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Noturus miurus Jordan 1877

Brindled Madtom

Larry Page
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Containing group: Noturus

Identification

The Brindled Madtom has a stout body with the deepest point located in front of the dorsal fin. The body is light yellow or brown above with dark mottling and 4 vague saddles, and is white to yellow below. The top 1/3 of the dorsal fin has a black blotch extending across the 1st 3-5 rays. A black saddle under the adipose fin extends through the fin to its edge. The caudal fin is rounded and has a brown or black border. Other fins have brown or black mottling. The adipose fin is broadly joined to the caudal fin. The pectoral spine has large teeth on the front (usually 5-9) and rear. The anal fin has 13-17 rays. To 5 in. (13 cm) total length.

Range

The Brindled Madtom is found in the lower Great Lakes drainages, Ontario and New York, southwest through most of the Ohio River basin and the lower Mississippi River basin. It occurs as far west as eastern Kansas and Oklahoma. It also is found in the Mohawk River, New York, and the Pearl River and Lake Pontchartrain drainages on the central Gulf Slope, Mississippi and Louisiana. This species is common.

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Distribution of Noturus miurus. © Larry Page

Habitat

The Brindled Madtom lives in rocky and sandy riffles, runs and flowing pools in creeks and small rivers, and along rocky margins of lakes. It often is found among woody debris.

Similar Species

The Checkered Madtom, Noturus flavater, has a broad black bar at the caudal fin base, an adipose fin free from the caudal fin, a straight rear edge on the caudal fin, and prominent saddles. The Yellowfin Madtom, Noturus flavipinnis, lacks a dark blotch on the dorsal fin, and has a straight rear edge on the caudal fin and usually 2 light spots in front of the dorsal fin.

Other Names for Noturus miurus Jordan 1877

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Noturus miurus
Location Terrapin Cr. In Mississippi River Basin, Alderice Rd. Bridge Crossing, Graves Co., KY
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By M. R. Thomas
Life Cycle Stage Adult
Copyright © M. R. Thomas
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

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Page, Larry. 2007. Noturus miurus Jordan 1877. Brindled Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_miurus/69880/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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Noturus miurus

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