bentho-planktonic.
For Zagami & al. (2005, p.74) the Mediterranean specimens found in Lake Faro could represent a relict population of Tethyan origin. For Wells (1966/67, p.197) P. magnus Esterly, 1911 and P. latens Gurney, 1927 have any resemblance to P. xiphophorus in the female P5. Both species are inadequately described in that the male is as yet unknown, [except magnus by Yeatman, 1975]. From the descriptions the only difference that can to exist between latens and magnus is in the presence or absence of spatulate setae at the points of insertion of the apical spines on the 3rd segment of the exopod of P5. Nicholls (1944) considers the species as synonyms contrary to Vervoort (1964, p.14) because the very incomplete knowledge of magnus. Comparing xiphophorus with magnus and latens, it differs from both in the presence of the suture (articulation line) between the segments bearing the maxillipede somite and the 1st pediger somite ; it is similar to magnus in the precise nature of the P5 and to latens in having a defree of overlap between the caudal rami, although in detail it is not as Gurney describes for latens. In conclusion, the author, cannot ascribe the Inhaca material to latens.
For Brugnano & al. (2014, p.252), the differences in seasonal and spatial abundance patterns between P. xiphophorus and P. umbraticus in Lake Faro (NE Sicily) might be due to differences in physiology and/or in predation pressure. The different sensivity of these species to temperature variation might be a further adaptation to their different substrate types (i.e the bottom of shallow shorelines, and fouling material suspended in the water colimn, respectively) and explain the species competition in the same locality. Indeed, P. umbraticus is more fecund at all temperature, but less reactive than P. xiphophorus to a temperature increment of as 6¨C.