CATFISH GENUS NOTURUS RAFINESQUE 99 



to Econfina Creek, Florida. Although it lives well upstream in the 

 Alabama and Tombigbee River systems, the centers of abundance 

 appear to be in the lower portions of the stream systems. 



Etymology. — The n&me J unebris (Latin) means of or belonging to 

 a funeral; the allusion is in reference to the dark color. 



Relationship. — Noturus funebris and Noturus phaeus are recog- 

 nized as forming the funebris species group because of their many 

 similarities. Intimate relationship with other species of Noturus is not 

 apparent. Noturus funebris and Noturus noctumus are strikingly 

 similar superficially, especially externally. Both species are similarly 

 dark colored and lack pectoral spine serrae. The lower surfaces of 

 noctumus gradually darken with age and increase in size so that 

 noctumus is not readily distinguished horn, funebris except in number of 

 anal rays and in the relative slenderness and flexibility of the dorsal 

 spine. Noturus noctumus, with its apparent relative Noturus insignis, 

 thus may be moderately closely related to the funebris group. 



Ecology. — Most records are from permanent springs, creeks, and 

 small to moderate size streams. The species is often found under 

 vegetation in moderate to fast clear water over a small gravel or coarse 

 sand bottom. It has been taken in collections with N. leptacanthu^, 

 N. gyrinus, N. munitus, and probably with A^. miurus. 



Remarks. — Thomerson (1966) listed other fish associates and 

 described aspects of the biology of a population oi funebris from west- 

 ern Florida, based on formalin preserved specimens. He concluded 

 that females did not reach maturity until approximately 100 mm. in 

 standard length; three females, 104 to 119 mm. long, contained 114 

 to 192 ova. Because of long storage in formalin he was unable to 

 determine the age of the specimens but concluded from a length 

 frequency distribution that the sample, collected March 8, 1961, 

 contained several year classes. The larger size specimens were poorly 

 represented. I question his classes I-III, specimens 25 to 35 mm. in 

 standard length, those 45 to 50 mm., and those 55 to 65 mm. especially. 

 The growth rate of his first three classes is materially shorter than 

 that obtained by Clugston and Cooper (1960) for Noturus insignis. 

 They found an average annual increase of about 45 mm. total length 

 in Pennsylvania. The season of growth is undoubtedly longer in Florida 

 than in Pennsylvania, and the season of reproduction could likewise 

 be prolonged. Thus, it seems logical to predict that Thomerson's 

 classes I and II are actually year class I, with his year class II resulting 

 from reproduction earlier in the year and year class I from late season 

 broods. It is also possible that his year class III may actually be year 

 class I. If this is true, his remaining year classes would require adjust- 

 ment. As in other moderate size Noturus, funebris probably lives no 

 longer than three or four years. 



