Aldemaro Romero

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Poecilia mexicana Steindachner, 1863 (cave form)

Cave shortfin molly
Common Name:  Cave shortfin molly (E); Höhlenmolly (G)
Etymology:   poikilos (Gr) = with different colors, mexicana (L) from Mexico.
Major Synonyms:  Poecilia sphenops (Valenciennes 1846), Mollienisia sphenops (Regan 1913), Mollienisia mexicana (Hubbs 1961).
History:  The first cave population was described by Gordon & Rosen (1962).		    

Morphological Characteristics:  Maximum length 110 mm SL.

Troglomorphic Characters:  There is an increase in the thickness of the lips of the mouths (Parzefal 2001).

Eye Condition:  Variable: the deeper you go into the cave, the more the eyes are reduced in size (Parzefal 2001).

Pigmentation:  Variable: the deeper you go into the cave, the lower the pigmentation (Parzefal 2001).

Scales:  ~30 in lateral line.

Swim (gas) bladder:

    

Distribution:  Mexico: Estado de Tabasco: Cueva de las Sardinas o Cueva del Azufre, near Tapijulapa Village, about 26 km south of Teapa (ca. 18o51' N, 97o08' W).

    
Habitat and Ecology:  The environment is a calcium sulfate stream that goes through the cave which is about 300 m in length.   Food and Feeding: 
Reproduction and Development:  Mating is initiated by males   Other Behaviors: 

Conservation Status: 

Major Threats: 

  Conservation Plans: 
Phylogenetic Relationships:  It derived from the epigean P. mexicana.