Carolina Madtom 
69 
TAR RIVER 
01985 ; 1 * 1985 ; 1 
* 1963 , 18 * 1963 , 29 * 1963 , 17 
• 1959 , 8 
• 1985 , 1 
r 
o 
t — i — r 
km 
"I 
50 
Fig. 4. Geochronography of Noturus furiosus in the Tar River drainage, North 
Carolina. Map shows virtually all known records of capture. Data format 
explained in Figure 3. A. Beech Swamp Creek, B. Fishing Creek, C. Swift 
Creek, D. Swamp Creek. 
from the city of Raleigh. A large fish kill in July 1980 did not reveal any 
Carolina madtoms (Alvin L. Braswell, pers. comm.). The temperature in 
the Neuse River below Falls Lake dam was 18°C in mid-May 1985, 
about 6 degrees cooler than surrounding streams, and perhaps too low 
for madtom reproduction. Dead mussels abounded, but no other 
invertebrates were seen. Few fishes were collected, and all but an eel, 
Anguilla rostrata , were introduced sport fishes. It is unlikely that the 
Carolina madtom occurs in the reservoir or near the polluted waters of 
the city anymore. 
Swift, Middle, Mill, and Beaverdam creeks. — A total of 1 1 specimens 
were taken in 1961 from these four creeks. Upon re-collecting all these 
creeks during the day in October 1983 and May 1985, we obtained five 
specimens, all from Swift Creek. Suitable madtom habitat is present, 
although limited, and the streams are relatively small, perhaps too small 
to support large, viable populations of N. furiosus. Potential nest sites 
in Swift Creek were occupied only by juveniles, although some nesting 
probably occurs in the stream. Records from these streams may 
