An insular endemic stag beetle Neolucanus insulicola donan facing extinction by overexploitaion

Abstract

Neolucanus insulicola donan, is a stag beetle endemic to Yonaguni Island, a small island in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. The species is known to be a valuable indicator of the unique biogeographical composition of the archipelago and is useful for taxonomic research. However, it is now feared that this stag beetle is facing extinction as a result of the activities of insect dealers and collectors. Specimens are traded for high prices and are a rare commodity on the Japanese insect market. The species' population size was originally estimated to be over 600 but has declined to less than 1% of this number. In order to catch the larvae, the worst collectors have destroyed the tree cavities that the beetle uses for nesting. Collecting damages the habitat and this is likely to cause extinction of the species. It is obvious that such overexploitation has harmed the forest ecosystem on this island. Protection of this beetle depends on a prohibition on collecting and on preservation of Yonaguni Island's natural forest.