Sagmatias
Encyclopedia
Sagmatias is a genus
that has been proposed for certain dolphin
species that are currently placed in the genus Lagenorhynchus
. Mitochondrial DNA
studies have indicated that certain dolphin species within Lagenorhynchus are actually more closely related to dolphins within the genus Cephalorhynchus
. In order to resolve this situation it has been proposed that the affected dolphin species be placed within the genus Sagmatias. Affected species are:
In addition, there is evidence that the Hourglass Dolphin
(Lagenorhynchus cruciger) should also be placed within the new genus, although the evidence for this species is less conclusive.
Under this categorization, Sagmatias, Cephalorhynchus
and Lissodelphis form the subfamily Lissodelphininae within the dolphin family, Delphinidae.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
that has been proposed for certain dolphin
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
species that are currently placed in the genus Lagenorhynchus
Lagenorhynchus
Lagenorhynchus is a genus in the order Cetacea, traditionally containing six species:* white-beaked dolphin, Lagenorhynchus albirostris* Atlantic white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus acutus...
. Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria, structures within eukaryotic cells that convert the chemical energy from food into a form that cells can use, adenosine triphosphate...
studies have indicated that certain dolphin species within Lagenorhynchus are actually more closely related to dolphins within the genus Cephalorhynchus
Cephalorhynchus
Cephalorhynchus is a genus in the dolphin family Delphinidae. It consists of four species:*Commerson's Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus commersonii*Chilean Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus eutropia*Heaviside's Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus heavisidii...
. In order to resolve this situation it has been proposed that the affected dolphin species be placed within the genus Sagmatias. Affected species are:
- Pacific White-sided DolphinPacific White-sided DolphinThe Pacific White-sided Dolphin is a very active dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean.-Taxonomy:...
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) - Peale's DolphinPeale's DolphinPeale's Dolphin is a small dolphin found in the waters around Tierra del Fuego at the foot of South America. It is also commonly known as the Black-chinned Dolphin or even Peale's Black-chinned Dolphin...
(Lagenorhynchus australis) - Dusky DolphinDusky DolphinThe dusky dolphin is a dolphin found in coastal waters in the Southern Hemisphere. Its specific epithet is Latin for "dark" or "dim". It is very closely genetically related to the Pacific white-sided dolphin, but current scientific consensus is that they are distinct species...
(Lagenorhynchus obscurus)
In addition, there is evidence that the Hourglass Dolphin
Hourglass Dolphin
The hourglass dolphin is a small dolphin in the family Delphinidae that inhabits Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters....
(Lagenorhynchus cruciger) should also be placed within the new genus, although the evidence for this species is less conclusive.
Under this categorization, Sagmatias, Cephalorhynchus
Cephalorhynchus
Cephalorhynchus is a genus in the dolphin family Delphinidae. It consists of four species:*Commerson's Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus commersonii*Chilean Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus eutropia*Heaviside's Dolphin, Cephalorhyncus heavisidii...
and Lissodelphis form the subfamily Lissodelphininae within the dolphin family, Delphinidae.