THE STATUS OF THE CUTLIPS MINNOW, EXOGLASSUM-MAXILLINGUA, IN CANADA

The Cutlips Minnow, Exoglossum maxillingua, is a stout bodied minnow d istinguished from all other members of the family Cyprinidae in North America by its unique trilobed lower jaw. It is common in many upland regions of the Atlantic coast drainage of northeastern North America. It is rare, and there is evidence that populations have declined from levels in the 1930s in Ontario. It is more widespread in Quebec where it has been found in numerous river systems from 1935 to 1989. Since 1 977. there has been a significant decrease in the number of surveys in the limited area occupied by this species in Canada. Surveys might ha ve provided more information on present status. There is, however, evi dence of low and/or declining numbers in some river systems.