Redescription, Geographic Variation, and Subspecies of the Minnow Notropis ardens (Pisces: Cyprinidae)

metric, and pigmentary characters is examined. Both univariate and multivariate analyses support recognition of two subspecies, N. ardens ardens from the central Atlantic slope drainages and the upper Kanawha River system, and N. a. fasciolaris from the Ohio River basin and the upper Black Warrior River system. These two taxa differ in number of anal-fin rays and body depth of breeding males. The nominal form N. matutinus from the Tar and Neuse drainages of North Carolina does not differ consistently from other Atlantic slope populations in any of the meristic or morphometric characters considered. These populations do differ somewhat in breeding coloration and tuberculation, but in the absence of other consistent differences, they are not recognized as a separate subspecies. The distribution of the N. ardens is described and differential comparisons are made with similar and related species of the subgenus Lythrurus.