FIRST CONFIRMED RECORD OF AN ESTABLISHED POPULATION OF SAILFIN MOLLY, POECILIA LATIPINNA (ACTINOPTERYGII: CYPRINODONTIFORMES: POECILIIDAE), IN THE FRESHWATER AREAS OF OMAN, WITH DESCRIPTION OF AN IMPERFECT ALBINISM INCIDENCE

Abstract

Among the ways that the alien can introduce to a new environment is the aquarium trade that became one of the major problem facing the existing of the native species worldwide. This study confirms the presence of an established non-native molly population in two inland water in Oman. The sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna was positively identified using the number of scales around the caudal peduncle as the main pinpointing character within the sailfin molly species complex. The study also reports on the presence of imperfect melanism incidence in one specimen of P. latipinna collected from Al-Amarat area. The causative factor of this anomaly was discussed.