To which genus does the white marlin, Kajikia albida, belong within the billfish family Istiophoridae?
Answer
Kajikia
The white marlin (*Kajikia albida*) is classified under the genus *Kajikia*. This genus is distinct from *Makaira*, which houses the blue and black marlins, and *Istiophorus*, the genus for sailfish. This classification reflects deep evolutionary separation confirmed by genetic research, establishing *Kajikia* as a unique branch within the broader billfish family Istiophoridae. The recognition of *Kajikia* as separate from other marlin genera is crucial for understanding billfish phylogeny, distinguishing species like the white marlin from the bulkier, larger marlins that evolved along a different path.
Related Questions
To which genus does the white marlin, Kajikia albida, belong within the billfish family Istiophoridae?What key difference exists in the first dorsal fin structure between the white marlin and the blue marlin?What specific evolutionary event is noted to have occurred earlier than the split between the Istiophorus and Makaira clades?Which genus contains the spearfish, separating it from the white marlin's genus, Kajikia?What IUCN Red List status is currently applied to the white marlin (*Kajikia albida*) due to historical declines?What physical trait is used to distinguish the white marlin's bill structure from that of the black marlin?Besides the white marlin (*K. albida*), which other species is recognized as belonging to the *Kajikia* genus?What life history trait makes the white marlin particularly vulnerable to overfishing according to its conservation profile?What specific type of evidence has solidified the understanding that white, black, and striped marlin are genetically distinct species?What is suggested about the white marlin's evolutionary niche based on its slender bill and smaller size compared to its *Makaira* cousins?