Title

Size And Morphological Variation In Males Of The Sailfin Molly, Poecilia-Latipinna

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Environ. Biol. Fishes

Keywords

Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology

Abstract

Mature males of the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna (Poeciliidae), display extensive variation in size and morphology. Small males, less than about 30 mm SL, usually exhibit no distinctive color or morphological development. Large males, greater than about 45 mm SL, display full expression of the ‘sailfin’ traits, including bright blue and gold life colors, distinctive pigment markings on the fins and body, and a greatly enlarged dorsal fin. Intermediate-sized males, 30–45 mm SL, display intermediate and variable development of secondary sexual characteristics. For convenience, small, intermediate, and large males are respectively referred to as Types 1, II, and III. A multi-year analysis of four study populations in east-central Florida revealed that males did not occur in discrete classes but, instead, occurred in a size and morphological continuum. Coloration and morphological development were highly correlated with size, and the mensural traits examined displayed strong allometry. Size distributions of mature males were relatively stable at any study site over time, but there were large differences between sites. At one extreme, males at the VABI site were always relatively small (16–40 mm SL) and Type III males were absent. At the other extreme, the population at the BDGST site contained a full array of male sizes (18–60 mm SL) and Type III males were present in small numbers throughout the summer months. Regression analysis revealed only minor differences between these extreme populations in the relationship between morphological development and body size. It appears that environmental, genetic, and social factors interact in a complex and poorly understood way to control variation in male size and morphology.

Journal Title

Environmental Biology of Fishes

Volume

13

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-1985

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

35

Last Page

47

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1985AHE1300004

ISSN

0378-1909

Share

COinS