Common name: Tamesí Molly

Synonyms and Other Names: broadspotted molly

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Tamesi mollies can be distinguished from other co-occurring species of Poecilia by the absence of two cephalic pores, counts of scales around the caudal peduncle, and color patterns (Miller 1983).

Size: to 50 mm SL (Miller et al. 2005).

Native Range: Tamaulipas, Mexico: headwaters of the Rio Tamesi (Miller et al. 2005; Tobler and Schlupp 2009).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Occurs in clear, flowing reaches of water containing abundant aquatic vegetation over gravel or mud substrates. Primarily a benthic feeder, consuming organic matter, detritus, and associated algae and diatoms (Miller et al. 2005; Tobler and Schlupp 2009).

Means of Introduction: Aquarium release or escape from tropical fish farms (Courtenay et al. 1974).

Status: Failed introduction: this species has not been collected since 1974.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: This species is considered endangered throughout its native range (Jelks et al. 2008; Tobler and Schlupp 2009). The Tamesi molly was recently recognized as a third reproductive host species for the unisexual gynogenetic Amazon molly (P. formosa), an all-female species that requires sperm from another species to stimulate egg/zygote development (Niemeitz et al. 2002).

Although originally classified as part of the shortfin molly (P. sphenops) group based on morphology (Miller 1983), both behavioral (Niemeitz et al. 2002) and genetic (Shartl et al. 1995; Ptacek and Breden 1998) evidence suggest that Tamesi mollies are part of the sailfin molly (P. latipinna) species group.

Voucher specimens: UF 138407.

References: (click for full references)

Courtenay, W.R., H.F. Sahlman, W.W. Miley, and D.J. Herrema. 1974. Exotic fishes in fresh and brackish waters of Florida. Biological Conservation 6:292-302.

Jelks, H.L., S.J. Walsh, N.M. Burkhead, S. Contreras-Balderas, E. Diaz-Pardo, D.A. Hendrickson, J. Lyons, N.E. Mandrak, F. McCormick, J.S. Nelson, S.P. Platania, B.A. Porter, C.B. Renaud, J.J. Schmitter-Soto, E.B. Taylor, and M.L. Warren. 2008. Conservation status of imperiled North American freshwater and diadromous fishes. Fisheries 33:372-407.

Miller, R.R. 1983. Checklist and key to the mollies of Mexico (Pisces: Poecilidae, Poecilia, subgenus Mollienesia). Copeia 1983(3):817-822.

Miller, R.R., W.L. Minckley, and S.M. Norris. 2005. Freshwater fishes of Mexico. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.

Niemeitz, A., R. Kreutzfeldt, M. Schartl, J. Parzefall, and I. Schlupp. 2002. Male mating behaviour of a molly, Poecilia latipunctata: a third host for the sperm-dependent Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa. Acta Ethologica 5:45-49.

Ptacek, M.B., and F. Breden. 1998. Phylogenetic relationships among the mollies (Poeciliidae: Poecilia: Mollienesia group) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Journal of Fish Biology 53(Supplement A):64-81.

Shartl, M., B. Wilde, I. Schlupp, and J. Parzefall. 1995. Evolutionary origin of a parthenoform, the Amazon molly Poecilia formosa, on the basis of a molecular genealogy. Evolution 49:827-835.

Tobler, M., and I Schlupp. 2009. Threatened fishes of the world: Poecilia latipunctata Meek, 1904 (Poeciliidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 85:31-32.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Poecilia latipunctata

Author: Neilson, M.E.

Peer Review Date: 11/14/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.