Prior to 2025,Acipenser contained almost all species in theAcipenseridae outside ofHuso and the "shovelnose" sturgeons (Scaphirhynchus andPseudoscaphirhynchus). However, such a placement is now known to beparaphyletic with respect to the other genera, and these species have since been split intoHuso andSinosturio.Acipenser in the strict sense (sensu stricto) has been redefined with only 3 species.[3]
This is an ancient genus, with phylogenetic evidence suggesting that it is the mostbasal sturgeon genus, having diverged from other sturgeons during theEarly Cretaceous period. Several fossil species known as far back as theLate Cretaceous, with the fossils of two species (A. praeparatorum andA. amnisinferos) known frommass mortality assemblages thought to immediately follow theChicxulub impact, the beginning of theCretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.[4] However, the classification of these fossil species is uncertain under the new taxonomy; for example, "Acipenser"praeparatorum may actually represent a more derived sturgeon related to theHuso-Pseudoscaphirhynchus lineage.[3]
The following species are known from fossil remains, under asensu lato interpretation of the genus. Almost all aside fromA. amnisinferos andA. praeparatorum[5] are thought to benomina dubia.[6]
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Data related toAcipenser at Wikispecies
Media related toAcipenser at Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition ofacipenser at Wiktionary.png)
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