Evidence Supporting Two New Forms and One Previously Described Race Within the Cottus carolinae Species-Complex from the Ozark Highlands

Abstract

I present preliminary data describing two new forms within the Cottus carolinae species-complex from the Ozark Highlands, the eyelash sculpin and the fringe-head sculpin. The eyelash and fringe-head sculpins can be diagnosed from all other species of Cottus by cirri (thin fleshy appendages), a character heretofore unknown in the genus. The eyelash sculpin can be further diagnosed by a few cirri above the eye and the fringe-head sculpin by a large number of cirri on the head and elsewhere. In addition, I provide data on pectoral fin ray number in the C. carolinae species-complex that validates the recognition of the Black River race in the Ozark Highlands (18–19 in Black River race, 13–17 in all other C. carolinae). The distribution of Ozark Highland members of the C. carolinae species-complex and a new size record are also discussed.