Banded penguins
Published: January 15, 2010, 8:48 pm
Updated: January 15, 2010, 8:48 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Kevin J. CaleyScientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum:--- Chordata
Class:------ Aves (Birds)
Order:-------- Sphenisciformes
Family:-------- Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus:--------- Spheniscus (Banded Penguins)
Species:-------- 4 species
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The genus Spheniscus (scientific name: Spheniscus - "little wedge", alluding to the shape of the flippers) consists of four species of so-called 'banded penguins' within the Spheniscidae:
Like all penguins, banded penguins are characterized by their erect posture, stiff wings, excellent swimming ability, awkward movement on land, and coloration.The black back and white front make penguins difficult to see when swimming, helping them to blend in with the sea from above and the sky from below.
Banded penguins are distinctive by way of :
- a black-and-white head pattern with exposed facial (loral) skin
- a black horseshoe mark on their underside
The genus contains the most northerly of the penguins - the Galapagos Penguin, which lives close to the Equator
They also exhibit a flexible breeding season, with some populations breeding throughout the year.
While Banded penguins are the most northerly of the penguins, they are associated with cold, nutrient-rich currents.
Black-footed/African penguin. Source:Silvie Hojná, Petr Bašus/BioLib/Encyclopedia of Life
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(wikimedia commons)
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Magellanic penguin. Source: Jim Ross/BioLib/Encyclopedia of Life
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Galapagos penguin. Source: putneymark/Wikipedia
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Further Reading:
- Spheniscus Penguinworld.com (accessed March 29, 2009)
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Citation
Encyclopedia of Life, Peter Saundry (Lead Author);Kevin J. Caley (Topic Editor) "Banded penguins". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth January 15, 2010; Last revised Date January 15, 2010; Retrieved May 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Banded_penguins>
The Authors
The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is an ambitious, even audacious project to organize and make available via the Internet virtually all information about life present on Earth. At its heart lies a series of Web sites—one for each of the approximately 1.8 million known species—that provide the entry points to this vast array of knowledge. The entry-point for each site is a species page suitable for the general public, but with several linked pages aimed at more specialized users. The sites spark ... (Full Bio)
Stewardship Committee
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Dr. Peter Saundry is the Executive Director of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), a nonpartisan organization working to improve the scientific basis of environmental decision making. The NCSE works closely with the many communities that create and use environmental knowledge to make and shape environmental decisions, including academic, scientific, environmental, and business organizations, as well as federal, state ... (Full Bio)
Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum:--- Chordata
Class:------ Aves (Birds)
Order:-------- Sphenisciformes
Family:-------- Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus:--------- Spheniscus (Banded Penguins)
Species:-------- 4 species
|
The genus Spheniscus (scientific name: Spheniscus - "little wedge", alluding to the shape of the flippers) consists of four species of so-called 'banded penguins' within the Spheniscidae:
Like all penguins, banded penguins are characterized by their erect posture, stiff wings, excellent swimming ability, awkward movement on land, and coloration.The black back and white front make penguins difficult to see when swimming, helping them to blend in with the sea from above and the sky from below.
Banded penguins are distinctive by way of :
- a black-and-white head pattern with exposed facial (loral) skin
- a black horseshoe mark on their underside
The genus contains the most northerly of the penguins - the Galapagos Penguin, which lives close to the Equator
They also exhibit a flexible breeding season, with some populations breeding throughout the year.
While Banded penguins are the most northerly of the penguins, they are associated with cold, nutrient-rich currents.
Black-footed/African penguin. Source:Silvie Hojná, Petr Bašus/BioLib/Encyclopedia of Life
|
(wikimedia commons)
|
Magellanic penguin. Source: Jim Ross/BioLib/Encyclopedia of Life
|
Galapagos penguin. Source: putneymark/Wikipedia
|
Further Reading:
- Spheniscus Penguinworld.com (accessed March 29, 2009)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
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