Members of the stag beetle family (Lucanidae) have greatly enlarged mandibles that are often forked, resembling the horns of various deer, from which their common name comes, and similar modifications appear in various scarab beetles and longhorn beetles. Males of these beetles use their mandibles to grasp or displace each other as they compete for mates.
Members of the stag beetle family (Lucanidae) possess remarkably large mandibles that are frequently bifurcated, resembling the antlers of various deer, from which their common name originates, and similar modifications can be found in various scarab beetles and longhorn beetles. Males of these beetles utilize their mandibles to grasp or displace one another as they contend for mates.