Morphologische Unterschiede in Characodon- Populationen

" Tne genes Characodon encompasses trhree northemmost species of the livebearing goodeids of Mexico in the states of Durango and Coahuila. One of these species Characodon garmani, is extinct for nearly 100 years now. Several populations of the two living species (Characodon audax and Characodon lateralis) differ mainly in body coloration and staining of the unpaired fins. Based on these observations, our questioning has been whether; these populations are differing even morphologically. Therefore we compared Museum specimens from nearly ail known locations.

In contrary to phylogenetical results, revealing that all populations above the waterfalls of El Salto are closely related to Characodon audax (and therefore treated as members of this species by many scientists) and the ones below to Characodon lateralis, our morphological studies revealed in Characodon audax from El Toboso being the most distinct Characodon population. The populations from above and below the falls can be differentiated likewise, so finally three different groups of Characodon can be recognized "