Noturus eleutherus
Mountain Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Mountain Madtom has a stout body with a deep caudal peduncle. The body is brown or gray with dark mottling above and light below with no dark specks on the belly. There usually are 4 vague saddles; the 1st saddle begins at the dorsal spine. The fins have dark bands or mottling. The adipose fin is high and has an irregular dark band usually confined to the lower half. The caudal fin has a dark brown bar at the base and another near the clear edge. The pectoral spine is long with 6-10 large teeth on the rear edge and large teeth on the front edge. The caudal fin is straight and nearly free from the adipose fin. The anal fin has 12-16 rays. To 5 in. (13 cm) total length.
Range
The Mountain Madtom is found in the Ohio River basin from northwestern Pennsylvania to eastern Illinois, and south to northern Alabama and Georgia; in the White and St. Francis River systems, Missouri and Arkansas; the Mississippi River in western Tennessee; the Ouachita River system of Arkansas; and the Red River system of Arkansas and Oklahoma. This is a locally common species.
Distribution of Noturus eleutherus. © Larry Page
Habitat
The Mountain Madtom inhabits vegetated areas or woody debris in or near rocky riffles and runs of small to large rivers.
Similar Species
The Northern Madtom, Noturus stigmosus, a dark crescent-shaped band in the middle of the caudal fin, 2 large spots in front of the dorsal fin, and the dark band on the adipose fin extends into the upper half of the fin. The Neosho Madtom, Noturus placidus, has small teeth on the front of the pectoral spine, white lower caudal rays, and a dark crescent-shaped band in the middle of the caudal fin. The Elegant Madtom, N. elegans, and Saddled Madtom, N. fasciatus, have a more slender body, bolder color pattern, and the adipose fin broadly joined to the caudal fin.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus eleutherus |
|---|---|
| Location | Current R., Randolph Co., AR |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | L. M. Page |
| Sex | Female |
| Life Cycle Stage | Adult |
| Size | 45 mm SL |
| Copyright |
© Larry Page
|
About This Page
Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at
Page copyright © 2007 Larry Page
All Rights Reserved.
- First online 23 May 2007
- Content changed 23 May 2007
Citing this page:
Page, Larry. 2007. Noturus eleutherus . Mountain Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_eleutherus/69874/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
