Poecilia

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Poecilia | image = Poecilia_latipinna.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | superclassis = Osteichthyes | classis = Actinopterygii | ordo = Cyprinodontiformes | familia = Poeciliidae | genus = Poecilia | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =

(see text)

}}

Poecilia Bloch & Schneider, 1801, is a genus of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The type species is P. vivipara. Live-bearers, the Poecilia species are collectively known as mollies, with the exception of the famous guppy (P. reticulata).

IUCN list two of the species, P. sulphuraria and P. latipunctata (the broadspotted molly) as Critically Endangered.

The generic name Poecilia derives from the Greek ποικίλος (variegated), in reference to the fishes' coloration.

Species


References