NOTROPJS 147 



of August. Breeding males have the head largely tuberculate, 

 together with a pad-like tuberosity, closely set with tubercles, 

 on the snout. The scales of the upper part of the sides in front 

 of the dorsal fin are likewise tuberculate. 



NOTROPIS CORNUTUS (MITCHILL) 



COMMON SHINER 

 (MAP XLI) 



Mitchill, 1817, Am. Month. Mag., I, 289 (Cyprinus). 



Q., VII, 249 (Leuciscus); J. & G., 186 (Minnilus), 192 (M. plumbeolus); M. V., 58 



(megalops); J. & E., I, 281; N., 47 (Luxilus); J., 57 (Luxilus) F., 77 (megalops); 



L., 17. 



This species, in size one of the largest of our minnows, is distinguished 

 especially by the great depth of the exposed portions of the scales and (in 

 spring males) by the brilliant and more or less mottled salmon-pink coloration. 

 Length 5 to 8 inches; body elongate in the young; adults shorter and much 

 compressed, the sides nearly vertical; depth 3.3 to 4.4 in length; anterior 

 dorsal region gibbous and rather swollen in adult males; caudal peduncle 

 rather deep, its depth 1.6 to 2.3, usually less than 2.1, in its length. Color 

 of midsummer males olivaceous above with steel-blue luster; belly and lower 

 part of sides silvery; a broad dark vertebral streak and a faint plumbeous 

 lateral band, showing as gilt when seen through water; scales above lateral 

 line thickly specked with dusky, with narrow edges of darker; scales along 

 middle of each side partly with the most of the exposed surface unspecked 

 bright silvery with dusky bases, and partly wholly dusky, giving rise to a 

 mottled appearance which is most accentuated in the breeding season; dorsal 

 and caudal fins somewhat dusky, other fins plain; coloration of spring males 

 very brilliant, the upper parts greenish and the sides a rich salmon-pink over 

 silvery, with mottlings of dusky emerald; females and young are plain 

 olivaceous above and silvery below. Head 3.8 to 4.2 in length, rather large 

 and heavy, compressed, rounded between the eyes, the muzzle bluntish; 

 width of head 1.9 to 2.1; interorbital space 2.6 to 3.1 in head; eye rather 

 small, 3.1 to ,4.7 in head, usually over 4 in adults; nose much longer than eye 

 in adults, 2.8 to 3.3 in head; mouth moderately large and oblique, the tip of 

 the upper lip usually very little above level of lower margin of orbit; maxillary 

 ^ longer than eye in fully grown specimens, 2.9 to 3.2 in head, scarcely reach- 

 ing front of orbit; lower jaw slightly shorter than upper; isthmus less than 

 pupil. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2, with rather narrow grinding surface; intestine .9 to 

 1.5 times length of head and body; peritoneum dusky to solid brown. Dorsal 

 fin with 8 rays, set usually a little in advance of the ventrals and closer to 

 muzzle than base of caudal; longest dorsal ray 1 to 1.3 in head; anal rays 9 

 or 10, usually 9; pectorals % to % to ventrals, 1.2 to 1.5 in head; ventrals 

 usually not reaching vent. Scales 6, rarely 7, 37-40, 3, rows before dorsal 

 16 to 25; always much deeper than long on the flanks, becoming exceedingly 

 so in adults; longitudinal rows with an appearance of "running out" behind 

 the dorsal fin; lateral line complete, decurved anteriorly. 



