TAXONOMIC STATUS OF GAMBUSIA-PUNCTICULATA VS G-HOWELLI (PISCES, POECILIIDAE)

In five populations of the G. puncticulata Complex (puncticulata forms ) from Cuba and Isla de la Juventud, 17 morphometrical variables and c ount characters (including the condition coefficient) were evaluated s tatistically. It was found that certain populations may have diverged independently for a particular character. For selection of populations , and for arranging them into the nominal taxa G. puncticulata and G. howelli, two characters are applicable to a limited extent only: the n umber of ray 4p serrae and the head length. Nevertheless, the actual t axonomic value of these characters does not make it possible to recogn ise the validity of G. howelli Rivas, 1944, which is only a younger sy nonym of G. puncticulata Poey, 1854. Detailed morphometry of G. puncti culata according to specimens from Rio Almendares, Havana, is included .