Under Construction

Noturus species

Broadtail Madtom

Larry Page
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Containing group: Noturus

Identification

The Broadtail Madtom is similar to the Speckled Madtom, Noturus leptacanthus, but lacks dark specks on the body, has a conspicuous dark blotch at the base of the caudal fin, and has a stouter body and a rounded caudal fin. The body is tan to red-brown above and white or yellow below. The caudal fin is light brown with a clear or pale border; other fins are light brown with a dark base. The upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. The anal fin has 12-16 rays. To 2 1/4 in. (6 cm) total length.

Range

The Broadtail Madtom is found in the Cape Fear and Peedee River drainages on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina and South Carolina. The species is locally common.

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

Distribution of the Broadtail Madtom. © Larry Page

Habitat

The Broadtail Madtom inhabits sand- and gravel-bottom riffles, pools, and main channels of medium-sized rivers. It usually is found near debris.

Similar Species

The Speckled Madtom, Noturus leptacanthus, is more slender and has a straight-edged or slightly rounded caudal fin, dark specks on the body and fins, and a dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. The Tadpole Madtom, Noturus gyrinus, has jaws of equal length (upper jaw not projecting beyond lower jaw) and reaches 5 in. (13 cm) in total length.

Other Names for Noturus species

Title Illustrations
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Scientific Name Noturus species
Location South Shore of Lake Waccamaw, ca. .5 mile E of Dam, Columbus Co., NC
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By B. H. Bauer
Size 43 mm SL
Copyright © B. H. Bauer
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 species. Broadtail Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_species/69895/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

edit this page
close box

This page is a Tree of Life Leaf Page.

Each ToL leaf page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a leaf at the tip of the Tree of Life. The major distinction between a leaf and a branch of the Tree of Life is that a leaf cannot generally be further subdivided into subgroups representing distinct genetic lineages.

For a more detailed explanation of the different ToL page types, have a look at the Structure of the Tree of Life page.

close box

Noturus species

Page Content

articles & notes

collections

people

Explore Other Groups

random page

  go to the Tree of Life home page
top