Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of all species of swordtails and platies (Pisces: Genus <it>Xiphophorus</it>) uncovers a hybrid origin of a swordtail fish, <it>Xiphophorus monticolus</it>, and demonstrates that the sexually selected sword originated in the ancestral lineage of the genus, but was lost again secondarily

Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of all species of swordtails and platies (Pisces: Genus <it>Xiphophorus</it>) uncovers a hybrid origin of a swordtail fish, <it>Xiphophorus monticolus</it>, and demonstrates that the sexually selected sword originated in the ancestral lineage of the genus, but was lost again secondarily

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Males in some species of the genus <it>Xiphophorus</it>, small freshwater fishes from Meso-America, have an extended caudal fin, or sword – hence their common name “swordtails”. Longer swords are preferred by females from...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kang Ji Hyoun, Schartl Manfred, Walter Ronald B, Meyer Axel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2013-01-01
Series:BMC Evolutionary Biology
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/25

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http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/25

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