Poecilia mandibularis (Rodriguez-Silva, Torres-Pineda & Josaphat, 2020)
Jawed Limia
photo by Rodriguez-Silva et al.

Family:  Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae
Max. size:  3.85 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.15 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Haiti.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a well-developed lower jaw due to the presence of an elongate anguloarticular bone; preorbital and preopercular pores lacking; with a single preorbital and preopercular canals forming open grooves; further distinguished by having dorsal-fin rays 8 and its origin is slightly behind of the origin of the anal fin in females; predorsal scales 13; caudal fin symmetrical and truncate or slightly convex; body in both sexes without crossbars, spots or blotches (Ref. 128734).
Biology:  This species was collected only from mountain springs that lead to the lake, apparently an endorheic drainage. Site collection is a clear water path with slow current exiting the lake (water temperature 29.9 °C and conductivity 321 microS/cm on the June 5, 2019). Occurs on muddy bottoms and some semi-submerged and submerged vegetation growing near the banks. Sympatric with Gambusia beebei, Limia miragoanensis, L. immaculata, L. nigrofasciata, L. garnieri, L. islai), Nandopsis haitiensis and two species of African cichlids introduced in the lake (Oreochromis aureus and Tilapia sp.) (Ref. 128734).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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