Necturus lewisi Study: Distribution & Ecology 



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tions in moderate to swift flowing water, or in eddies and backwaters 

 near moderate to swift flowing water. 



Necturus punctatus was collected at 54 sites and was found to be 

 sympatric with N. lewisi at 19 sites. No N. punctatus were found in the 

 mainstream of the Neuse or Tar rivers. 



All sites surveyed are shown in Figure 1, along with sites of a few 

 incidental collections of N. lewisi made during the course of this project. 

 During the project, N. lewisi was collected at 122 sites. Figure 2 includes 

 historic records and shows all valid sites where N. lewisi has been col- 

 lected. Appendix A is a list of voucher supported localities and voucher 

 specimens. The distribution of N. lewisi in both the Neuse and Tar 

 River drainages extends from headwater streams in the Piedmont Pla- 

 teau to the vicinity of saline influence near the coast. 



Fig. 1. Sites sampled for Necturus lewisi, 1978 through 1981, Neuse and Tar 

 River drainages. Solid dots are positive sites, hollow dots are negative sites. 

 Inset shows location of Neuse and Tar River drainages in North Carolina. 



Occurrence of N. lewisi in the Trent River subdrainage was first 

 discovered on 26 September 1978, when 35 specimens were taken fol- 

 lowing application of rotenone to 100 yards of the river under low- 

 water, no-flow conditions by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. 

 Nine additional sites in the Trent River subdrainage, most of them with 

 submerged limestone outcroppings, were recorded during our survey. 



