Identification of the Mexican Molly, Poecilia mexicana (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae), introduced in Brazil through α-taxonomy and DNA barcoding

Bragança P.H.N., Ramos-Junior C.C., Guimarães E.C., Ottoni F.P.

Published date: December 2019
Volume: 43
Number: 4
Pagination: 331-340
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-434-003
Notes:

Corresponding author: Felipe P. Ottoni, fpottoni@gmail.com

How to cite: Bragança, P. H. N., Ramos-Junior, C. C., Guimarães, E. C., & Ottoni, F. P. (2019). Identification of the Mexican Molly, Poecilia mexicana (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae), introduced in Brazil through α-taxonomy and DNA barcoding. Cybium, 43(4): 331-340. https://doi.org/10.26028/CYBIUM/2019-434-003

Abstract

Despite the numerous reported introduction events of live-bearing poeciliids in tropical and subtropical environments, the identification based only on alpha taxonomy is sometimes challenging. Based on both morphological and DNA barcoding COI gene sequences, the Atlantic molly Poecilia (Mollienesia) mexicana is for the first time reported to Brazil. No genetic structuring was observed in the invasive population, but it seems to be related to haplotypes from Guatemala, from whom it shares a unique nucleotide substitution. Possible threats to the environment and more specifically to other native poeciliid species are discussed as well as a critical perspective on the identification of invasive poeciliids.

Keywords: Alien species - Aquatic invasive - COI - Poecilia mexicana - Poeciliidae - Taxonomy
PDF available for everyone