Abstract
The present study addresses the question of whether or not two guppy species, the聽Endler鈥檚 guppy (Poecilia wingei) and the common guppy (Poecilia reticulata) are able to聽mate and produce offspring. The question of interest is in the context of the conservation聽of the Endler鈥檚 guppy that occurs only in a limited habitat compared to the widespread聽common guppy. Female mate choice, male mating behaviors, and possible hybrid聽offspring of these two species were assessed to determine if the two species will mate and聽produce offspring. Endler鈥檚 guppies鈥� females did not show a preference for males of their聽own species, for higher levels of carotenoid coloration, or for larger size in males.聽Additionally, males of these two species did not exhibit significant differences in mating聽behaviors. Finally, these two species were capable of producing hybrid offspring.聽Hybridization in their natural habitats may cause a loss of the Endler鈥檚 guppy, which is聽discussed in the context of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem services.