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Madtoms are freshwater catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the genus Noturus of the family Ictaluridae. It is the most species-rich genus of catfish in North America, [1] native to the central and eastern United States, and adjacent parts of Canada. [2] Their fin spines contain a mild venom with a sting comparable to that of a honey bee. [1]
Juvenile mountain madtoms are 20–30mm in length usually. [6] Adult mountain madtoms range from 75–127 mm in length and the life span averages 4–5 years. [5] It is uncertain what age they reach sexual maturity due to the secrecy of the species. [10] One study located a nest and eggs were collected.
Ictaluridae includes bullheads, madtoms, channel catfish, and blue catfish. Noturus exilis is found in the central portion of the Mississippi River basin, but is most abundant in Ozarkian streams. [2] Slender madtoms occur west of the Mississippi River in the Ozarks of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri north to southern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The northern madtom shares its habitat with several similar species ranging from the very similar mountain madtom to some invasive species, which create competition for both food and resources. However, not much is known about the specifics of the effect of this competition on the northern madtoms because they are found in such small numbers.
Checkered madtoms are ready to spawn by April, but may not spawn until July. Males of three to five years guard the nests. Females most likely leave the nests while males remain to care for the embryos. [6] Checkered madtom embryos resemble the embryos of other madtoms. Larvae 10 to 12 days old begin to have proportions resembling adults. [6]
The pygmy madtom is the smallest of madtoms, reaching only about 50 mm in length at adulthood. It is dark brown dorsally and nearly white ventrally, and is similar to the least madtom, but is distinguished by its white snout and large teeth on the front edge of the pectoral spine. The caudal fin has a dark band or dusky blotches in the middle.
The Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus) is a small North American freshwater catfish.It has been listed as a near-threatened species in the United States since 1996 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature [1] and as a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 since June 1990.
The frecklebelly madtom is a robust, boldly patterned member of the monophyletic saddled madtom subgenus Rabida. [4] Historically, the population thrived in large rivers in the Mobile Basin and Pearl River drainages in the southeastern United States. [5]