58 
Burr, Kuhajda, Dimmick, and Grady 
concern but made no further comment. Cooper and Braswell (1982) 
stated: “Based on the very small numbers of specimens taken in recent 
years, despite intensive sampling at many localities in both rivers, the 
species seems to have experienced a serious decline.” They added, “Its 
endemicity and apparent rarity make it vulnerable to extinction.” 
Recently, Braswell and Cooper found the species to be relatively common 
in October at two sites on the Tar River (Cooper and Ashton 1985). 
Noturus furiosus was originally allied with N. miurus and N. 
eleutherus (Jordan 1889). It is currently allocated to the subgenus 
Rabida (Taylor 1969), which presently contains 14 other species (Taylor 
1969, Douglas 1972, Etnier and Jenkins 1980). Taylor (1969) considered 
N. furiosus to be a member of the furiosus species group including N. 
placidus, N. stigmosus, and N. munitus. In an analysis of chromosomal 
evolution of the genus Noturus , LeGrande (1981) did not include N. 
furiosus. There has been some question regarding the taxonomic status 
of N. furiosus because even Taylor (pers. comm.) has suggested that it 
might be a geographic subspecific population of N. stigmosus. An 
analysis of allozymes of all extant members of Noturus by James M. 
Grady demonstrates that the species has several fixed alleles and can be 
distinguished electrophoretically from other members of the furiosus 
group. 
The historical range of N. furiosus included varied habitats in two 
physiographic provinces comprising all major tributary systems of the 
Tar and Neuse rivers: Piedmont (Tar River and Neuse River [including 
Eno River]) and Coastal Plain (Tar River [including Fishing Creek and 
other minor streams] and Neuse River [including Little and Trent rivers, 
Contentnea Creek, and other minor streams]). However, since 1963, N. 
furiosus has been take at fewer than 12 localities. Use of ichthyocides, 
electrofishing gear, and trapping in madtom habitat has revealed few 
specimens of N. furiosus , although N. insignis and N. gyrinus are 
encountered frequently. 
Presented here is a report on the distribution, biology, and 
conservation status of N. furiosus based on museum specimens and field 
work through the summer of 1985. This paper is extracted from a report 
to the Office of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
PROCEDURES 
Collecting Methods. The field work accomplished from 1982 through 
1984 was performed in most cases by two people with small-mesh, 10- 
foot minnow-seines and dip nets. Both day and night collecting were 
attempted at two sites. Locations where N. furiosus formerly had been 
collected in relatively high numbers (5 to 10 individuals) were most 
frequently visited. During May 1985, intensive collecting at nearly all 
