Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Poecilia: Greek, poikilos = with a lot of colours (Ref. 45335); kykesis: Name from Greek 'Kykesis' for 'a mixing', refering to the confusing mixture of homonyms,
caused by the double recognition Poecilia petenensis and Mollienesia petenensis as congeneric species.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical
North Central America: Guatemala (from the tributary of Rio Usumacinta and nearby lakes, Péten) to Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 13.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 125334); 10.0 cm SL (female)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 16; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 12-16; A 9; lateral line scales 28-29; circumpendancular scales 20; no specific body pigmentation, except for the black margined scale; in adult males, the black margins can form spots, extending the rows of spots found on the caudal fin; caudal fin with a slightly produced lower margin (Ref. 84929).
This species is like other species in the Poecilia latipinna complex, which occurs in shallow, brackish to freshwater coastal areas such as tidal lagoons, lakes, creeks, and pools. It is also found across a range of turbidity (clear to muddy) and substrate types (mud, sand, clay) and is sometimes associated with submerged or emergent aquatic vegetation (Ref. 125334).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Poeser, F.N., 2003. Poecilia kykesis nom. nov., a new name for Mollienesia petenensis Günther, 1866, and redescription, revalidation and the designation of a lectotype for Poecilia petenensis Günther, 1866 (Teleostei: Poeciliidae). Contributions to Zoology 70(4):243-246. (Ref. 84929)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01318 (0.00564 - 0.03080), b=3.14 (2.96 - 3.32), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.3 ±0.2 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
