Sonoma tolulae ( LeConte, 1849 )

Ferro, Michael L. & Carlton, Christopher E., 2010, Fifteen new species of Sonoma Casey from the eastern United States and a description of the male of Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Insecta Mundi 2010 (137), pp. 1-44 : 15-17

8. Sonoma tolulae ( LeConte, 1849)

Fig. 8 , 25 ; Maps 2, 13

Faronus tolulae LeConte 1849: 108-109 . Holotype, female. Label: *[orange disc = Southern States; Gulf States; VA, NC, SC, eastern TN?, GA, AL, MS, FL, AR?, LA] / Type, [typed] 6184 [hand written] / Faronus tolulae [hand written] / HOLOTYPE [typed] Faronus tolulae LeConte [hand written]. Type locality: Tolulae cataractam Georgiae. Type deposition: MCZC. LeConte 1851: 215. Brendel and Wickham 1890: 75-77.

Rafonus tolulae: Casey 1893: 441-442 . Casey 1908: 257.

Sonoma tolulae: Raffray 1904: 499-500 . Bowman 1934: 6.

Description. Male. Measurements: head 0.30 long, 0.40 wide; pronotum 0.40 long, 0.45 wide; elytra 0.58 long, 0.29 wide; antennomeres 1-11 total 1.04; total length 2.04.

Head. Eyes large, maximum length in dorsal view equal to length of first antennal segment, with approximately 40 coarse facets. Antennomere 2 approximately 3/4 width of 1; 3 smallest.

Thorax. Elytra with a row of five sutural foveae extending distad to midpoint; a second row of 4 foveae parallel and mesad to the sutural foveae, distance of the first and second foveae greater than 2x the distance from the second to third foveae; a third row of three smaller foveae laterad to the central row and contained within the middle one third of the elytra. Winged.

Abdomen. Transverse row of microtrichia on first visible tergite narrowly interrupted at midline. No abdominal foveae. Basal pubescence present on all visible ventrites.

Aedeagus. Compact; parameres and endophallus approximately same length. Left paramere: bulbous, distal 1/3 symmetrically convergent to acute apex, ventral longitudinal flange with 7 thick curved setae at distal 1/3. Endophallus: base half as wide as left paramere, wide lateral digitate process ventrad from right paramere, apex with sigmoid curve to left terminated posteriorly. Right paramere: lateral lobe short, rounded, with 5 thick curved setae along apex; lateral constriction at level of digitate process of endophallus; right lateral margin abruptly curved to produce acute apex with straight outer margin. Tubercles scattered along basal 3/4 of dorsal surface of left paramere, and basal half of dorsal face of right paramere.

Material Studied (n=63). UNITED STATES: GEORGIA: Rabun Co.: * USA:GA:Rabun Co., Satolah, V-29-1983 DSChandler, [?] Rhododendron & mixed leaf litter ( DENH) (1M). * USA: Georgia: Rabun Co. Tallulah Falls N 34 o 44.360’ W 83 o 23.917’ 7 Oct 2008 M. Ferro Leaf Litter 475m / LSAM 0170147 (1M); same data, LSAM 0170165 (1M). Towns Co.: * USA: Georg., Towns Co., 1 mi. S Brasstown Bald, (4000’), 15-V-1981, FMHD #81-169, ex litter under rhododen. on hillside 20 stream edge, L. Watrous ( FMNH) (4M). * USA: Georg., Towns Co. 1 mi. S. Brasstown Bald, 15-V-1981, FMHD #81-170, ex litter under rhododen. along stream, L. Watrous ( FMNH) (1M). * USA: Georg., Towns Co., 1 mi. S. Brasstown Bald, 15-IV-1981, FMHD #81-172, ex damp litter at base of steep incline, L. Watrous ( FMNH) (9M). Union Co.: *Brasstown Bald, GA. Union Co. II·VIII·63 El. 2750 B / H. R.Steeves Jr. J.D.Patrick Jr. Collectors/ Rhododendron and softwood debris/ H. R. Steeves Jr. Collection / [male symbol]. ( FMNH) (2M). *GA.: Union Co. Blairsville (7 mi. E.?); below Brasstown Bald; VI:14:1973; 1400’. leg. W. Suter WS#73-60a; FM ( HD)#73-243 Ber.: sawdust & pine litter on periphery of small pile. ( FMNH) (1M). NORTH CARO- LINA: Macon Co. : * USA: N. Carol., Macon Co., 3 mi NW Highlands, 15-V-1981, FMHD #81-174, ex litter under rhododen. and hemlock, L. Watrous. ( FMNH) (1M). Swain Co.: * USA N.C. Swain Co. Dirt Rd. from Heintooga Overlook to Cherokee / Lot # 76-103 Oct. 14, 1976 Berlesate 5300’-5000’ R.Chenowith & J.Heiss / LSAM 0002042 (1M). * USA N.C. Swain Co. Dirt Rd. from Heintooga Overlook to Cherokee / Lot #77-89 June 27, 1977 Berlesate 5100’-4900’ R.Chenowith & J.Heiss / LSAM 0002061 (1M). *N CARO- LINA: Swain Co. GSMNP, Andrews Bald 1755 m. 1m 2 litter. 27 June 1996. Coyle, Edwards, Stiles & Wright / LSAM 0096222 (1M). *N CAROLINA: Swain Co. GSMNP, Andrews Bald 1755m. 1m 2 litter. 6 Sept 1997. Aiken, Coyle, Davis & Edwards / LSAM 0096221 (1M); same data, LSAM 0096224 ( GSNP) (1M). *N CAROLINA: Swain Co. GSMNP, Appalachian Tr. at Beech Gap. 35 o 28’27”N 83 o 42’27”W. 1650m. Forest litter / rotten wood 20 July 2003. A.Tishechkin. / LSAM 0091889 (1M); same data, LSAM 0091890 (1M). *N CAROLINA: Swain Co. GSMNP, Thunderhead Mt. nr. summit @ 35 o 33.95’N 83 o 42.6’W 1615m. Forest litter. 30 July 2004 A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0095568 (1M); same data, LSAM 0095569 (1M) SLIDE; same data, LSAM 0095570 (1M); same data, LSAM 0095571 (1M); same data, LSAM 0095572 (1M). * USA: NC: Swain Co. GSMNP Near Pecks Corner Shelter Leaf litter, Berlese Funnel Mixed forest on ridge, 5396’ 35 o 39.064N, 83 o 18.566W 5 Oct 2004, WD Merritt / LSAM 0170146 (1M). TENNESSEE: Blount Co.: *Smoky Mts. N. C.-Tenn Newfound Gap 5,000 -5,200 ft. / Aug. 30 1930 Darlington ( MCZC) (1M). * USA NCSWAINCOGSMNP Indian Gap 17 VII 03 J&S Cornell Hemlock Liter w/ fungi JFC003- VII-17-2C ( JFCC) (1M). * TENNESSEE / N. CAROL. Border. GSMNP Newfound Gap. 35.611 oN 83.425 oW. 5075’. Sift litter 19 July 2003. S.O’Keefe / LSAM 0091840 (1M) SLIDE. * TENNESSEE: Blount Co. GSMNP, lower Gregory Ridge Tr. @ 35 o 33.5’N 83 o 50.5’W. 630m. For. Litter 28 Jul 2004. A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0095579 ( GSNP) (1M); same data, LSAM 0095580 (1M). * TENNESSEE: Blount Co., GSMNP, App. Tr. ~ 0.6km W Mt. Thunderhead summit at 35 o 34.11’N 83 o 42.00’W 1585m. Forest litter sifting 13 April 2006. A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0107286 (1M). * TENNESSEE: Blount Co., GSMNP, Mt. Thunderhead nr. summit at 35 o 34.02’N 83 o 42.60’W. 1625m. Forest litter. 30.vii.2004. A.Tishechkin / LSAM 0107295 (1M). * TENNESSEE: Blount Co. GSMNP, Mt. Thunderhead nr. Summit @ 35 o 34.1’N 83 o 42.5’W. 1650m. Litter 30 Jul 2004. A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0091947 ( GSNP) (1M); same data, LSAM 0091948 (1M); same data, LSAM 0091950 (1M). Sevier Co.: * U.S.A., TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP, 0.5 kn NE Newfound Gap, elv. 1600m 83 o 24’46”W, 35 o 38’9” N / forest litter Berlese 26 June 2001 C. Carlton, V. Moseley A. Tishechkin / LSAM 0002286 (1M); same data, LSAM 0002287 (1M); same data, LSAM 0002289 (1M); same data, LSAM 0002290 (1M); same data, LSAM 0002291 (1M). * U.S.A., TN, Sevier Co. Appalachian Trail at Beech Gap on Clingmans Dome Rd. 83 o 26’50” W, 35 o 36’36” N / elv. 1750 m, forest litter berlese 28 June 2001, C. Carlton, A. Tishechkin, V. Moseley / LSAM 0002629 (1M). * USA, TN, Sevier Co. Great Smoky Mt. Nat. Pk. Beech gap on Clingmans Dome Rd. where Appal. / Trail crosses rd. 28 June 2001, C. Carlton, A. Tishechkin, V. Moseley / LSAM 0096334 (1M). * U.S.A., TN, Sevier Co. GSMNP, Laurel Falls Trail 83 o 35’36”W, 35 o 40’19”N / elev. 747m, Epifagus berlese 1 July 2001, C. Carlton, V. Moseley A. Tishechkin / LSAM 0002546 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Trillium Gap Tr. on Mt. Leconte 35 o 39.9’N 83 o 26.2’W / Berlese litter 29 Jul 2001 A Tishechkin / LSAM 0146470 (1M); same data, LSAM 0146471 (1M). *TEN- NESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Indian Head Tr. 35.60944 oN 83.44659 oW Sift litter. 5290’ 20 July 2003. S.O’Keefe / LSAM 0080774 (1M). * TENNESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Road Prong Tr. at 35 o 36’36”N 83 o 27’3”W 1580m. Leaf / moss mat litter. 20 July 2003 A. Tishechkin / LSAM 0091848 (1M); same data, LSAM 0091854 (1M); same data, LSAM 0091868 (1M). * Tennessee: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Trillium Gap Tr. @ 35 o 39.9’N 83 o 26.2’W 1400m. Forest litter. 29 July 2004. A.Tishechkin/ LSAM 0091968/ (1M). *Tennes- see: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Trillium Gap Tr. @ 35 o 40.3’N 83 o 26.7’W 1420m. Forest litter. 29 July 2004. A.Tishechkin/ LSAM 0091968/ (1M). * Tennessee: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Alum Cave Bluff ~¼mi behind Alum Cave 35 o 38.6’N 83 o 26.8’W 1480m. Forest litter. 30 Jul 2004. JBrown & B.Pynn / LSAM 0094908 ( GSNP) (1M); same data, LSAM 0094915 (1M). * TENNESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, App. Tr. ~ 2km W Derrick Knob Shelter 35 o 34.07’N 83 o 39.81’W 1450m. Forest litter. 7 June 2005. A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0094927 (1M).

Geographical Distribution. Sonoma tolulae is known from the central portion of the eastern border of Tennessee, across the western tip of North Carolina and into extreme northeastern Georgia. Specimens have been collected from elevations ranging from 425-1755 m.

Comments. Specimens have been collected every month from April through October from “leaf litter,” “forest litter,” “Leaf/moss mat litter,” “ Epifagus berlese,” “Forest litter / rotten wood,” “litter under rhododendron and hemlock,” “sawdust & pine litter on periphery of small pile,” and “damp litter”. Author MLF collected one female and two male specimens from rotted wood (decay class V).

The holotype described by LeConte is female ( MCZ Type Database 2009) and was collected from “Tolulae cataractam Georgiae” ( LeConte 1849). Author MLF visited Tallulah Falls in Rabun County, Georgia in the fall of 2007 and the fall of 2008 and collected two male and one female specimens. The aedeagal characters of the two male specimens were identical. Based on the presumed type locality and absence of other species, we concluded that these specimens are conspecific with S. tolulae .

Aedeagal characters of Sonoma tolulae are similar to those of S. sokolovi . However, the acute apex of the left paramere and shape of the right paramere (right lateral margin abruptly curved to produce an acute apex with straight outer margin) and the lack of a subapical internal lobe on the apex of the right paramere in S. tolulae will distinguish these two species.

Individuals may have either fully formed flight wings, reduced flight wings, or be entirely brachypterous. Individuals with reduced or absent flight wings have no microtrichia on tergite one.

A disarticulated specimen of Sonoma chouljenkoi from Black Mountain, Buncombe County, North Carolina was in Orlando Park’s collection labeled Sonoma tolulae . It appeared to be specifically prepared to be used as a model for external morphology illustrations. Park provided several illustrations of “ Sonoma tolulae ” in A Study in Neotropical Pselaphidae (1942) and we suspect that S. chouljenkoi was used as the model. However, the stylized form of the drawings and lack of noticeable differences in the external structures between S. chouljenkoi and S. tolulae resulted in drawings that were not species specific.

The only previous illustration of an aedeagus attributed to S. tolulae is in Marsh and Schuster (1962). The illustration is clearly of S. chouljenkoi and the only additional locality given by them is “Black Mountain, Buncombe County, North Carolina.” They do not say how or from whom they obtained the specimen or illustration, but probably the specimen or illustration came from Orlando Park and is based on a specimen from the same series from which his disarticulated model came. We found no examples of dissected genitalia labeled Sonoma tolulae in Orlando Park’s material.

Figures

Figure 6-10. Habitus images. 6) Sonoma gilae, holotype. 7) Sonoma gimmeli, holotype. 8) Sonoma tolulae (M). 9) Sonoma chouljenkoi, holotype. 10) Sonoma sokolovi, paratype (M). Scale lines equal 1.0 mm.

Figure 24-27. Aedeagus images. 24) Sonoma gimmeli, aedeagus (dorsal view). 25) Sonoma tolulae, aedeagus (dorsal view). 26) Sonoma chouljenkoi, aedeagus (dorsal view). 27) Sonoma sokolovi, aedeagus (dorsal view). Scale lines equal 0.1 mm. Right side of figure is anatomical left.