Xiphophorus

Taxobox
name = "Xiphophorus"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = Green swordtail, "Xiphophorus hellerii"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Cyprinodontiformes
familia = Poeciliidae
genus = "Xiphophorus"
genus_authority = Heckel, 1848
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Xiphophorus" is a genus of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The type species is "X. hellerii," the green 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 the aquarium trade that name typically refers specifically to "X. hellerii."

The various "Xiphophorus" species are native to areas of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and especially Mexico. All small fishes, they reach maximum lengths of 2.5–14 cm (1.0–5.5 in).

IUCN lists two "Xiphophorus" species, the marbled swordtail, "X. meyeri", and the northern platyfish, "X. gordoni", as Endangered, while the Monterrey 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 Dr Myron 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

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External links

* [http://www.xiphophorus.org/ xiphophorus.org]
* [http://sogua.mamakcorner.com/82/platy/ Platy]