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...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2013-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Evolutionary Biology |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/25 |