Description

This species can be distinguished by the lack of scales on the ventral surface of the body or having a single row of scales, continuous or not, from the isthmus to the bases of the pelvic fins (vs. completely scaled ventral surface of body); enlarged head and postorbital area compared to other species of the genus; prognathous lower jaw with a hypertrophied lip. Colouration: presenting eight to eleven irregular blotches along the mid-lateral surface of the body, formed by dark-brown chromatophores, ranging from rounded spots to vertical bars stretching up to three scales in depth (vs. different configuration pattern) (Ref. 120686).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cyprinodontiformes

Family: Anablepidae

Genus: Jenynsia

Species: Jenynsia sulfurica Aguilera, Terán, Mirande, Alonso, Rometsch, Meyer & Torres-Dowdall, 2019

Climate Zone

Biology

A sulfide-tolerant species currently found restricted to the lagoon and ponds in Laguna La Quinta. The surrounding environment has elevated temperatures (39˚-50˚C), low dissolved oxygen concentrations (0.25-5 mg/L) and elevated levels of SO4 (990 to 1015 mg/l). Adults were found mostly in the deepest ponds while juveniles were found schooling in small, shallow ponds (Ref. 120686).

Habitat

pelagic

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Threat to Humans

Harmless