CATFISH GENUS NOTURUS RAFINESQUE 47 



times truncate behind, frequently rounded, but usually ending in an 

 obtuse point, formed by the extreme elongation of the middle caudal 

 rays. 



The numerous branched caudal rays are very characteristic of this 

 species. Their large number results from splitting or branching of 

 the ends of the long procurrent and principal rays. The number of 

 branched rays in 143 specimens from throughout the range varies 

 from 15 to 40; there seems to be no definite geographic trend. Speci- 

 mens from Michigan average 30.4 branched rays, some from New 

 Jerse}" 23.8, Indiana specimens 21.7, and samples from Missouri, 

 Texas, Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina average between 27.5 

 and 31.3. Branched rays in the lower lobe of the caudal fin similarly 

 are low in number in the samples from New Jersey, Maryland, and 

 New Hampshire, averaging 11.1; other samples, as indicated above, 

 average from 12.5 to 13.9; the total mean is 13.3, and the range 9 

 to 17. Branched rays in the upper lobe of the fin are a little more 

 variable, with means as follows: New Jersey, Maryland, and New 

 Hampshire, 12.3; Great T.akes basin, 16.6; Indiana, 9.4; North Carolina, 

 16.0; Missouri, 13.6; Texas, 16.8; Alabama, 17.5; Florida, 17.1. The 

 total range is 6 to 23 and the mean 14.3. 



As a result of the excessive branching of the long rays, the number of 

 simple rays is reduced. The upper simple rays vary from 8 to 26; 

 they may be fewer in number northward; the overall average is 16.9. 

 The lower simple t&js seem to increase slightly in number south- 

 ward. They range from 8 to 13 in Michigan (mean 9.8), 10 to 15 in 

 Indiana (mean 12.6), 9 to 15 in Missouri (mean 12.3), 10 to 16 in 

 Texas (mean 12.2), and 12 to 17 in Florida (mean 14.5); the extremes 

 of all samples tabulated are 8 and 18, and the mean is 12.7. 



The soft dorsal rays vary geographically; they range from four 

 to seven. Skeletons and cleared and stained specimens from the Great 

 Lakes basin, Louisiana, and North Carolina indicate that the ossified 

 pectoral radials (actinosts) are fused (in 30 specimens) on each side; 

 one specimen has ten vertebrae anterior to the anal fin origin and 

 ten have eleven. There are usually ten or fewer gill rakers on the 

 first arch; they range from five to ten in Florida and from seven to 

 nine in Michigan. The largest specimen examined is 105 mm. in 

 standard length. In the same series of 17, USNM 199589, from Goose 

 Creek, near Louisville, Kentucky, are four others ranging from 91 

 to 98 mm. in standard length. Otherwise, specimens rarely attain 

 lengths of 90 mm. 



The color in life varies from a dull golden yeUow to olive gray. 

 Preserved specimens are usually gray or brown; some are nearly 

 black. The fins, barbels, and upper body surfaces are nearly uni- 

 formly pigmented, but the barbels and fins may be darker or lighter 



