Poecilia vivipara

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Southern molly
Poecilia vivipara male and female.jpeg
Male (top) and female (bottom)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Poecilia
Species:
P. vivipara
Binomial name
Poecilia vivipara
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Synonyms
  • Poecilia surinamensis(Valenciennes, 1821) [2]
  • Poecilia unimaculata(Valenciennes, 1821) [2]

Poecilia vivipara, sometimes called the southern molly, is a small euryhaline livebearer fish distributed along the Atlantic coast of South America. It is most frequently found in standing brackish water. It has been introduced outside its native range to control mosquito populations and is occasionally kept in home aquariums.

Contents

Taxonomy

P. vivipara belongs to the Poecilia subgenus of the genus Poecilia [3] and is the type species of the genus. [4] The species most closely related to it are P. parae and P. picta , which belong to the Micropoecilia subgenus. [3]

Description

P. vivipara is a small poeciliid, normally growing to a size of 2–5 cm. [5] The maximum recorded total length is 7.8 cm. [6] Individuals from habitats with higher water salinity tend to grow faster and larger, [7] [8] and these differences in growth patterns are partly heritable. [7] [5] A factor in the size difference between freshwater populations and other populations is the high level of predation to which freshwater populations are exposed; such correlation between body size and predation pressure is usual among livebearers. [7]

Males do not exhibit bright color spots other than passing orange coloration in the throat region, which occurs more frequently in specimens from lagoon environments. Females are larger than males but the sexes do not otherwise differ as much as in the related common guppy, P. reticulata. [7]

Distribution

P. vivipara was originally described from Suriname. [9] The species is presently known to be distributed from the delta of the Orinoco River in Venezuela through Brazil to Uruguay. [2] [9] P. vivipara is one of the most common fish species in Brazil's lagoon ecosystems. [10] Whether the species's range extends south to Argentina, specifically the Río de la Plata region, is contentious. [4]

P. vivipara may have been introduced to the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and Martinique. It is traditionally considered to have been introduced to Brazil's Fernando de Noronha archipelago to control mosquito larvae during the construction of the Second World War military bases but the species's ability to survive in saltwater makes it possible that the fish colonized the area naturally. [9]

Habitat

Habitat at Fernando de Noronha Poecilia vivipara (10.3897-zookeys.746.20960) Figure 2.jpg
Habitat at Fernando de Noronha

P. vivipara mainly inhabits lentic (standing) waters such as canals and drainage ditches at the edges of swamps. [11] It tolerates varying degrees of salinity, ranging from freshwater to hypersaline, [9] but is most common in slightly brackish and rare in fresh water. [11] It may be found in large shoals. [2] Freshwater habitats tend to feature abundant marginal vegetation while aquatic plants are typically absent from saltwater sites. The species is highly tolerant of other environmental extremes as well, especially temperature, allowing it to occupy a variety of lentic habitats. [7]

Ecology

P. vivipara is omnivorous, feeding on diatoms, cyanobacteria, and invertebrates such as insect larvae. [3] [12] Due to preying on mosquito larvae, P. vivipara has been used to control mosquito populations in ponds and reservoirs. [11]

P. vivipara may be parasitized by the metacercariae of Pygidiopsis macrostomum , Ascocotyle pindoramensis , A. diminuta , and Acanthocollaritrema umbilicatum . In the case of A. umbilicatum, P. vivipara acts as a second intermediate host, the first being the aquatic snail Heleobia australis . Heavily infected fish are lethargic and more easily fall prey to the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, which is the parasite's definitive host. [10]

In freshwater habitats the main predator of P. vivipara is Hoplias malabaricus ; P. vivipara is one of the most common items in the latter fish's diet, especially of juveniles and subadults. Possible predators in brackish waters include cichlids Geophagus brasiliensis and Australoheros facetus , which have been observed preying on young but not adult P. vivipara in laboratory settings. [7]

Reproduction

A male from Fernando de Noronha Poecilia vivipara (10.3897-zookeys.746.20960) Figure 1.jpg
A male from Fernando de Noronha

Males are particularly lively and approach females not just of their own species but also of other Poeciliinae species. [11] Unlike the common guppy, P. vivipara males rely on opportunistic (sneak and chase) matings rather than courtship displays. Due to this strategy, sexual selection favors smaller males. [7]

P. vivipara is ovoviparous. The gestation lasts about 28 days. [2] A female may normally deliver 6–10 fry, [11] but the number may exceed 100. [2] Larger females produce more young. [7] [8] The fry, which follow the mother for the first few hours, [11] are approximately 6 mm long at birth. [2] The fish reach sexual maturity at the age of 3–4 months. [2]

In aquarium

The species is peaceful and suitable for a community aquarium but it requires hard water and does best with a dose of salt and a soft bottom. It readily feeds on flake food, algae, and small live food. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livebearers</span> Fish that give birth to free swimming offspring

Livebearers are fish that retain their eggs inside the body and give birth to live, free-swimming young. They are especially prized by aquarium owners. Among aquarium fish, livebearers are nearly all members of the family Poeciliidae and include: guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poeciliidae</span> Family of ray-finned fishes

Poeciliidae are a family of freshwater ray-finned fishes of the order Cyprinodontiformes, the tooth-carps, and include well-known live-bearing aquarium fish, such as the guppy, molly, platy, and swordtail. The original distribution of the family was the Southeastern United States to north of Río de la Plata, Argentina, and Africa, including Madagascar. Due to release of aquarium specimens and the widespread use of species of the genera Poecilia and Gambusia for mosquito control, though, poeciliids can today be found in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In addition, Poecilia and Gambusia specimens have been identified in hot springs pools as far north as Banff, Alberta.

<i>Poecilia</i> Genus of fishes

Poecilia is a genus of fishes in the family Poeciliidae of the order Cyprinodontiformes. These livebearers are native to fresh, brackish and salt water in the Americas, and some species in the genus are euryhaline. A few have adapted to living in waters that contain high levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide and a population of P. mexicana lives in caves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailfin molly</span> Species of fish

The sailfin molly is a livebearer fish typically found in both freshwater and brackish waterways along the East Coast of the United States, from North Carolina south to Florida, and around the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, and south to the Yucatán Peninsula of México. Given their preference for more brackish water conditions, mollies are often found within just a few yards or miles of the ocean, inhabiting coastal estuaries, lagoons, river deltas and swamps, as well as tidal areas with a regular inflow of oceanic minerals and nutrients mixing with inland freshwater sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feeder fish</span> Fish used as live food for other captive animals

Feeder fish is the common name for certain types of small, inexpensive fish commonly fed as live food to other captive animals such as predatory fishes or carnivorous aquarium fish, turtles, crocodilians and other piscivores that naturally hunt in fresh, brackish or salt water ecosystems.

<i>Poecilia wingei</i> Species of fish

Poecilia wingei, known to aquarists as Endlers or Endler's livebearer, in the genus Poecilia, is a small fish native to the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela. They are prolific breeders and often hybridize with guppies. These very colorful hybrids are the easiest to find being offered in pet-shops, typically under the name Endler's guppy.

<i>Limia</i> Genus of fishes

Limia is a genus of livebearing fishes belonging to the Cyprinodontiform family Poeciliidae. It comprises 22 described species found in fresh, brackish, saltwater, and hypersaline habitats of the Greater Antilles islands in the Caribbean Sea. A vast majority are endemic to Hispaniola. There has been a long-running debate on whether Limia should be considered a subgenus of Poecilia rather than a full genus. Most Limia species are detrivores and herbivores. Due to their small size and coloring, they are sometimes kept in home aquaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cauca molly</span> Species of fish

The Cauca molly is a freshwater fish in the family Poeciliidae. This fish is found in Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia, where it lives in shallow waters in the basins of the Lebrija, Magdalena, Cauca and other rivers. P. caucana eats mosquito larvae and algae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humpbacked limia</span> Species of fish

The humpbacked limia or black-barred limia is a critically endangered species of poeciliid fish which is endemic to Haiti. Its common name is derived from the hump males develop as they age. It is sometimes kept in home aquaria.

<i>Micropoecilia</i> Genus of fishes

Micropoecilia is a genus of poeciliids native to fresh and brackish water from the Amazon Basin to Trinidad. While recognized as valid by FishBase, others have considered this genus as being synonymous with Poecilia.

<i>Heterandria formosa</i> Species of fish

Heterandria formosa is a species of livebearing fish within the family Poeciliidae. This is the same family that includes familiar aquarium fishes such as guppies and mollies. Heterandria formosa is not as commonly kept in aquaria as these species. Despite the common name "least killifish", it belongs to the family Poeciliidae and not to one of the killifish families. H. formosa is one of the smallest fish species; the 1991 Baensch Aquarium Atlas listed it as the 7th smallest fish in the world, and as of 2006 it remains the smallest fish species found in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guppy</span> Species of tropical fish

The guppy, also known as millionfish or the rainbow fish, is one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish and one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species. It is a member of the family Poeciliidae and, like almost all American members of the family, is live-bearing. Guppies originate from northeast South America, but have been introduced to many environments and are now found all over the world. They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions. Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins. Wild guppies generally feed on a variety of food sources, including benthic algae and aquatic insect larvae. Guppies are used as a model organism in the fields of ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zenarchopteridae</span> Family of fishes

Zenarchopteridae, the viviparous halfbeaks, is a family in the order Beloniformes. The Zenarchopteridae exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, practicing internal fertilisation, and in some cases ovoviviparous or viviparous. The members in the family are mainly found in fresh and brackish water of tropical Asia and New Guinea, but the genus Zenarchopterus also includes marine species from the Indo-Pacific. Several, such as the wrestling halfbeak, have become commonly traded aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poeciliinae</span> Subfamily of fishes

Poeciliinae is a subfamily of killifish from the family Poeciliidae which contains species from the Americas which are collectively known as the livebearers because many, but not all, of the species within the subfamily are ovoviviparous.

Limia melanonotata, the blackbanded limia, is a toothcarp in the family Poeciliidae. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

<i>Poecilia parae</i> Species of fish

Poecilia parae, also known as the melanzona guppy, is a species of fish from the family Poeciliidae which is found in northern South America from Guyana to the mouth of the Amazon River.

<i>Poecilia kykesis</i> Species of fish

Poecilia kykesis, also known as the Usumacinta molly, Petén molly, spiketail molly, or swordtail molly, is a poeciliid fish species native to the fresh and brackish waters of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It belongs to the sailfin molly clade, with males exhibiting an enlarged dorsal fin. The species has a notably controversial naming history, with the former name, Poecilia petenensis, now referring to a short-finned molly species. It is a livebearer sometimes kept in aquaria.

<i>Poecilia picta</i> Species of livebearer fish

Poecilia picta, the swamp guppy, is a species of livebearer fish found in South America. It is closely related to the common guppy, P. reticulata, and shares its geographic range but tends to be found in more brackish environments.

<i>Poecilia orri</i> Species of livebearer fish

Poecilia orri, the mangrove molly, is a brackish-water livebearer fish from Central America. Two morphs exist, differing in size, body shape, and coloring.

<i>Poecilia vandepolli</i> Species of livebearer fish

Poecilia vandepolli, or Van de Poll's molly, is a poeciliid fish native to the ABC islands of the Lesser Antilles, namely Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. It is a euryhaline species and one of the most common fish in its range, inhabiting fresh, brackish, salt, and hypersaline waters. The fish vary significantly in size and color depending mostly on the salinity of their environment. The saltwater specimens grow faster and become more robust and more colorful, but the species is drawn to the freshwater habitats which disappear in each dry season and must be recolonized when the rains return.

References

  1. ↑ Salvador, G.N. (2023). "Poecilia vivipara". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023: e.T186944A1820729. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T186944A1820729.en . Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Riehl, Rüdiger; Baensch, Hans A. (1994). Aquarium Atlas. Vol. 2. Tetra. p. 744. ISBN   978-3-88244-052-2 . Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Sanchez, Jessica L.; Bracken-Grissom, Heather; Trexler, Joel C. (2019). "Freshwater-to-marine transitions may explain the evolution of herbivory in the subgenus Mollienesia (genus Poecilia, mollies and guppies)". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 27 (4): 742–761 [753]. doi:10.1093/biolinnean/blz045 . Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 Koerber, Stefan; Litz, Thomas O. (2014). "On the erroneous records of Poecilia vivipara from Argentina". Ichthyological Contributions of PecesCriollos. 33 (1–4). Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 Araújo, Márcio A; Perez, S Ivan; Magazoni, Maria Julia C; Petry, Ana C (4 December 2014). "Body size and allometric shape variation in the molly Poecilia vivipara along a gradient of salinity and predation". BMC Evolutionary Biology . 14 (1): 251. Bibcode:2014BMCEE..14..251A. doi: 10.1186/s12862-014-0251-7 . PMC   4272540 . PMID   25471469.
  6. ↑ da Costa, M.R.; Pereira, H.H.; Neves, L.M.; Araújo, F.G. (February 2014). "Length-weight relationships of 23 fish species from Southeastern Brazil". Journal of Applied Ichthyology . 30 (1): 230–232. Bibcode:2014JApIc..30..230D. doi: 10.1111/jai.12275 . Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gomes Jr., José L.; Monteiro, Leandro R. (2008). "Morphological divergence patterns among populations of Poecilia vivipara (Teleostei Poeciliidae): test of anecomorphological paradigm". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society . 93 (4): 799–812. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00945.x . Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 Gomes-Jr, J. L.; Monteiro, L. R. (7 December 2011). "Size and fecundity variation in populations of Poecilia vivipara Block & Schneider (Teleostei; Poeciliidae) inhabiting an environmental gradient". Journal of Fish Biology . 71 (6): 1799–1809. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01653.x.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Berbel-Filho, Waldir Miron; Barros-Neto, Luciano Freitas; Marques Dias, Ricardo; Figueiredo Mendes, Liana; Assumpção Figueiredo, Carlos Augusto; Torres, Rodrigo Augusto; Queiroz Lima, Sergio Maia (26 March 2018). "Poecilia vivipara Bloch & Schneider, 1801 (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), a guppy in an oceanic archipelago: from where did it come?". ZooKeys (746): 91–104. Bibcode:2018ZooK..746...91B. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.746.20960 . PMC   5904379 . PMID   29674897.
  10. 1 2 Santos, Everton G.N.; Cunha, Rodolfo A.; Portes Santos, Claudia (February 2011). "Behavioral responses of Poecilia vivipara (Osteichthyies: Cyprinodontiformes) to experimental infections of Acanthocollaritrema umbilicatum (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae)". Experimental Parasitology . 127 (2): 522–526. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.10.018 . PMID   21070790.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Keith, Philippe; Le Bail, Pierre-Yves; Planquette, Planquette (2000). "Atlas des poissons d'eau douce de Guyane". Journal of Applied Ichthyology (in French). 2 (1). Paris: 286. Bibcode:2014JApIc..30..230D. doi: 10.1111/jai.12275 . Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  12. ↑ Andrade, H. T. A.; Nascimento, R. S. S.; Gurel, H. C. B.; Medeiros, J. F. (2000). "Simuliidae (Diptera) in the diet of Poecilia vivipara Block & Schneider, 1801 (Atheriniformes; Poecilidae) at the Ceará-Mirim river, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil". Entomologia y Vectores. 7 (1): 119–122.
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