Sonoma holmesi, 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 : 23-24

14. Sonoma holmesi new species

Fig. 14 , 31 ; Map 8

Description. Holotype, male. Measurements: head 0.32 long, 0.41 wide; pronotum 0.45 long, 0.52 wide; elytra 0.77 long, 0.37 wide; antennomeres 1-11 total 0.97; total length 2.16.

Head. Eyes large, maximum length in dorsal view 9/10 length of first antennal segment, with approximately 35 facets. Antennomere 2 approximately 3/4 width of 1; 3 smallest.

Thorax. Elytra with row of two sutural foveae in basal 1/4; single foveae lateral of midpoint between sutural foveae; central row of 5 foveae in basal 2/5. 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. Lanceolate. Left paramere: wide, gently curving mesad; apical blade broadly triangular with acute apex; outer lateral setose process with 5 thick setae inserted dorsally and 1 thick seta inserted apically. Endophallus: lateral digitate process ventrad of right paramere, broad at base and elongate, strongly curved dorsally at apex, infiltrated with complex canaliculi; distal 1/3 of endophallus forming a broad dorsally curved shelf terminating to reinforced knob; terminating a short distance beyond reinforced portion as a thin lightly sclerotized tube. Right paramere: sinuate above base, nearly bifurcate; lateral setose process elongate, 1/3 length of entire paramere, 6 thick setae along lateral margin; lateral constriction at level of digitate process of endophallus; apical 3/5 thin with a left sigmoidal curve, apex blunt. Tubercles sparse, fine, scattered along dorsal faces of both parameres.

Type Material. Holotype, male: *N CAROLINA: Wilkes Co., Blue Ridge Parkway , Sheets Gap. 1020m. 36 o 21.84’N 81 o 18.29’W. Litter sifting 30 Apr 2006. A.K.Tishechkin / LSAM 0170166 (1M). Deposited in FMNH.

Paratypes (n=20). UNITED STATES: MARYLAND: Garrett Co.: * MARYLAND; GarrettCo. 2.1mi. E.KeysersRidge 18.vi.1968, 2500’el S.Peck, Ber #129 log–stump litter 220 lbs, 231 liters / FM ([?]D)68– 46 ( FMNH) (1M) . PENNSYLVANIA: Westmoreland Co.: * St. Vinc. Penn. / 10/13-[18]97 / Liebeck

Coll. / H. C. FALL COLLECTION ( MCZC) (1M). *St. Vinc. Penn. / 10/13-[18]97 / 10 [yellow circular label] / Liebeck Collection ( MCZC) (1M). *St. Vinc. Penn. / 1/2-[18]99 / H. C. FALL COLLECTION / Sonoma tolulae LeC. ( MCZC) (1M). *Chestnut Ridge, E. of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., PENNSYLVANIA 27. VI.1961 / Duff nr. Rhodod J. Wagner & W. Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (2M). *Chestnut Ridge, E. of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., PENNSYLVANIA 11.VII.1961 / Flood duff W.Suter, J.Wagner & D.Reichle legs. ( FMNH) (2M). *Chestnut Ridge, E. of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., PENNSYLVANIA 16.IX.1961 J. Wagner / Log Mold & Floor Berlese ( FMNH) (1M). *Chestnut Ridge, E. of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., PENNSYLVANIA 16.IX.1961 J.Wagner / Log Mold & Floor Berlese ( FMNH) (1M); same data, / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). *Chestnut Ridge, E. of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., PENN- SYLVANIA 22. VI.1962 / Floor Litter J.Berry & W.Suter leg. ( FMNH) (1M). *Chestnut Ridge, PENNA. Westmoreland Co. 16.IX.1964 / Litter at Log W.Suter leg. / [male symbol] ( FMNH) (1M). VIRGINIA: Tazewell/Bland Co.: * USA: Va., Tazewell– Bland Cos., 4.4 mi S Burks Garden, 30– VI –1968, FMHD #68–34, log litter, S. Peck ( FMNH) (1M). WEST VIRGINIA: Pocahontas Co.: * USA: WV: Pocah. [Pocahontas] Co. 16 mi East Richwood near For. Serv. Rd. 437; off Hwy 150 VIII– 23– 1990 / Sift hardwood litter near dead logs. S. O’Keefe ( DENH) (2M); same data ( DENH) (1M) SLIDE. * USA: WV. Pocahontas Co. 5mi N jct 150 & 39 on 150 V –17–1991 sift maple & conif. S. O’Keefe Collr. ( DENH) (2M). Wyoming Co.: *Pineville WVa / Leng. / 536 / 1953 ( MCZC) (1M).

Geographical Distribution. Specimens have been collected from southwestern Pennsylvania south through western Maryland, south central West Virginia, and western Virginia to northwestern North Carolina. Specimens have been collected from elevations ranging from 760-1020 m.

Comments. Specimens have been collected every month from April through September from “litter,” “hardwood litter near dead logs,” sifted maple and conifer, “flood duff,” “log–stump litter,” and duff near rhododendron. A Berlese funnel has been used as a collection technique.

Aedeagal characters of Sonoma holmesi are similar to those of S. tridens . The short broadly triangular blade of the left paramere, the broadly curved knob on the distal portion of the endophallus, and the elongate lateral setose process of the right paramere in S. holmesi will distinguish these two species. The right paramere will serve to distinguish it from all other species in the genus.

Etymology. The specific epithet is in recognition of Orlando Park’s enthusiasm for Sherlock Holmes, that culminated in Sherlock Holmes, Esq., and John H. Watson, M.D.: an encyclopaedia of their affairs (Park 1962). The specific epithet also celebrates the 160 year-old mystery surrounding the cryptic species of the genus Sonoma in eastern North America.

Figures

Figure 11-16. Habitus images. 11) Sonoma streptophorophallus, holotype. 12) Sonoma nhunguyeni, holotype. 13) Sonoma tridens, holotype. 14) Sonoma holmesi, holotype. 15) Sonoma tishechkini, holotype. 16) Sonoma mayori, holotype. Scale lines equal 1.0 mm.

Figure 28-31. Aedeagus images.28) Sonoma streptophorophallus, aedeagus (dorsal view). 29) Sonoma nhunguyeni, aedeagus (dorsal view). 30) Sonoma tridens, aedeagus (dorsal view). 31) Sonoma holmesi, aedeagus (dorsal view). Scale lines equal 0.1 mm. Right side of figure is anatomical left.