54 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 282 



have a relatively low number of paired fin rays, a uniformly dark color 

 pattern, and the pectoral spines lack developed serrae. As a group, 

 with N. gyrinus at one extreme and N. exilis at the other, the three 

 have in common a terminal or virtually terminal mouth and ten 

 preoperculomandibular pores. 



Ecological consideration. — A^. gyrinus is typically a species 

 inhabiting quiet or slow running waters, being especially abundant in 

 lakes and their outlets, sloughs, ponds, quiet backwaters, and in the 

 oxbows and base-level mouths of streams. It prefers a soft muddy 

 bottom with extensive vegetation and, according to Hankinson (1908), 

 nests in cavities. 



It has been taken in collections with the following species of Noturus: 

 leptacanthus, noctumus, funebris, phaeus, insignis, exilis, fiavus, 

 eleutherus, stigmosus, juriosus, and miurus. 



Remarks. — Two specimens in the Tulane University collection 

 are identified as Noturus gyrinus, with some doubt. They are TU 

 3818, Big Branch of Hog Branch (Tickfaw drainage), 2.8 mi. west of 

 Holden, U.S. Hwy. 190, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, and TU 11084, 

 oxbow of West Pearl River, 0.5 mi. north of Yellow Lake Bayou, 

 St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Counts from the specimens are 

 included in the summaries of variational data, usually listed as Florida 

 Parishes, Louisiana, and these are included in the tables comparing the 

 species of Noturus. Also included in the summaries are the caudal ray 

 counts of 22+84-13 + 17 = 60 for the fkst, and 20 + 13 + 15+16 = 64 

 for the latter specimen. The two locahties are plotted on the map 

 showing the distribution of gyrinus. 



Both specimens have a slightly included lower jaw. Otherwise the 

 color pattern, body shape, wide caudal fin, short adipose fin, and spines 

 seem typical of gyrinus. The number of fin rays, vertebrae, and pre- 

 operculomandibular pores is as high or higher than data obtained for 

 gyrinus from other portions of its range. The position of the lower j aw 

 and the high counts suggest that the specimens may possibly be 

 hybrids. If so, they may be crosses of Noturus gyrinus and Noturus 

 noctumus. Discounting the position of the lower jaw, they seem other- 

 wise to be fairly typical gyrinus, but having a high average number 

 of meristic characters. 



Noturus lachneri, new species 



OUACHITA MADTOM 



Plates 3 (fig. 2), 5 (fig. 2); Map 1 



Type.— USNM 201592 (holotype), collected from the Middle Fork 

 of the Saline River at Arkansas Highway 7 crossing, 11.2 miles north 

 of Mountain Valley, Garland County, Arkansas, May 27, 1967, by 

 Leslie and Betty Knapp. 



