Notropis melanostomus, a New Species of Cyprinid Fish from the Blackwater-Yellow River Drainage of Northwest Florida

pharyngeal tooth formula of 4-4 and high number of anal rays (10-12) makes it unique for Notropis, except for possible confusion with N. ortenburgeri, which exceeds its size and has 9-11 anal rays. Notropis melanostomus has thin, nearly embedded scales, a black peritoneum, numerous long gill rakers, large eyes, and a variable cephalic lateral line system. Although more abundant than its original scarcity indicated, its preferred habitat is rapidly being encroached by commercial and domestic development.