, J.Balderson F.E.Wilson Collection, COL-85169 ( NMVM);  2 specimens, Lord Howe Island, 31°30'S, 159°04'E,  XII.2002, Mr Ushijima& Mr Chikakura, K 293078and K 293079( AMS);  9 specimens, Lord Howe Island,  21.I.1985, G.Bornemissza( ANIC);  2 specimens, Lord Howe Island,  21.I.1985, G.Bornemissza(GBC) and (AKC);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  10–15.II.1992, G.F.Bornemissza( GBC);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, public jetty,  24.I.1979, T.Kingston, at light, K 187439( AMS);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, Erskine Valley,  18.XII.1923, G.Whitley, K 48848(handwritten), K 293081( AMS);  1♀, Lord Howe Island, Boat Harbour Trail, ( CBCRsite 27), approximately  40 m, 31°33'41''S, 159°05'43''E,  30.XI.2000, C.Reid, under bark  Chionanthuslog, K 187446( AMS);  1 specimen,  Lord Howe Island,  800 malong Goat House Trackto Intermediate Hill, 31°33'16''S, 159°05'05''E,  8.XII.2000, on  CryptocaryaLHI/GC/L14, C.Reid, K 187444 (AMS); Lord Howe Island, Intermediate Hill,  6.XI.1979, G.B.Monteith, rainforest ( QMB);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, Lower Rd, 31°34'15''S, 159°04'30''E, cliffs just before start of rope traverse,  28.XI. 2000, 75 m, C.Reid, under  Cryptocaryabark, K 187445 ( AMS);  1Ƌ, Lord Howe Island,  21–30.I.1965, G.Bornemissza( NHM);  1Ƌ, Lord Howe Island,  3.XII.1966, Nichols’track, in dead wood, E.Britton( ANIC);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, halfway between Rocky Point& Muttonbird Point, on path,  4.XII.2003, L.Meades, K 293077( AMS);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island,  11–14.V.2003, rotting  Howea belmoreana, Valleyof Shadowsloop track, C.Reid, K 187449( AMS);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, Smoking Tree Ridge,  1.XI.1979, G.B.Monteith, rainforest ( QMB);  1 specimen, Lord Howe Island, rotting  Olea paniculata,  100 m into forest path at Soldiers Creek,  11–14.V.2003, C.Reid( AMS).   Distribution. Australia: Australian CapitalTerritory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia,  Western Australia, and Lord Howe Island.  Natural history data.According to label data, most adults were collected at mercury vapor lights, mainly from November to January, but there are single records in February, May, August, and September. They were most commonly found in rotten logs, in dead wood, under the bark of rotten logs, or recently cut trees; less frequently in urbanized areas at light, camping areas (Nimboy-Binderay National Park), and picnic areas at mv light (near Bungleboori, I.2011). The elevation ranges from 40 to 800 m. Some data on host plants were obtained from labels, namely  Argyrodendron actinophyllum(Malvaceae), in Queensland. Other records from Lord Howe Island are  Casuarina(Casuarinaceae);  Chionanthus(Oleaceae), under bark log;  Cryptocarya(Lauraceae); rotting  Howea belmoreana(Arecaceae); rotting  Olea paniculata(Oleaceae).   Remarks.Concerning this species, Bomans (1989: 14)wrote that " M.O. de Lisle (1967: 542)a décrit cet insecte d’après un exemplaire unique provenant de l’Ile Lord Howe (N.S.W., Australia). J’ai examiné le type conservé au Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Genève, et j’ai pu constater qu’effectivement la cuvette oculaire de l’insecte est présente mais entièrement chitinisée. Ce Figulusest donc bien aveugle comme le déclare de Lisle"[M.O. de Lisle (1967: 542)described this insect upon a single specimen from Lord Howe Island (N.S.W., Australia). I examined the type, housed in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle in Geneva, and I could verify that eye basin of the insect is indeed present, yet wholly chitinized. Therefore this  Figulusis really blind as de Lisle states]. Bomans adds that "le C.S.I.R.O. à Canbérra m’a transmis pour identification une série de Lucanides parmi lesquels j’ai trouvé 3 exemplaires de Figulus howei provenant, comme l’holotype, de l’île Lord Howe. J’ai constaté qu’un seul exemplaire est aveugle, les deux autres sont normaux" [C.S.I.R.O. (Canberra) sent me for identification a series of Lucanidae, among which I found three  Figulus howeispecimens, coming from Lord Howe Island as the holotype. I verified that only one specimen is blind, the other two are normal]. We examined the holotypefrom Lord Howe Island and several specimens from the same locality and verified that neither the holotypenor the other specimens seem to be really blind. The cuticle covering the eye may be normal or in various degrees thickened, as in other species of the genus, yet ommatides are always visible at the stereomicroscope. We dissected the male specimen labeled " Type" of F. h ow e i, and compared the genitalia with those of  F. nitens. We see no significant differences between F. how eiand  F. nitens, both in external and in genitalia characters, except for the variability falling within the individual range. Therefore we consider  F. howeias a junior synonym of  F. nitens( new synonymy). The same situation resulted from examination of external morphology and genitalia structures of the male of  F. tambourinensis.The characters given by Mjöberg (1916)to distinguish  F. tambourinensisfrom  F. nitensas “black head, sculpture of prothorax, and striae of the elytra” are within the range of the individual variability we have seen in F. n i t e ns.Therefore  F. tambourinensisis also here considered as a junior synonym of  F. nitens( new synonymy). 2882622302 10 457 2882622306 10 457 1324963874 BMNH, E, NHM Musaeo Mniszech & H. E. Bomans Australia Australia 12 459 1 2882622307 1967-10-28 ANIC P. B. Carne Australia Mount Ainslie Australian Capital Territory 12 459 1 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY 1324963850 1964-03-31 BMNH, NHM C. G. L. Gooding & C. G. L. Gooding Collection & International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature & H. E. Bomans Australia Canberra 12 459 1 Mount Ainslie Australian Capital Territory 1324963882 1960-09-19 ANIC K. M. L. Key Australia Reid 12 459 2 Mount Ainslie Australian Capital Territory 2882622308 1927-01-23 R. Oberthur Australia NEW SOUTH WALES Museum Paris 12 459 1 1 NEW SOUTH WALES 2882622304 1927-01-23 Collection R. Australia NEW SOUTH WALES Museum Paris 12 459 1 1 NEW SOUTH WALES 2882622303 1927-01-23 Collection R. Australia NEW SOUTH WALES Museum Paris 12 459 1 1 NEW SOUTH WALES 1324963858 1947-01-13 R. Calven & H. Hughes & A. Musgrave Australia Barrington Tops 12 459 1 New South Wales 1324963876 BMNH, E, NHM H. E. Bomans Australia Barrington Tops 12 459 1 1324963894 1999-01-06 1999-01-15 1999-01-06 ANIC M. Yee & R. B. Halliday & K. Pullen & K. Hebbard Australia -31.90361 Gummi Falls 20 151.46638 Barrington Tops State Forest 12 459 1 1324963880 1990-08-18 BMNH, NHM Tom Gush & Tom Gush Collection & Macleay Museum University & Sydney & H. E. Bomans Australia -34.533333 Belanglo State Forest 1198 150.23334 12 459 1 1324963872 [151,1432,1628,1653] 1999-01-04 ANIC Mount Belmore State Forest, N Australia Busbys Flat Mount Belmore State Forest 12 459 1 1324963897 1998-12-04 ANIC D, S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Mount Belmore State Forest Busbys Flat Rd 12 459 1 1324963859 ANIC Collection Australian Museum Australia Blue Mountains 12 459 1 1324963885 1986-12-19 D. K. McAlpine & B. J. Day Australia Mount Wilson Blue Mountains 12 459 1 1324963863 [526,1165,1772,1797] 1963-01-13 ANIC Australia Broulee 12 459 1 1 1324963893 1996-12-10 ANIC Bungabee State Forest, SE & S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Bungabee State Forest 12 459 1 1324963879 1982-10-26 ANIC Doyen & Lawrence Australia Clyde Mountain Cabbage Tree Creek 12 459 1 1324963891 1996-11-15 ANIC D, S. G. Watkins, S. G. Australia Casino Cambridge Plateau Richmond Range State Forest 12 459 1 1324963881 1980-02-18 ANIC M. R. Portor Australia Chiswick 12 459 1 1324963878 1996-11-13 ANIC Fortis Creek State Forest, N & S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Fortis Creek State Forest 12 459 1 1324963864 [870,1428,1988,2013] 1969-07 Australia Prison Glen Innes 12 459 1 1324963873 [151,976,151,176] 1970-12 ANIC University United Kingdom England 13 460 1 holotype 1324963865 1989-11 J. A. Walker & Insect Collection, K Australia Sydney Gordon 13 460 1 1324963900 1992-08-16 Insect Collection, K Australia Sydney Helensburgh 13 460 1 1324963884 1999-10-25 ANIC S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Bungabee State Forest Mackellar Range Road 13 460 1 1 1324963892 [318,1432,295,320] 1976-12-05 D. K. McAlpine Australia Gosford Mooney Mooney Creek 13 460 1 1324963875 2000-11-27 ANIC S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Ogilvie Trail 130 Whiporie Banyabba Nature Reserve 13 460 1 1 1324963913 1925-02-25 ANIC W. W. Froggatt & W. W. Froggatt Collection Australia Sydney Ourimbah 13 460 1 1324963914 1996-12-26 ANIC S. G. Watkins & S. G. Watkins Collection Australia Pennefathers Road Casino Cherry Tree State Forest 13 460 1 1 2882622311 1972-05-06 D. A. Doolan & D. A. Doolan Collection Australia Penrose State Forest 13 460 5 1324963904 2000-12-21 Insect Collection, K Australia Nymboi-Binderay National Park Platypus Flat 13 460 1 2882622305 1998-12-07 Girard State Forest, W Australia Powerful Owl Reserve Drake Girard State Forest 13 460 1 1 1324963901 1970-09-03 1970-09-04 1970-09-03 ANIC K. R. Pullen Australia Port Macquarie Sea Acres Reserve 13 460 1 1324963917 2011-01-01 Track W & A. Scott Australia Sunnyside Ridge Road Newnes State Forest Bungleboori 13 460 1 1324963903 1967-12-20 ANIC W. J. M. Vestjens Australia Tarago 13 460 1 2882622309 [258,1089,727,752] 13 460 2882622301 1995-12-04 Australia Wadsworth Trail Dingo State Forest Potoroo Road 13 460 1 1 1324963922 1986-11 1986-12-31 1986-11 ANIC Collection Australia Mount Glorious State Forest 13 460 1 QUEENSLAND 1324963883 22-04-20 NMVM Mount Tamborine, H. J. & Carter Collection P. Australia Mount Tamborine 13 460 1 QUEENSLAND 1324963908 [351,1276,871,896] NMVM Australia Mount Tamborine 13 460 1 Victoria 1324963887 1938-01 NMVM F. E. Wilson Collection Australia Bendoc 13 460 1 VICTORIA 1324963915 1919-01 NMVM C. Oke Australia Launching Place 13 460 1 VICTORIA 1324963902 1945-09-15 ANIC C. G. L. Gooding & C. G. L. Gooding Collection & International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature Australia Moe 13 460 1 VICTORIA 1324963921 1954-09-04 ANIC C. G. L. Gooding & C. G. L. Gooding Collection & International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature Australia Moe 13 460 4 VICTORIA 1324963906 1973-09 ANIC T. Brown & C. G. L. Gooding Collection & International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature Australia Tyers River 13 460 1 VICTORIA 1324963905 1962-05 ANIC J. M., C. G. L. Gooding Collection & International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature Australia Warragul 13 460 1 VICTORIA 1324963890 2003-05-11 2003-05-14 2003-05-11 AMS C. Reid Australia 13 460 K 187452 1 1 LORD HOWE ISLAND 1324963895 1965-01-21 1965-01-30 1965-01-21 BMNH, E, NHM G. Bornemissza & H. E. Bomans Australia Collection L. Bartolozzi 13 460 2 Lord Howe Island 1324963888 1966-11-26 BMNH, E, NHM R. W. Taylor & Johnston Beach & H. E. Bomans Australia 30 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963925 1985-01-21 2007-02 1985-01-21 NMVM G. F. Bornemissza & Graeme Krake Collection Australia 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963911 1985-01-21 1985-01-30 1985-01-21 AMS, LBC G. F. Bornemissza Australia Lord Howe Island 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963923 1921-12-29 AMS R. Baxter Australia 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963899 1966-12-02 1966-12-03 1966-12-02 ANIC R. W. Taylor Australia 61 Lord Howe Island 13 460 2 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963947 [623,1406,1412,1437] AMS Australia 13 460 1 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963939 BMNH, NHM Macleay Museum University & Sydney & H. E. Bomans Australia Lord Howe Island 13 460 1 1324963920 LBC Macleay Museum University & Sydney Australia Lord Howe Island 13 460 1 1 1324963928 1912-12 BMNH, NHM Lord Howe Island, A. M. & Lea, K & A. Lea & H. E. Bomans Australia Lord Howe Island 13 460 1 1324963910 [411,1226,1591,1616] 1912-12 LBC, GTC A. Lea Australia 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963926 QMB A. Lea Iceland Island 13 460 1 holotype 1324963938 1914-08-15 1914-08-17 1914-08-15 BMNH, NHM R. D. Laurie Collection & British Museum Iceland Island 13 460 1 holotype 1324963930 1919 1946 1919 BMNH, E, NHM Australia 13 460 2 Lord Howe Island 1324963919 1955-11 NMVM J. Balderson & F. E. Wilson Collection Australia 13 460 2 Lord Howe Island 1324963946 2002-12 AMS Mr Ushijima & Mr Chikakura Australia -31.5 Lord Howe Island 1216 159.06667 13 460 K 293078, K 293079 2 Lord Howe Island 1324963907 1985-01-21 ANIC G. Bornemissza Iceland Island 13 460 9 holotype 1324963934 [254,1148,1807,1832] 1985-01-21 G. Bornemissza Iceland Island 13 460 2 holotype 1324963909 1992-02-10 1992-02-15 1992-02-10 GBC G. F. Bornemissza Australia 13 460 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963942 1979-01-24 AMS T. Kingston Australia Lord Howe Island 13 460 K 187439 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963929 1923-12-18 AMS G. Whitley Australia Erskine Valley 13 460 K 293081 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963941 2000-11-30 CBCR, AMS C. Reid Australia 40 -31.561388 Boat Harbour Trail 20 159.09528 13 460 K 187446 1 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963927 1979-11-06 2000-12-08 1979-11-06 QMB C. Reid & Intermediate Hill & G. B. Monteith Australia Lord Howe Island 800 14 461 -31.554443 Intermediate Hill 20 159.08472 Goat House Track 13 460 1 2882622312 1965-01-21 2000-11-28 1965-01-21 AMS, NHM C. Reid & G. Bornemissza Australia Lord Howe Island -31.570835 Lord Howe Island 20 159.075 Lower Rd 14 461 1 2882622310 1965-01-21 1965-01-30 1965-01-21 NHM G. Bornemissza Australia Lord Howe Island -31.570835 Lord Howe Island 20 159.075 Lower Rd 14 461 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963912 1966-12-03 ANIC Nichols' & E. Britton Australia Lord Howe Island 14 461 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963918 2003-12-04 AMS L. Meades Australia Muttonbird Point Rocky Point 14 461 K 293077 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963916 2003-05-11 2003-05-14 2003-05-11 AMS Shadows & C. Reid Australia Lord Howe Island 14 461 K 187449 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963950 1979-11-01 QMB G. B. Monteith Australia Smoking Tree Ridge 14 461 1 Lord Howe Island 1324963933 2003-05-11 2003-05-14 2003-05-11 AMS C. Reid Australia 100 into forest path at Soldiers Creek 14 461 1 Lord Howe Island