154 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 282 



Map 11. — The distribution of members of the probable elegans species group of the subgenus 

 Rabida. Noturus trautmani, new species, is known only from Big Darby Creek, Ohio. 

 Noturus elegans, new species, is common in the Green River system, with a boldly colored 

 form in the Duck River system. The two localities in the Tennessee River basin and one 

 in the Cumberland basin represent material tentatively referred to N. elegans, under 

 which it is discussed. 



Duck River specimens. The data for other characters do not indicate 

 significant differences between populations. 



Distribution. — A^^. elegans (map 11) is found in the Green River 

 system of Kentucky and the Duck River system, Tennessee. One lot 

 from the Cumberland drainage and two from the Tennessee basin are 

 only tentatively referred to A'', elegans (see p. 155). In the Green 

 River system, elegans occurs in the upper parts of both the Barren and 

 Green Rivers and their tributaries. 



Etymology. — The name elegans (Latin) refers to the neat or hand- 

 some color pattern. 



Relationship. — The rather long slender body, short spines and 

 posterior process of cleithrum, and the continuous adipose and caudal 

 fins align Noturus elegans with Noturus trautmani. Despite prominent 

 differences in color, head, body, and fin shape, and anal and pectoral 

 ray counts, it is similar to species of the probable hildebrandi group 



