Sonoma chouljenkoi, Ferro & Carlton, 2010

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 : 17-20

9. Sonoma chouljenkoi new species

Fig. 9 , 26 ; Maps 2, 4

Sonoma tolulae: Marsh and Schuster 1962 (not LeConte 1849)

Description. Holotype, male. Measurements: head 0.33 long, 0.40 wide; pronotum 0.44 long, 0.50 wide; elytra 0.70 long, 0.35 wide; antennomeres 1-11 total 0.89; total length 2.00.

Head. Eyes prominent, maximum length in dorsal view 6/10 length of first antennal segment, with approximately 50 facets. Antennomere 2 approximately 7/10 width of 1; 3 smallest.

Thorax. Elytra with row of 2 sutural foveae in basal 1/3; single fovea laterad of basal sutural fovea; row of five central foveae extending distad to midpoint. 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; apex of endophallus extending beyond parameres. Left paramere: curved, base parallel sided, blade-like in apical one third, row of 6 thick setae attached in lateral 1/3, apex acute. Endophallus: base bulbous; lateral digitate process equal to width of and ventrad from right paramere, sharply curved dorsally to rounded apex; sigmoidal and narrowing in apical third, apex with elongate sclerotized sigmoid curve to left followed by lightly sclerotized sigmoid curve terminated posteriorly. Right paramere: bulbous at base, width 3/5 length; dorsolateral setose process short, rounded, with 1 basal and 3 apical setae; lateral constriction at level of digitate process of endophallus; apical 1/2 narrow, weakly angulate at midpoint, mesally curved to rounded apex. Tubercles sparse, fine, scattered along basal half of dorsal faces of both parameres.

Type Material. Holotype, male: * TENNESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Porters Creek Tr. @ 35 o 40.1’N 83 o 23.6’W 850m. Forest litter. 31 July 2004. C.E.Carlton & N.Lowe / LSAM 0094971 (1M). Deposited in FMNH.

Paratypes (n=88). UNITED STATES: ALABAMA: Cherokee Co.: *ALA., Jackson Co. Indian Rocks Cave 5.5 mi. s Skyline 16.IX.67 x / Forest floor debris at rotten wood / T.G.Marsh W.M.Andrews Collectors / H. R.Steeves Collection / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). * Alabama: Cherokee Co. Desoto SP 34 o 29.880’N 85 o 37.152’W forest liter 20 Aug 2009 I.M.Sokolov / LSAM 0170154 (1M). GEORGIA: Dade Co.: *GA: Dade Co., 5mi SE of Cloudland Can. SP. [?]ogd’s Lake April 20, 1983 [?]ing forest floor / 4.20.83 F CLC / ( FMNH) (1M). Walker Co.: *GA: Walker Co. Pigeon Mtn. Nr. Rocky Lane at 34 o 39.972’ N 85 o 22.467’ W 495m / Litter Berlese I.M.Sokolov 24 March 2008 / LSAM 0170155 (1M); same data, LSAM 0170156 (1M). KENTUCKY: *Ky. / H. C. FALL COLLECTION ( MCZC) (1M). Bath Co.: * USA:KY:Bath Co., Daniel Boone N. F. 4 mi from Clear / Ck. Rec. Area [??] [??] 918. XIII–5–1988 RMReeves sift rotten stump ( DENH) (1M). Edmonson Co.: *KY. Edmonson Co. Mammoth Cave Nat. Park 8–APR– 1950. L.J. Stannard Acc. 49602 / LSAM 0002060 (1M). *KY.:Edmonton [Edmonson] Co.; Mammoth Cave Natl. Pk. Bruce Hollow VIII:24–27:1967 / leg.S.Peck, A.Fiske FM ( HD)#67–145 Berlese log, stump litter / Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Orland Park Pselaphidae Colln. (FMNH) (11M). *KY.:Edmonson Co.; Mammoth Cave Natl. Pk. Cabin Woods h 24.III.1973 / Litter at log leg. W.Suter / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (5M). *KY.:Edmonson Co.; Mammoth Cave Natl. Pk. Cabin Woods 24 March 1973 / Litter at log lowland leg. W.Suter / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). * USA: Ky., Edmonson Co., Mammoth Cave Natl. Pk., Cabin Woods, 20–IV–1983, FMHD #83–26, ex log, W. Suter ( FMNH) (1M). * USA: Ky., Edmonson Co., Mammoth Cave Natl. Pk., Cabin Woods, 20–IV–1983, FMHD #83–119, litter pocket along stream, W. Suter ( FMNH) (2M). Meade Co.: *Rockhaven KY [Meade Co.] 7/22/94 / LSAM 0002053 (1M). NORTH CARO- LINA: Buncombe Co. : *BlackMts. NC VII-15 1912 Beutenmuller ( MCZC) (1M). *BlackMts. NC VII-30 1912 Beutenmuller ( MCZC) (1M). *BlackMts. NC VIII-27 1912 Beutenmuller ( MCZC) (1M). *BlackMts. NC VIII-31 1912 Beutenmuller ( MCZC) (2M). *BlackMts. NC X-11 1912 Beutenmuller ( MCZC) (1M). *Mt. Mitchell St. Pk. Commissary Ridge Trail Buncombe Co., N. C. 2.VII.60 Alt. c6,600’ Rhododendron & spruce duff / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collector / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collection / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). *Bl. Mount [??]_N.C. / Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Orland Park Pselaphidae Colln. (FMNH) (1M). *Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Orland Park Pselaphidae Colln. / Faronus tolulae [male symbol] Black Mt., N.C. Sept. ABDOMEN ( FMNH) (1M). *Bl. Mount N.C. / Sonoma tolulae LeC. ( MCZC) (1M). Haywood Co.: * USA: NC: Haywood GSMNP BRPW nr. Cove Field Ridge Overlook; litter / 35 o 25.84’N 83 o 21.15’W 1420m 21 Sep. 2005 ATishechkin / LSAM 0092324 (1M). Swain Co.: * N Carolina: Swain Co. GSMNP, Lakeshore Tr. at 35 o 28’20”N 83 o 43’14”W 630m. Forest litter 18 July 2003. A.Tishechkin/ LSAM 0091822 (1M) SLIDE. Yancy Co.: *Mt. Mitchell N.C. 4-6000’ / June 1939 Quirsfeld / Sonoma tolulae LeC. / C. A. Frost Collection 1962 ( MCZC) (1M). *N. CAR.:Yancy Co. Mt. Mitchill 31. V. 1973 g / fern rhizome W.Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (3M). *N. CAR.:Yancy Co. Mt. Mitchill 31. V. 1973 g / fern rhizome fir, summit W.Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (5M). *N. CAR.:Yancy Co. Mt. Mitchill 31. V.1973 [?] / fern rhizome fir, summit W.Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). *N. CAR.:Yancy Co. Mt. Mitchill 31. V.1973 [?] / Litter at log leg. W.Sute / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (2M). TENNESSEE: Bledsoe Co.: *Fall Creek Falls St. Park, Bledsoe Co., TENNESSEE 1 September 1961 J.Wagner & W.Suter legs. / Floor Litter nr. Rhododendron W.Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (4M). Blount Co.: * USA: TN: Blount Co. GSMNP, lower Gregory Ridge Tr 1 mi from trail-head / Berlese leaf litter 28 Jul 2004 A Tishechkin Beetle Blitz / LSAM 0146908 ( GSNP) (1M). * TENNESSEE: Blount Co., GSMNP, Grapeyard Ridge Tr. at. 35 o 41.68’N 83 o 27.77’W Litter sifting. 1 August 2004 V.Bayless & S.Gil / LSAM 0107302 ( GSNP) (1M). * USA: TN: Blount Co. GSMNP Tremont N35 o 37.308’ W83 o 40.447’ 4 October 2006 SN2 CWD5 2 of 3 –M Ferro / LSAM 0152196 (1M); same data, LSAM 0152197 (1M). * USA: TN: Blount Co. GSMNP Tremont N35 o 37.308’ W83 o 40.447’ 3 April 2007 SN2 CWD5 2 of 3 –M Ferro / LSAM 0152211 (1M). Cocke Co.: * USA: TN: Cocke Co. GSMNP Albright Grove N35 o 44.173’ W83 o 16.647’ 15 VII–17 VIII 2006 SP33B –CWD Rear 1– M Ferro / LSAM 0170153 (1M). Fentress Co.: * Jordan Motel TENN. Jamestown, Pickett Co. [Fentress Co.] 16. VI.62 A Forest Floor Debris / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collector / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collection / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (3M). * Jordan Motel TENN. Jamestown, Fentress Co. B 13–IV–63 / Forest floor debris nr. dead wood / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collector / H. R. Steeves Jr. Collection / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). Pickett Co.: * USA: Tenn., Pickett Co., Pickett St. Pk., 7–XII–1980, FMHD #80-120, conc. litter nr. stream (pine rhodod.), H. Dybas ( FMNH) (1M). Sevier Co.: *Tenn.:Sevier Co., Smoky Mtn. Natl. Pk., VI –17–1978 TPCopland ( DENH) (1M) SLIDE. * TN: Sevier Co., GSMNP Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trl. Dry leaf litter, 13 April 1995 / ( GSNP) (1M). * TENNESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Twin Creek ATBI Plot. FIT#1. 26 June – 1 July 2001. V.Bayless, C.E.Carlton & A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0113013 (1M). *TEN- NESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Twin Creek ATBI Plot. Malaise trap MT-0120010706. 21 June – 6 Jul 2001. I.C.Stocks / LSAM 0096225 ( GSNP) (1M). * U.S. A, TN, Sevier Co. GSMNP, Chimneys Picnic Area Nature Trail, 83 o 29’45” W, 35 o 38’6” N, elv. 891 m / forest litter berlese 28 June 2001, C. Carlton, A. Tishechkin, V. Moseley / LSAM 0002767 ( GSNP) (1M). * TENNESSEE: Sevier Co. GSMNP, Porters Creek Tr. @ 35 o 40.1’N 83 o 23.6’W 850m. Forest litter. 31 July 2004. C.E.Carlton &N.Lowe / LSAM 0094963 (1M) SLIDE; same data, LSAM 0094964 (1M); same data, LSAM 0094970 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek N35 o 40.790’ W83 o 23.855’ 12 IV -18 V 2006 SP25C –CWD Rear 1 –M Ferro / LSAM 0167675 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Greenbrier N35 o 43.147’ W83 o 23.349’ 24 VI -15 VII 2006 SN12A – CWD Rear 1 –M Ferro / LSAM 0167676 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek N35 o 40.790’ W83 o 23.855’ 24 VI -15 VII 2006 SP25C –CWD Rear 1 –M Ferro / LSAM 0170150 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek N35 o 40.790’ W83 o 23.855’ 15 VII-17VIII 2006 SP24C –CWD Rear 1 –M Ferro / LSAM 0167673 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Sugarlands QW N35 o 39.826’ W83 o 31.509’ 6 October 2006 SN3 CWD5 2 of 3 –M Ferro / LSAM 0152214 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek trail 6 October 2008 N35 o 40.79’ W83 o 23.85’ Sifting CWD 5 M. Ferro / LSAM 0170149 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek N35 o 40.790’ W83 o 23.855’ 4X’ 06 – 1 IV 2007 SP25A –CWD Rear 1 –M Ferro / LSAM 0167672 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Porters Creek 5 April 2007 N35 o 40.790’ W83 o 23.855’ SP2 Litter 1 of 3 –M.Gimmel / LSAM 0152198 (1M). * USA: TN: Sevier Co. GSMNP Sugarlands QW N35 o 39.826’ W83 o 31.509’ 8 October 2008 Sifting Litter/CWD 5 M. Ferro / LSAM 0170151 (1M); same data, LSAM 0170152 (1M). Sulivan Co.: *Tenn.: Sulivan Co. Bristol [?]–5–1978 TPCopland ( DENH) (1M). Locality Unknown: *[?] / ex: Collection of Rev. Jerome Schmitt (1890–1904)? St. Vincent Archabby / Raf. tolulae L ( FMNH) (1M).

Geographical Distribution. Sonoma chouljenkoi has the widest known distribution of any eastern species of Sonoma . It ranges from north central Kentucky south to northern Alabama and eastward to western North Carolina. Specimens have been collected from elevations ranging from 495-2011 m.

Comments. Sonoma chouljenkoi has been collected every month from March through October from “forest litter,” coarse woody debris decay class V (“CWD5”), “dry leaf litter,” “pine and rhododendron litter,” “fern rhizome,” “rhododendron & spruce duff,” and “log, stump litter”. A Berlese funnel was reported as a collection technique. This is the only eastern species of Sonoma to have been collected in Malaise and flight intercept traps indicating an active flight period. Both specimens were collected during a late June to early July trapping period.

Aedeagal characters of Sonoma chouljenkoi are similar to those of S. sokolovi . The wide base, wide digitate process, and shape of the apical 1/3 of the endophallus along with the shape of the right paramere (angulate at midpoint of apical 1/2) and the mesally curved to rounded apex will serve to separate it from S. sokolovi . The elongate sclerotized sigmoid curve at the apex of the endophallus is a unique feature in the genus.

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

Etymology. This species is named for Dmitry “Mad Dog” Vladimirovich Chouljenko, one of the co-collectors of the paratypes of this species and a participant in the Coleoptera component of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory at GSMNP.

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.