The quest to discover topotypical males of Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae): A little brown beetle story of intrigue, taxonomy, and ecology

Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) is the only named species of Sonoma in the Eastern United States among 25 total North American species. The holotype is a female collected from “cataractam Georgiæ.” While attempting to better define the species using male genitalia at least 16 additional cryptic species of Sonoma were discovered. A harrowing tale of the necessity of basic ecology and perseverance to recover the male specimens from the type locality will be given.