What characteristics place otters into the Genus Lutra rather than in another genus of the Mustelids family?
“There are several factors that govern the placement of species in a particular taxonomic realm. And while it may seem, that when those factors are considered, it is merely matter of fact where a species should be placed, it often becomes controversial. The North American River Otter is such a species. In fact, in the last decade, the N.A. River Otter was removed from the genus Lutra and placed in the genus Lontra to conform to other New World Otters. Lutra is now reserved for Old World otters. But even to this day, there are those who still refer to the N.A. River Otter as Lutra canadensis. One of the main factors in taxonomic placement of a species is dentition. Variations in jaw and tooth structure usually separate species and often genus. Another is reproduction. As a rule, animals of different species cannot produce fertile offspring. Of course, now that DNA testing is commonplace, genetic variations in species can be detected so they may be placed in their correct genus. Click on
“There are several factors that govern the placement of species in a particular taxonomic realm. And while it may seem, that when those factors are considered, it is merely matter of fact where a species should be placed, it often becomes controversial. The North American River Otter is such a species. In fact, in the last decade, the N.A. River Otter was removed from the genus Lutra and placed in the genus Lontra to conform to other New World Otters. Lutra is now reserved for Old World otters. But even to this day, there are those who still refer to the N.A. River Otter as Lutra canadensis. One of the main factors in taxonomic placement of a species is dentition. Variations in jaw and tooth structure usually separate species and often genus. Another is reproduction. As a rule, animals of different species cannot produce fertile offspring. Of course, now that DNA testing is commonplace, genetic variations in species can be detected so they may be placed in their correct genus. Click on
