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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: Peten molly
Synonyms and Other Names: (swordtail molly, spiketail molly).
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Distinguishing characteristics and identification keys that includes this species were given by Miller (1983) and Greenfield and Thomerson (1997). This species is part of the Poecilia latipinna complex. Another name is Mollienesia petenensis. A photograph appeared of this species appeared in Wischnath (1993).
Size: Females 10 cm; males 13 cm.
Native Range: Middle America from southeastern Mexico to Belize and Guatemala (Miller 1983; Greenfield and Thomerson 1997).
Nonindigenous Occurrences: Reported from Hillsborough and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, prior to about 1974 (Courtenay et al. 1974).
Means of Introduction: Probably due to aquarium releases.
Status: This molly has been reported from Florida. It has been suggested that introduced populations have survived for brief periods and possibly reproduced in open waters of that state, but no established populations are known (Courtenay et al. 1974).
Impact of Introduction: Unknown.
Remarks: Males of this species are characterized by a sail-like dorsal fin, similar to that of P. latipinna, and a short sword in the caudal fin (Dawes 1991).
There are no known voucher specimens.
Courtenay, W. R., Jr., H. F. Sahlman, W. W. Miley, II, and D. J. Herrema. 1974. Exotic fishes in fresh and brackish waters of Florida. Biological Conservation 6(4):292-302.
Miller, R. R. 1983. Checklist and key to the mollies of Mexico (Pisces: Poecilidae, Poecilia, subgenus Mollienesia) Copeia 1983(3):817-822.
Other Resources:
FishBase Fact Sheet
Author: Leo Nico
Revision Date: 12/5/2003 Citation for this information:
Leo Nico. 2009. Poecilia petenensis. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=862> Revision Date: 12/5/2003
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