Aptenodytes

The genus Aptenodytes contains two extant and one extinct species of penguins, collectively known as the "great penguins".<ref name = "DeNapoli"/>

Etymology

The name "Aptenodytes" is a composite of Ancient Greek elements, "ἀ-πτηνο-δύτης" (without-wings-diver).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Taxonomy

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus halli
• Emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri
• Template:ExtinctRidgen's penguin, Aptenodytes ridgeni, an extinct species known from fossil bones of Early or Late Pliocene age.

Combined morphological and molecular data<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This had been foreshadowed by an attempt to classify penguins by their behavior, which also predicted the genus' basal nature.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Template:Multiple image

Species

Two species are extant:<ref name = zoonomen>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Species table

References

Aptenodytes patagonicus, the king penguin