char vs. trout

[quetepuni]

The ever-changing field of taxonomy has focused attention on making distinctions for these common names at the genus level (one level above species). True chars--Arctic char, brook trout, and lake trout--belong to the genus Salvelinus. Atlantic salmonid species--Atlantic salmon and brown trout--belong to the genus Salmo. Pacific species--all Pacific salmon, rainbows, and cutts--belong to the genus Oncorhynchus. This is the scientific explanation for common names thought up a long time ago. All chars do exhibit the spotting pattern previously mentioned.
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