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