Which genus contains the spearfish, separating it from the white marlin's genus, Kajikia?
Answer
Tetrapturus
The text explicitly states that the family Istiophoridae contains several distinct genera separated by evolutionary splits. Specifically, the genus *Tetrapturus*, which encompasses the spearfish, is identified as being distinct from the *Kajikia* genus, where the white marlin and striped marlin reside. This distinction signifies another key divergence point within the billfish lineage. While *Kajikia* groups the white and striped marlins closely, *Tetrapturus* represents a separate evolutionary trajectory, highlighting the complexity of the billfish family tree beyond just the major groupings of sailfish and true marlins.
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?