Type Catalogue of the North American Cyprinid Fish Genus Notropis

Abstract

A type catalogue is presented for the North American cyprinid fish genus Notropis. This genus, as presently constituted, is the largest of any group of North American fishes, comprising 131 valid described species and subspecies (119 and 12, respectively, of which one of the species is a fossil), and at least a dozen forms that are still undescribed. In addition, seven described species presently included in the genus Hybopsis may ultimately be transferred to Notropis, A total of 304 different names are available for the 138 valid described forms.

All nominal forms are listed alphabetically by species or subspecies name. The following data appear under each separate heading: (1) original genus and species combination, together with describer and year of description; (2) abbreviated citation of original description; (3) type locality; (4) catalogue number(s) of holotype, lectotype, neotype, or syntypes, together with numbers of specimens, range in standard length in mm, and name of collector and date of collection, if known; (5) catalogue number(s) of paratypes, number of specimens in each series, and an indication of which are paratopotypes; (6) remarks concerning the type (counts and condition), nomenclatural history of the taxon, and definitive references; (7) exact date of original description if known, or, if not known, the most accurate date determinable; and (8) present status of the taxon.

In addition to the above list, the following supplementary lists are included: (1) a generic synonymy; (2) presently recognized species of Notropis, with their included subspecies (if any) and junior and senior synonyms (if any); (3) species presently referred to the genus Hybopsis, but whose affinities are with Notropis and in which genus they may eventually be placed; (4) nominal species of Notropis that are based on hybrids, one or both parents of which belong to that genus; (5) nominal species of Notropis that are based on hybrids, both parents of which belong to other genera; (6) nomina nuda with their identifications; and (7) species that were originally described in Notropis, but which are now referred to another genus. Also, the genus is defined and a brief discussion of the nomenclatural history of the group is presented, which includes a comparison of the numbers of forms described during each decade.