The largest Allotoca is up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long, but most species only reach between half and three-quarter that size.[3]
Unusually, A. catarinae is probably the result of an ancient translocation by humans in the pre-Columbian era (similar ancient human-assisted translocations are known from certain birds in Mexico). The translocation happened at least 700 years ago and most likely about 1900 years ago. The ancestral species then evolved into A. catarinae at its new isolated location in the Cupatitzio River, a tributary of the Balsas River.[1]
Species
FishBase recognizes eight species in this genus,[3] but their taxonomy is complex and in need of a review.[1] One of the species recognized by FishBase, A. regalis, is distinctive and sometimes placed in its own genus Neoophorus.[2][5]
^ abMeyer, K.M.; A.C. Radda; O.D. Domínguez (2001). "Notes on the genera Neoophorus Hubbs & Turner, 1937 and Allotoca Hubbs & Turner, 1937, with a description of a new species of Allotoca from Laguna de Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico (Teleostei, Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae)". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. Serie B für Botanik und Zoologie. 103 (B): 453–460.
^ abCeballos, G.; E.D. Pardo; L.M. Estévez; H.E. Pérez, eds. (2016). Los peces dulceacuícolas de México en peligro de extinción. pp. 290–300, 438. ISBN978-607-16-4087-1.