Graceful Priapella (Priapella bonita) is a very local species found only in western central Veracruz near El Refugio. This species can grow to about 7.0 cm (about 3 inches). This fish might already be extinct, perhaps caused by pollution from sugar cane mills.

Priapella genus contains a series of small live bearing fish with several representatives in southern Mexico. The Mexican members of this genus are generally plain colored, and the females remind one of guppy females. The similar males are a little stockier than male guppies. The four Mexican species are either threatened, endangered, or possibly extinct.

The Poeciliidae (equal Poecilidae) are a group of live bearing fish native to both North and South America. This family includes many tropical species favored by the pet store industry. There are probably about 18O species in the family. The mosquitofish (Gsambusia affinis) has been introduced widely around the world and is probably the most widely distributed fresh water fish. The guppy, platy, swordtail, and others belong here.

Atheriniformes group of fish consists of diverse marine and freshwater kinds. It includes many of the tropical aquarium fish (guppies, mollies, and platies), flying fish, and the needle fish of the ocean.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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