Damon spec. (diadema?) - one or two???

[Peter Grabowitz]

 

[lucanidae]

Male, and the dorsal patterning on the carapace tells me it is D. diadema.

 

[8+)]

He needed that molt, looks like he was missing both whips!

dorsal patterning on the carapace

Is that redundant?;P How does the pattern differ from variegatus?

 

[lucanidae]

I have a copy of the most recent paper distinguishing all the species of the genus, that's how I learned to tell the difference. Most specimens coming into the U.S. today are misID'd. Could have been dorsal patterning on the abdomen, I wanted to be specific.

 

[8+)]

I've been told that many (most?) of the Damon sp. sold as D. variegatus coming out Tanzania are actually D. diadema. Is that mainly what you're talking about?

I need to take the time to ID mine, as one of my females has bumps!

 

[Peter Grabowitz]

left old skin... right fresh moulted Damon.... ;-)

 

[M.F.Bagaturov]

Hi Peter!

The coloration of these guys is unuseful tool for ID them.
You should check for palpal trochanter and if it's identical they should be the same species.
As for distinguish the diadema from variegatus as both species share the same "group" in Damon genus You should count the spines.
In diadema (as well as another species - D. brachialis, non-Tanzanian) they're are 2 on palpal trochanter, in other species of this group incl. D. variegatus - only one spine.