Poecilia Mexicana : Introduction

Abstract

The cave molly Poecilia mexicana is an extremophile viviparous teleost inhabiting a sulfur spring cave in southern Mexico, the Cueva del Azufre, a subterranean environment with high levels of hydrogen sulfide and extreme hypoxia. Environment high levels of hydrogen sulfide and extreme hypoxia. To survive and reproduce under these extreme conditions, the cave molly has evolved a series of morphological and physiological adaptations. Morphological adaptations include a reduced body size, reduced eyes, reduced pigmentation, enlarged heads and a hyperdeveloped cephalic lateral line system. Cephalic lateral line system. In this article, we describe the current knowledge about the morphological and anatomical adaptations of the cave molly to an active sulfur spring cave.