102 Melvin L. Warren, Jr. and Ronald R. Cicerello 



watershed that has fortuitously escaped degradation from development. 

 However, proposed plans to develop extensive Devonian age oil shale 

 deposits in the watershed (Harker et al. 1980) may alter these conditions 

 and threaten the future existence of A^. ariommus in the drainage. 



Notropis telescopus (Cope). Telescope shiner. KNP uncat. (1, 47), 

 E. Fk. (Barren R. dr.), at mouth of Isenburg Cr., Monroe Co., 12 June 

 1979; SIUC 3931 (17, 39-57), E. Fk. (Barren R. dr.), at KY 63 crossing, 

 Monroe Co., 24 September 1981. 



Notropis telescopus was known in Kentucky only from the Cum- 

 berland River (below the Falls) in the southeastern part of the state 

 (Burr 1980) where it is common to abundant in small to medium-sized, 

 high quality streams and rivers. Collection of the telescope shiner in 

 East Fork Barren River represents the first substantiated report of the 

 species from the Green River system. Woolman (1892) noted the species 

 as rare in the Little Barren River; however, Gilbert (1969) regarded the 

 record as erroneous; the specimen(s) was apparently not available for 

 examination. These records are of particular interest because several 

 other taxa typical of the Cumberland River of Kentucky and Tennessee, 

 such as Nocomis effusus Lachner and Jenkins, Notropis leuciodus 

 (Cope), Fundulus catenatus (Storer), and closely related members of the 

 subgenera Catonotus, Nanostoma, and Nothonotus of the genus 

 Etheostoma, are also represented in the ichthyofauna of the Barren and 

 Green rivers. Furthermore, Lachner and Jenkins (1971) and Zorach 

 (1972) cited evidence that stream capture has been responsible for ich- 

 thyofaunal exchange between the Cumberland and Green rivers. The 

 ichthyofauna of the upper Barren and Green rivers is relatively well 

 known (Burr 1980), and the failure of workers subsequent to Woolman 

 to capture A^. telescopus in the drainage presents an enigma in interpret- 

 ing its native or non-native status. Since Woolman was apparently quite 

 familiar with A^. telescopus and differentiated it from the similar A^. ari- 

 ommus (Cope), the likeUhood of misidentification of the Little Barren 

 River specimen(s) is reduced. Also of interest is the fact that both East 

 Fork Barren River and Little Barren River headwaters lie in close prox- 

 imity to Cumberland River streams (Meshack and Marrowbone creeks, 

 respectively) which harbor large populations of A^. telescopus (pers. 

 observ.). The possibility of headwater capture is heightened, especially 

 along the Meshack Creek-East Fork Barren River divide, by the pres- 

 ence of karst development including numerous sinkholes and subterra- 

 nean drainage. This is best illustrated on the southeast corner of the U. 

 S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute Sulphur Lick quadrangle map (Harris 

 1964). The current extent of dispersal of A^. telescopus in the Barren 

 River is unknown, but the capture of the species only in East Fork 

 implies a localized distribution. Based on the available evidence, the 

 origin of A^. telescopus in the Green River is unclear; however, as noted 



