- Xiphophorus
Taxobox
name = "Xiphophorus"
image_width = 250px
image_caption =Green swordtail , "Xiphophorus hellerii"
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Cyprinodontiformes
familia =Poeciliidae
genus = "Xiphophorus"
genus_authority = Heckel, 1848
subdivision_ranks =Species
subdivision = See text."Xiphophorus" is a
genus offreshwater fish in familyPoeciliidae of orderCyprinodontiformes . Thetype species is "X. hellerii," thegreen swordtail . Members of the genus "Xiphophorus" are Live-bearers, meaning that they reproduce via internal fertilization. The "Xiphophorus"species are often collectively called swordtails, but in theaquarium trade that name typically refers specifically to "X. hellerii."The various "Xiphophorus" species are native to areas of
Belize ,Guatemala ,Honduras , and especiallyMexico . All small fishes, they reach maximum lengths of 2.5–14 cm (1.0–5.5 in).IUCN lists two "Xiphophorus" species, themarbled swordtail , "X. meyeri", and thenorthern platyfish , "X. gordoni", as Endangered, while theMonterrey platyfish , "X. couchianus", is Critically Endangered."Xiphophorus" species are regularly used in genetic studies and scientists have developed many interspecific hybrids. The Xiphophorus
Genetic stock center , founded by DrMyron Gordon in 1939 is an important source of these fish for research. In addition, several species are commonly kept by aquarium hobbyists, especially "X. helleri", "X. maculatus" and "X. variatus."The name "Xiphophorus" derives from the Greek words ξίφος (sword) and φόρος (bearer).
Species
FishBase lists 47 species:
*Chiapas swordtail , "Xiphophorus alvarezi " Rosen, 1960.
*Spiketail platyfish , "Xiphophorus andersi " Meyer & Schartl, 1980.
*Sheepshead swordtail , "Xiphophorus birchmanni " Lechner & Radda, 1987.
*Yellow swordtail , "Xiphophorus clemenciae " Alvarez, 1959.
*Short-sword platyfish , "Xiphophorus continens " Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
*Delicate swordtail , "Xiphophorus cortezi " Rosen, 1960.
*Monterrey platyfish , "Xiphophorus couchianus " (Girard, 1859).
*Puebla platyfish , "Xiphophorus evelynae " Rosen, 1960.
*Northern platyfish , "Xiphophorus gordoni " Miller & Minckley, 1963.
*Green swordtail , "Xiphophorus hellerii " Heckel, 1848.
* "Xiphophorus kosszanderi " Meyer & Wischnath, 1981.
*Southern platyfish , "Xiphophorus maculatus " (Günther, 1866).
*Highland swordtail , "Xiphophorus malinche " Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
* "Xiphophorus mayae " Meyer & Schartl, 2002.
*Marbled swordtail , "Xiphophorus meyeri " Schartl & Schröder, 1988.
*Catemaco platyfish , "Xiphophorus milleri " Rosen, 1960.
*Mixe swordtail , "Xiphophorus mixei " Kallman, Walter, Morizot & Kazianis, 2004.
*Montezuma swordtail , "Xiphophorus montezumae " Jordan & Snyder, 1899.
* "Xiphophorus monticolus " Kallman, Walter, Morizot & Kazianis, 2004.
* "Xiphophorus multilineatus " Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
*Mountain swordtail , "Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl " Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
*Panuco swordtail , "Xiphophorus nigrensis " Rosen, 1960.
*Pygmy swordtail , "Xiphophorus pygmaeus " Hubbs & Gordon, 1943.
* "Xiphophorus roseni " Meyer & Wischnath, 1981.
* "Xiphophorus signum " Rosen & Kallman, 1969.
*Variable platyfish , "Xiphophorus variatus " (Meek, 1904).
*Swordtail platyfish , "Xiphophorus xiphidium " (Gordon, 1932).References
*
*External links
* [http://www.xiphophorus.org/ xiphophorus.org]
* [http://sogua.mamakcorner.com/82/platy/ Platy]
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