Prismognathus sinensis Bomans, 1989 (doubtful species)

(Figs. 107, 128, 235)

Prismognathus sinensis Bomans, 1989: 16 [type locality: Kuatun, Fujian].

Taxonomic notes. This species was originally described based on a single female from northern Fujian. The photos of the dorsal, ventral and lateral surfaces of the holotype have been examined by us, but the female genitalia have not been examined. The external characters of the holotype are within the parameters of individual variation of P. triapicalis from outside Sichuan. The pronotum of the holotype (Fig. 107) is weakly angled at lateral sides, as is also found in a female specimen of P. triapicalis from northern Chongqing (Fig. 103).

The mountains in southern Zhejiang have the same lucanid fauna as the Wuyishan Mountains in northern Fujian, they have been thoroughly explored by Chinese collectors for several years and only P. klapperichi and P. triapicalis have been found concerning Prismognathus . In a larger area including Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and Guangdong only P. davidis has been also recorded. Considering that the holotype of P. sinensis fits the individual variability of P. triapicalis, we believe that P. s i n e n s i s is probably a local form of P. triapicalis . To verify this hypothesis, either the holotype of P. sinensis needs to be dissected or more specimens need to be discovered from Kuatun.

The areas around Kuatun have been explored by several Chinese collectors in the last years, and no specimen corresponding to the characters of P. s i n e n s i s were found, and only P. klapperichi has been collected. This is probably due to the higher vertical distribution of P. s i n e n s i s than that of P. klapperichi . In the mountains of southern Zhejiang, P. triapicalis usually inhabits the area above 1400 m while P. klapperichi inhabits around 1000– 1300 m of altitude. It is rather difficult to reach the higher area of Kuatun above 1400 m and this higher area has not yet been explored by Chinese collectors.