madtom

American  

[mad-tom] / ˈmædˈtɒm /

noun

1. any of several tadpolelike, freshwater catfishes of the genus Noturus, of the central and eastern U.S., having a poisonous pectoral spine: some are threatened or endangered.

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Etymology

Origin of madtom

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; mad + tom

Example Sentences

"Some species, like the elegant madtom, had high relative sensitivity across spatial extents yet had no state or federal conservation listings," Silknetter said.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2024

Among the thirty-one species of Abrams Creek fish that were wiped out was one called the smoky madtom, which scientists had never seen before.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Species that occupy restricted habitats, especially riffle-dwellers such as the Neosho madtom, gravel chub, and slender-headed darter, were slowest to increase following drought.

From Fish Populations, Following a Drought, in the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers of Kansas by Deacon, James Everett

A second group, composed of rosy-faced shiner, blunt-faced shiner, mimic shiner, slender madtom, freckled madtom, spotted bass, and fan-tailed darter, normally is characteristic of clear tributaries rather than the mainstream of rivers.

From Fish Populations, Following a Drought, in the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers of Kansas by Deacon, James Everett

The slender madtom may become more widespread if other reservoirs are built that stabilize stream flow in the basin.

From Fishes of the Wakarusa River in Kansas by Deacon, James E.