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

EtymologyEdit

The name "Aptenodytes" is a composite of Ancient Greek elements, "ἀ-πτηνο-δύτης" (without-wings-diver).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

TaxonomyEdit

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

SpeciesEdit

Two species are extant:<ref name = zoonomen>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>


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ReferencesEdit

File:Aptenodytes patagonica (King Penguin).tif
Aptenodytes patagonicus, the king penguin

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External linksEdit

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