Makaira Temporal range:
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Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Istiophoriformes |
Family: | Istiophoridae |
Genus: | Makaira Lacépède, 1802 |
Type species | |
Makaira nigricans Lacepède, 1802
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Species | |
Synonyms | |
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Makaira (Latin via Greek: μαχαίρα "sword") is a genus of marlin in the family Istiophoridae. It includes the Atlantic blue and Indo-Pacific blue marlins.[2] In the past, the black marlin was also included in this genus, but today it is placed in its own genus, Istiompax.
Although they are traditionally listed as separate species, recent research indicates that the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara) may be parapatric populations of the same species.[2][3]
The following fossil species are also known:[4][5]
Phylogenetic analyses recover these fossil Makaira as together forming a clade more derived than the extant species, despite all of them being extinct.[5]