76 
Burr, Kuhajda, Dimmick, and Grady 
mature pair in Little River, west of Goldsboro, in a 355-ml beer can on 
22 May 1982; water temperature was 20° C in the shallow run where the 
can was found. From 16 to 22 May 1985, in water ranging in 
temperature from 22 to 25° C, we found two primary and two secondary 
areas of nesting for N. furiosus. Both the Little River, west of Goldsboro, 
and the Tar River in Tarboro contained substantial nesting populations 
of the species. At the former site, in an area about 300 m in length, 
seven solitary males in breeding condition were found in 355-ml cans 
and bottles, or under shells (about 50 potential nesting sites were 
examined); one female swollen with eggs was in a 355-ml can; three 
pairs in reproductive condition were in cans; and one male with 
embryos was in a beer can (Table 2). At Tarboro, in an area about 100 
m in length, 11 solitary males in reproductive condition were found in 
cans and bottles and under mussel shells (about 200 potential nest sites 
were examined); two males, each with embryos, were found in glass 
containers (Table 2). Subadults were numerous at both these sites, in 
containers and other situations similar to those occupied by adults. 
Secondary nesting areas for the species were found in the Tar River 
in Rocky Mount and northwest of Heartsease. At both sites, we found 
one breeding male with embryos or larvae in water ranging from 23 to 
23.5° C. Only two other individuals, both juveniles, were found at each 
of these sites. Potential nesting sites were uncommon at both areas. 
Nests, pairs, and solitary adults in breeding condition were all 
found in similar habitat; medium- to large-sized streams with pea- to 
medium-sized gravel/ sand substrates and moderate-to-swift warm water 
(22 to 25° C). Most nest sites were in runs above riffles or in pools with 
current. Water depth varied from 26 to 120 cm (x = 66.4). All nests with 
embryos or larvae were guarded by solitary males, 3 to 4 years old and 
ranging in SL from 63 to 101 mm (x= 89.8). The stomachs of guardian 
males were mostly empty or contained well-digested, unidentifiable 
material. 
Only three clutches captured were complete with 139, 147, and 171 
embryos (x = 152). One clutch, containing more than 200 larvae and 
guarded by the largest male, could not be captured (Table 2). A brood 
of 16 larvae, considered incomplete, was captured with the guardian 
male. Larvae were negatively phototaxic, and in one case dispersed 
rapidly when nest cover was removed, precluding capture of the complete 
brood. 
Nest cans and bottles were generally free of substrate material, but 
if present, it was tightly packed against the bottom of the container. 
Nest containers or cover usually were partially buried in the substrate. 
Nests were found as close as 5 m apart and ranged from a few 
centimeters from the bank to the center of the stream. 
