Kentucky Fishes 99 



rufilineatum (Cope). We speculate that the lamprey was a waif from 

 nearby Sulphur Creek, which more closely approximates the preferred 

 small river and stream habitat (Rohde 1980). Lampetra appendix is 

 regarded as a species of special concern in Kentucky (Branson et al. 

 1981b). 



Lepisosteus oculatus (Winchell). Spotted gar. KNP Tn04GRV (1, 

 464 TL; 1 not retained), unnamed wetland (W. Fk. Clarks R. dr.), 0.9 

 km ENE Clear Springs, Graves Co., 4 May 1982; KNP OOl MCC (1,380 

 TL; 1 not retained). Metropolis Lake (Ohio R. dr.), 2.3 km N KY 1420 

 and KY 996 jet, McCracken Co., 6 June 1982; KNP M02CAE (1, 603 

 TL), Fish Lake (Mississippi R. dr.), at Burkley, Carlisle Co., 20 June 

 1982; KNP M05HIC (1, 557 TL; 1 not retained), Obion Cr. (Mississippi 

 R. dr.), 0.1 km downstream from KY 307 crossing, Hickman Co., 22 

 June 1982. 



In Kentucky, the spotted gar was thought to be restricted to the 

 mainstem and tributaries of the Mississippi, lower Ohio (exclusive of 

 the lower Tennessee and Clarks rivers), and lower Cumberland rivers 

 (Burr 1980), until specimens from the Tradewater and Green river 

 drainages were reported by Warren and Cicerello (1982). More recently. 

 Rice et al. (1983) pubUshed the first substantiated Kentucky record for 

 L. oculatus from the lower Tennessee River drainage and, in additon, 

 six records for locaHties in CarUsle, Fuhon, and Hickman counties. In 

 light of these records and those presented herein, we believe a reapprai- 

 sal of the threatened status assigned to L. oculatus by Branson et al. 

 (1981b) is warranted. The spotted gar is more widespread in Kentucky 

 than previously thought despite the continuing loss of wetland habitat 

 favored by the species (Trautman 1981; Warren and Cicerello 1982). 

 The apparent rarity of the species is probably a result of the difficulty of 

 sampling the preferred vegetated, wetland habitat which has only recently 

 begun to be surveyed in Kentucky. We recommend that the status of L. 

 oculatus be changed from threatened to special concern, so that the 

 impact of habitat modification can be monitored. 



Umbra limi (Kirtland). Central mudminnow. KNP M02GRV (1, 

 74), unnamed wetland (Terrapin Cr. dr.), 1.45 km S KY 97 and KY 

 1485 jet at Bell City, Graves Co., 27 April 1982; KNP Tn03GRV (1, 64), 

 old channel (W. Fk. Clarks R. dr.), at KY 131 crossing. Graves Co., 4 

 May 1982; KNP Tn04GRV (2, 46-53), unnamed wetland (W. Fk. Clarks 

 R. dr.), 0.9 km ENE Clear Springs, Graves Co., 4 May 1982; KNP 

 Tn08GRV (4, 18-21), unnamed wetland (W. Fk. Clarks R. dr.), 1.1 km 

 SSW mouth Spring Cr., Graves Co., 5 May 1982; KNP M04FUL (4, 

 40-66), unnamed wetland (Reelfoot Lake dr.), 0.4 km NE Tyler on E 

 side KY 94, Fulton Co., 24 June 1982; KDOT Q18 (2, -), slough along 

 KY 94 (Reelfoot Lake dr.), NW of KY 94 and 1500 m NE of Tennessee- 



