The Yucatan molly Poecilia velifera (Regan, 1914) (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae): an invasive species in the Mediterranean lagoon of Ayn Zayanah (Benghazi, Libya)

• DOI: 10.3391/bir.2022.11.2.26
• Publication Date: 2022-05-08T08:51:41Z
• Authors: Houssein Elbaraasi; Mohamed Mohamed; Osama Elsilini; Hussein Jenjan; Cinzia Corinaldesi; Emanuela Buschi; Ernesto Azzurro
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; coastal lagoons, alien fish, mollies, North Africa, aquarium release

The Yucatan molly Poecilia velifera (Regan, 1914) is a popular aquarium fish, endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It has been introduced to many countries worldwide. In this paper, we report the occurrence of Yucatan molly in the Mediterranean lagoon of Ayn Zayanah (Benghazi, Libya). Eighty-two individuals (22 males and 60 females) were collected in July 2020 during a field survey. All individuals were identified as P. velifera based on morphological characters and molecular analyses, providing the first evidence of a Yucatan molly invasion into the Mediterranean region.