Today, we are going to delve into the fascinating world of Aonyx. Whether it is a topic we are passionate about, a person who has left a mark on history, or simply a date we commemorate, Aonyx deserves to be explored in depth. Throughout this article, we will explore the most relevant aspects of Aonyx, from its origins to its implications in the present. We will delve into its nuances, examine its implications and reflect on its importance today. Get ready for a fascinating journey through Aonyx!
| Aonyx[1] | |
|---|---|
| Aonyx cinereus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Subfamily: | Lutrinae |
| Genus: | Aonyx Lesson, 1827[2] |
| Type species | |
| Aonyx delalandi[a][1] Lesson, 1827
| |
| Synonyms[3][1] | |
Aonyx is a genus of otters, containing three species, the African clawless otter, the Congo clawless otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter. The word aonyx means "clawless", derived from the prefix a- ("without") and onyx ("claw/hoof").
Three species are currently recognised:[10][11]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African clawless otter | Aonyx capensis Schinz, 1821 Five subspecies
|
sub-Saharan Africa |
Size: Habitat: Diet: |
NT
|
| Congo clawless otter | Aonyx congicus Lönnberg, 1910 |
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly Burundi and Nigeria |
Size: Habitat: Diet: |
NT
|
| Asian small-clawed otter | Aonyx cinereus (Illiger, 1815) |
South and Southeast Asia |
Size: Habitat: Diet: |
VU
|
Zoologists differ as to whether or not to include the Asian small-clawed otter in this genus, or in its own genus Amblonyx.[12][13] They also differ as to whether the Congo clawless otter is a species, or is conspecific with the African clawless otter.[14][15][16][17][18]