Yellow swordtail | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
Family: | Poeciliidae |
Genus: | Xiphophorus |
Species: | X. clemenciae
|
Binomial name | |
Xiphophorus clemenciae
Álvarez, 1959
|
The yellow swordtail (Xiphophorus clemenciae) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Poeciliidae. [2] It is endemic to the upper Coatzacoalcos River basin in southern Mexico. [3] It is typically found in brooks and streams with slow current; it is less frequent in areas with strong current. [2] The yellow swordtail is considered a threatened species by Mexican authorities. [4] It reaches up to 5.1 cm (2.0 in) in standard length. [2]
Unusually, the yellow swordtail appears to be the result of hybrid speciation, and its ancestors a platy species and a swordtail species. [3] [5] The southern mountain swordtail (X. monticolus), which is found further south in the Coatzacoalcos River basin than the yellow swordtail, is the result of a similar event. [3]
The fish is named in honor of Álvarez’ wife Clemencia, whose help and advice made it possible for him to devote himself to the pursuit of his scientific research. [6]
Yellow swordtail | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
Family: | Poeciliidae |
Genus: | Xiphophorus |
Species: | X. clemenciae
|
Binomial name | |
Xiphophorus clemenciae
Álvarez, 1959
|
The yellow swordtail (Xiphophorus clemenciae) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Poeciliidae. [2] It is endemic to the upper Coatzacoalcos River basin in southern Mexico. [3] It is typically found in brooks and streams with slow current; it is less frequent in areas with strong current. [2] The yellow swordtail is considered a threatened species by Mexican authorities. [4] It reaches up to 5.1 cm (2.0 in) in standard length. [2]
Unusually, the yellow swordtail appears to be the result of hybrid speciation, and its ancestors a platy species and a swordtail species. [3] [5] The southern mountain swordtail (X. monticolus), which is found further south in the Coatzacoalcos River basin than the yellow swordtail, is the result of a similar event. [3]
The fish is named in honor of Álvarez’ wife Clemencia, whose help and advice made it possible for him to devote himself to the pursuit of his scientific research. [6]