Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848 (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), a newly introduced fish recorded from natural freshwaters of Iran

First record of the non‐nativeXiphophorus hellerii(Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae), in the Iguazu River Basin, Paraná, Brazil

“…This elongation in the caudal‐fin (the sword), which give to this species the common name of green swordtail, has permitted the separation of this species inside of this genus. In addition, morphometric and meristic data corroborates the identification, such as: dorsal‐fin rays (ii + 10 or 12); pectoral‐fin rays (i + 10), pelvic‐fin rays (i + 5) and anal‐fin rays (ii + 5) (Esmaeili et al, ) (Table ). Both individuals were identified as males, one adult (Figure a) and one juvenile (Figure b), because the anal‐fin was sharpened like a gonopodium and the lower rays of the caudal‐fin were slightly longer than the upper ones (Personal comm.…”

“…Xiphophorus hellerii present an anteriorly rounded and posteriorly compressed body; depressed head; large cycloid scales distributed from the head to the body; large dorsal‐fin; and a small, terminal, and prognathous mouth (Esmaeili, Gholamifard, Teimori, Baghbani, & Coad, ). This species is naturally distributed from northeastern Mexico (Coahuila) to Honduras, Central America (Kallman & Kazianis, ), but has been introduced into at least 33 countries and territories (Esmaeili et al, ), including Brazil. In this study, this exotic non‐native species is reported for the first time in the lower Iguazu River Basin in the South region of Brazil.…”

An update note on diversity and conservation of the endemic fishes in Iranian inland waters

“…Therefore, the Iranian plateau may be considered as a center for the origin of many native species (Hrbek and Meyer, 2003;Esmaeili et al, 2007Esmaeili et al, , 2010aTeimori et al, 2012b). Moreover, several parts of Iran contain many local fish endemics (Coad, 2006;Esmaeili et al, 2007Esmaeili et al, , 2010aEsmaeili et al, , 2010b. Descriptions of 23 new endemic fish species and revalidation of some others since 1998 (i.e.…”

“…Nevertheless, freshwater resources in Iran have been heavily polluted, the morphology of most rivers and streams has been modified, and numerous lakes have suffered eutrophication and many have dried up in recent years. It has also been documented that many of the native fishes in Iran are now directly under several threats, which are mostly induced by human activities (Teimori, 2006;Esmaeili et al, 2009aEsmaeili et al, , 2009bEsmaeili et al, , 2010bTeimori et al, 2010). In order to preserve significant endemic fish diversity in Iran for sustainable conservation management, providing updated information on the endemicity of Iranian inland waters is a priority.…”

Aphanius arakensis, a new species of tooth-carp (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontidae) from the endorheic Namak Lake basin in Iran

“…A number of isolated Aphanius populations that might deserve species status have been reported from endorheic drainages in Iran, but have not yet been investigated in detail (Coad and Abdoli 2000; Hrbek et al 2006; Esmaeili et al 2010). They were commonly identified as Aphanius sophiae (Heckel, 1849) (Coad and Abdoli 2000; Kamal et al 2009); however, it was shown that the true Aphanius sophiae is restricted to the endorheic Kor River basin near Shiraz (Fars Province) (Coad 2009; Esmaeili et al 2012).…”