70 
Burr, Kuhajda, Dimmick, and Grady 
represent forays of a few individuals from the nearby Neuse River 
proper. We know of no substantial, long-term ecological perturbations 
that have occurred in these streams since 1961. 
Little River system. — Without question this stream harbors the 
single largest extant population of the Carolina madtom known from 
within the entire Neuse drainage. As many as 20 individuals have been 
collected at any one time, and one of the largest series of males and 
females in breeding condition was taken from the Little River in 1961. 
Our several visits to Little River just west of Goldsboro from 1982 
through 1985 revealed abundant madtom habitat, both for nonbreeding 
and breeding individuals, and numerous mated pairs were found in cans 
and bottles and returned to their nest sites. Substantial populations of 
N. insignis and N. gyrinus are also known from the Little River. Except 
for a small dam and impoundment, the Little River appears to be 
relatively undisturbed. 
Neuse River, Lenoir County. — In 1960, five specimens of N. furiosus 
were collected in the Neuse River proper near the Lenoir County line. 
We revisited this site in May 1985 and found N. furiosus to be the most 
common benthic fish species. Water was low (<1 m) about 300 m 
downstream of the bridge, and from two to eight specimens were 
obtained from nearly every stick/ detritus pile found in moderate current 
over sand. The fish was so common that many individuals were returned 
(22 were preserved) to the river. No nesting sites were found here, 
although a few scattered mussel shells were examined. A much smaller 
population of N. furiosus is present on the lower Neuse River near 
Kinston. 
Contentnea Creek system. — Sampling activity in this stream has 
been limited in recent years, but four collections using rotenone in 1960 
and 1961 yielded a total of 71 N. furiosus. We resampled two of the 
Contentnea Creek sites in May 1985, but found no N. furiosus. During 
our visits, suitable madtom habitat was found to be limited. In fact, one 
site was essentially a swamp rather than a flowing stream. We assume 
the fish still occurs in the Contentnea system, but probably in limited 
numbers owing to lack of adequate habitat. 
Trent River system. — In 1960 and 1978, ten and nine specimens, 
respectively, of N. furiosus were taken from three sites on the Trent 
River. These were the first records of the species that far downstream in 
the Neuse. Collection methods included ichthyocides, which are very 
effective in securing madtoms. We revisited all three sites on the Trent 
River in September 1983 and May 1985. Only one N. furiosus was 
found even though adequate habitat was available. N. insignis was 
common. About 75 potential nest sites were examined here, but they 
were either empty or were being used by other fishes (e.g., N. insignis , 
A. rostrata) and the Neuse River waterdog, Necturus lewisi. 
