Aechmophorus

Rennt divers ( Aechmophorus occidentalis)

Aechmophorus is a species of bird from the family of grebes. The genus consists of only two species, the reindeer divers ( Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark divers ( Aechmophorus clarkii ). Fossil is also Aechmophorus elasson, an extinct species known from the Late Pliocene.

Features

The two extant species were described in 1858 by George Newbold Lawrence clarkii as Podiceps occidentalis and Podiceps at the same plant separated, but he pointed out the great similarity of the two new species. Differences he saw, especially in the form of the beak, in the coloring of certain parts of the plumage and in the distribution area.

Dissemination

The reindeer diver is on the North American Pacific coast of the USA is home to the north than the Clark divers. It is found in Canada and in the United States from Washington State to California, the Clark diver is common in southern California and New Mexico, its range extends to Mexico.

Taxonomy

1862 Elliott Coues put the two closely related species Rennt divers and divers Clark in a separate genus named Aechmophorus. The name is composed of the original Greek words and means spear carrier. Coues wanted to point out the sharp beak of the two grebes. The discussion of unique distinguishing characteristics of the two types is ongoing. It was extended by skeletal analyzes and descriptions of the behavior of the two species.