CATFISH GENUS NOTURUS RAFESTESQUE 159 



structures in order from left to right are: 9-9 pelvic rays, 9-8 soft 

 pectoral rays, 2-2 internasal pores, 11-12 preoperculomandibular 

 pores, and 5-6 recurved serrae on the posterior edge of the pectoral 

 spine. The posterior process of the clei thrum is obscure; a few anterior 

 serrae are present on the pectoral spine but are too poorly developed 

 to enumerate. The head length is stepped into the standard length 

 3.55 times and the distance from the rear end of the adipose fin to 

 the tip of the caudal fin is stepped into the distance from the dorsal 

 origin to the rear end of the adipose fin 2.0 times. Table 28 gives 

 further measurements. 



Distribution. — Noturus trautmani is known only from one locality 

 in Big Darby Creek, a tributary of the Scioto River, Ohio. 



Etymology. — This species is named for Dr. Milton B. Trautman, 

 an outstanding ichthyologist and Ohio naturahst, who collected the 

 types and has studied the fish fauna of Big Darby Creek intensively. 



Relationship. — Noturus trautmani is a species of Rabida that 

 appears to be most closely related to Noturus elegans of the Green 

 and Duck River systems. Both have similar paired fin ray counts, 

 an obscure or moderately short rear process of the cleithrum, weak 

 anterior pectoral spine serrae, the adipose and caudal fins rather 

 broadly united, moderately long upper procurrent caudal rays, rela- 

 tively few caudal rays, little or no pigment on the dorsal fin soft 

 rays, and a relatively elongated body shape. They tentatively form 

 the elegans species group. 



Remarks. — Dr. Trautman has made repeated attempts in recent 

 years to collect this species from the only known locaUty, the Big 

 Darby Creek riffle, one mile south of Fox, Ohio, but his success has 

 been limited. All specimens were collected in the fall and early winter, 

 eight (two not seen by me) being the largest number obtained at 

 any one time. Most have been collected at times when large numbers 

 of Etheostoma tippecanoe were also present on the riffle. 



The riffle is described in Trautman's notes as riffle three above the 

 bridge. It has a bottom of gravel, sand, silt, and boulders. Some 

 vegetation is listed as present and the current where the specimens 

 were taken is described as moderate to fast. Big Darby Creek, in this 

 region, varies from about 40 to 150 feet wide. The weU defined, mod- 

 erate depth riffles alternate with deep pools. 



The fish fauna of the riffle and adjacent pools is known to include 

 82 or more species (personal communication from Trautman). In 

 addition to Noturus trautmani, Noturus flavus and Noturus miurus 

 are known from Big Darby Creek, and Noturus stigmosus was coUected 

 with trautmani. Noturus eleutherus lives close by in the Scioto River. 

 •The paucity of specimens of trautmani, especially from a stream 

 as well known ichthyologicaUy as Big Darby Creek, Ohio, is puzzling. 



