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Poecilia mexicana

{{Short description|Species of fish}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = PoeciliaMexicana.jpg

| image_caption = A male (top) and a female (bottom)

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Daniels, A. |author2=Maiz-Tome, L. |date=2019 |title=Poecilia mexicana |volume=2019 |page=e.T191750A2002413 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191750A2002413.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}

| taxon= Poecilia mexicana

| authority = Steindachner, 1863

| synonyms = *Poecilia cuneata Garman, 1895

}}

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.{{cite journal | author=Plath, M. | title=Cave molly females (Poecilia mexicana) avoid parasitised males | year=2004 | journal=Acta Ethologica | volume=6 | issue=2 | pages=47–51 | doi=10.1007/s10211-004-0085-1| s2cid=1138263 }}

Description

The maximum standard length of this fish is {{cvt|11|cm|in}}.{{FishBase| id=3227|genus = Poecilia|species=mexicana| month = November | year = 2014}} It typically grows to a total length {{cvt|4|cm|in}}.

Distribution and habitat

The fish lives in tropical freshwater and brackish water habitats. The shortfin molly is considered benthopelagic. It lives in a pH range between 7.0 and 7.5 at temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius. The species does not migrate. It is an invasive species in the Muddy River of Nevada, USA.

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.

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.

Etymology, taxonomy, and history

Franz Steindachner first described the species in 1863. Poecilia refers to the Greek word poikilos, which means "with a lot of colours". Common names include "shortfin molly" and "Atlantic molly."{{cite web|title=Common names of Poecilia mexicana|url=http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=3227&GenusName=Poecilia&SpeciesName=mexicana&StockCode=3423|website=FishBase.org|publisher=FishBase|access-date=15 February 2015}} The type specimen was found in Orizaba, Mexico.

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web | last=Platt | first=John R. | title=Tiny, Critically Endangered and Controversial Nevada Fish Experiences Dramatic Population Increase | website=Scientific American Blog Network | date=20 September 2012 | url=http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/critically-endangered-nevada-fish-population-increase/ | access-date=3 June 2015}}

{{cite book|author1=Roberto E. Reis|author2=Sven O. Kullander|author3=Carl J. Ferraris|title=Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9tiDHrzxf9QC&pg=PA568|year=2003|publisher=EDIPUCRS|isbn=978-85-7430-361-1|page=568}}

{{cite book|author1=Rüdiger Riesch|author2=Michael Tobler|author3=Martin Plath|title=Extremophile Fishes: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology of Teleosts in Extreme Environments|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JmtnBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA156|date=24 January 2015|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-13362-1|pages=16–17, 142–153, 164, 171}}

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External links

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mexicana

Category:Taxa named by Franz Steindachner

Category:Fish described in 1863

Category:Cave fish