Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2025.34.6
Re-discovery of the invasive guppy Poecilia reticulata (Peters, 1859) (Poeciliidae) in Morocco
Soufyane El Caidi
; Biotechnology, Conservation and Development of Natural Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi
; Applied Biology and Biotechnology Research Team, Nador Multidisciplinary Faculty, University Mohammed Premier, Morocco
Youness Mabrouki
orcid.org/0000-0002-7336-8717
; Biotechnology, Conservation and Development of Natural Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The aquarium and pet trade represents a significant vector for biological invasion, with animals escaping or being released by traders and hobbyists. This can have environmental and/or economic impacts, facilitating the spread of alien species across the globe. One of the best-known aquarium fish is the guppy Poecilia reticulata (Peters, 1859), a popular ornamental fish, native to America but extensively distributed globally through the aquarium trade. This invasive fish species was recorded from a single site in Morocco in 1973 and was thought to have disappeared from the wild. This study highlights the first observation of the guppy in the thermal waters of Sidi Hrazem, thus extending its range into the Sebou basin and Morocco. The aim of this paper is to update our knowledge of the guppy Poecilia reticulata in Moroccan waters by presenting a new record of this invasive species, providing insights into the impact of the ornamental animal trade on its progressive spread and improving our understanding of its ecology in the invaded areas of North Africa.
Keywords
alien species; tropical aquarium fish; progressive dispersal; new records; North Africa
Hrčak ID:
330237
URI
Publication date:
31.7.2025.
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