Aptenodytes Explained

The genus Aptenodytes contains two extant species of penguins collectively known as "the great penguins".

Etymology

The name "Aptenodytes" is a composite of Ancient Greek elements, "ἀ-πτηνο-δύτης" (without-wings-diver).^[1]

Taxonomy

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus halli
• Emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri
• Ridgen's penguin (Aptenodytes ridgeni) is an extinct species known from fossil bones of Early or Late Pliocene age.

Combined morphological and molecular data^[2] have shown the genus Aptenodytes to be basal to all other living penguins, that is, the genus split off from a branch which led to all other species. DNA evidence suggests this split occurred around 40 million years ago.^[3] This had been foreshadowed by an attempt to classify penguins by their behavior, which also predicted the genus' basal nature.^[4]

Species

Two monotypic species are extant:^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2008-08-05 . British Museum - King penguin . 2020-09-24 . August 5, 2008. British Museum. https://web.archive.org/web/20080805043046/https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/loan_in/k/king_penguin.aspx .
2. Ksepka, D. T. B. . Sara Giannini . Norberto P. . The phylogeny of the living and fossil Sphenisciformes (penguins) . Cladistics . 22 . 2006 . 412–441 . 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2006.00116.x . 5 . 85673628 . free .
3. Baker AJ, Pereira SL, Haddrath OP, Edge KA . 2006. Multiple gene evidence for expansion of extant penguins out of Antarctica due to global cooling . Proc Biol Sci . 273 . 1582. 11–17. 10.1098/rspb.2005.3260. 16519228 . 1560011.
4. Jouventin P . 1982 . Visual and vocal signals in penguins, their evolution and adaptive characters . Adv. Ethol. . 24 . 1–149 .
5. Web site: Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Ciconiiformes (Version 9.004) . 2008-07-05 . www.zoonomen.net.