Poecilia mexicana
| Poecilia mexicana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Atlantic molly male (top) and female (bottom) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Poeciliidae |
| Genus: | Poecilia |
| Species: | P. mexicana |
| Binomial name | |
| Poecilia mexicana Steindachner, 1863[1] | |
Poecilia mexicana, commonly known as the shortfin molly or Atlantic molly, is a species of poeciliid fish native to fresh and brackish water in Mexico and Guatemala. One population is found in caves and known as the cave molly.[1][2]
Description
The fish grows to a maximum length of 11 centimeters (in standard length).[1] It generally grows to 4 centimeters (in total length).[1]
Distribution and habitat
The fish lives in tropical freshwater and brackish water habitats.[1] The shortfin molly is considered benthopelagic.[1] It lives in a pH range between 7.0 and 7.5 at temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius.[1] The species does not migrate.[1] It is an invasive species in the Muddy River of Nevada, USA.[3]
Ecology
Speciation
In two case studies in Cueva del Azufre and Cueva Luna Azufre in Tabasco, Mexico, the Atlantic molly is experiencing speciation. It is occurring between cave and surface populations as well as between habitats of varying sulfur concentrations.[4]
Human significance
The fishing industry has no interest in harvesting the species. However, it is sold commercially for aquariums. Occasionally, the shortfin molly is used as bait.[1]
Etymology, taxonomy, and history
Franz Steindachner first described the species in 1863.[1][5] Poecilia refers to the Greek word poikilos, which means "with a lot of colours".[1] Common names include "shortfin molly" and "Atlantic molly."[6] The type specimen was found in Orizaba, Mexico.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2014). "Poecilia mexicana" in FishBase. November 2014 version.
- ↑ Plath, M. (2004). "Cave molly females (Poecilia mexicana) avoid parasitised males". Acta ethologica. 6 (2): 47–51. doi:10.1007/s10211-004-0085-1.
- ↑ Platt, John R. (20 September 2012). "Tiny, Critically Endangered and Controversial Nevada Fish Experiences Dramatic Population Increase". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ↑ Rüdiger Riesch; Michael Tobler; Martin Plath (24 January 2015). Extremophile Fishes: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology of Teleosts in Extreme Environments. Springer. pp. 16–17, 142–153, 164, 171. ISBN 978-3-319-13362-1.
- 1 2 Roberto E. Reis; Sven O. Kullander; Carl J. Ferraris (2003). Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. EDIPUCRS. p. 568. ISBN 978-85-7430-361-1.
- ↑ "Common names of Poecilia mexicana". FishBase.org. FishBase. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
External links
Media related to Poecilia mexicana at Wikimedia Commons