FISHES OF THE TIPPECANOE RIVER, INDIANA: AN OUTSTANDING MIDWESTERN STREAM

A total of 26 fish samples, taken at 22 sites along the length of the Tippecanoe River from 1985 through 1987, yielded 68 species. Historic and recent ichthyological records increase the total number of fish species known from the river to 84. The fish fauna of the Tippecanoe River is diverse and includes a number of species that are rare or declining throughout their historic ranges. Thus, the Tippecanoe River is a valuable aquatic resource that should be protected from further modification. A synopsis of distributional and habitat information on uncommon fishes that are extant in the river is presented in this paper. The uncommon species are Ichthyomyzon bdellium, Hybopsis amblops, Notropis buchanani, Etheostoma camurum, E. maculatum, E. pellucidum, E. tippecanoe, Percina copelandi, P. evides, and P. shumardi. Additionally, a rare form of logperch, Percina caprodes manitou, was identified from the Tippecanoe River. This subspecies is found in the glacial lakes region of northern Indiana and possibly further north. Type specimens of two nominal forms of Percina previously described from the glacial lakes of northern Indiana were ex- amined. A preliminary analysis of the taxonomic status of P. c. manitou is presented.