Noturus stigmosus
Northern Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Northern Madtom has a stout body with the deepest point located beneath the dorsal fin, and a relatively deep caudal peduncle. The body is yellow or medium tan with brown or black mottling above and white to yellow below. The 1st of 4 dark saddles has an irregular front edge that encloses 2 large light spots in front of the dorsal fin. The fins are blotched or banded. The dorsal fin has a dark band at the base and another near the edge of the dorsal fin connected to one another along the front of the fin. The adipose fin has a brown or black band that extends into the upper half but doesn't reach the edge of the fin. The caudal fin has one dark crescent-shaped band in the middle extending forward across the upper and lower caudal rays to the caudal peduncle and another band near the clear edge. The pectoral spine is large with 5-10 prominent teeth on the rear edge and large teeth on the front edge. The caudal fin is straight or slightly rounded and nearly free from the adipose fin. The anal fin has 13-16 rays. To 5 in. (13 cm) total length.
Range
The Northern Madtom is found in Lake Erie and Ohio River basins from western Pennsylvania, southern Ontario, and West Virginia, to the Ohio River in southern Illinois. The species is uncommon and is disappearing on the edges of its range. It is protected in Canada as an endangered species.
Distribution of Noturus stigmosus. © Larry Page
Habitat
The Northern Madtom inhabits fast rocky riffles and runs in small to large rivers. It often is found near debris.
Similar Species
The Piebald Madtom, N. gladiator, has a bolder pattern, the dark bar in the adipose fin crosses the body to connect with the bar in the anal fin, and the dark crescent-shaped band in the middle of the caudal fin is broadly joined to dark pigment on the caudal peduncle forming 2 distinct yellow spots at the base of the fin. The Neosho Madtom, Noturus placidus, has a dark band restricted to the lower half of the adipose fin and white lower front caudal fin rays. The Frecklebelly Madtom, Noturus munitus, has a more slender caudal peduncle and a black band extending to the edge of the adipose fin. The Mountain Madtom, Noturus eleutherus, has a dark brown bar at the base of the caudal fin, no dark crescent-shaped band in the middle of the caudal fin, no light spots in front of the dorsal fin, and no dark band near the edge of the dorsal fin.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus stigmosus |
|---|---|
| Location | Ohio River, IL |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | M. R. Thomas |
| Size | 45 mm SL |
| 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
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 stigmosus . Northern Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_stigmosus/69871/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
