South Asian river dolphin display the variances needed to support their classification as separate species. Thus, at present, a single species with two subspecies is recognized in the genus "Platanista", "P. g. gangetica" (Ganges river dolphin) and "P. g. minor" (Indus river dolphin). An assessment of divergence rates in mitochondrial DNA of the two subspecies indicates that they diverged from a common ancestor around 550,000 years ago. This ancestor is thought to have been a marine Platanistid inhabiting the epi-continental seas in South Asia during the sea level rises in the middle Miocene. The earliest fossil identified as belonging to the species is only
Patna Marathon "Gangetic Dolphin" has been chosen as the Mascot for Patna Marathon. It has been named "Paltan" which is derived from the biological name of the species "Platanista Gangetica". The mascot has been developed to raise awareness about the conservation needs of the most threatened cetacean and among the world's most threatened mammals and its habitat. Patna Marathon is organized by the Bihar Entrepreneur network (BEN) in association with Bihar Society, Karma Society and various other individuals and organizations. Patna Marathon The Patna Marathon 2012 (PM 2012) is the first international-level marathon organised in Patna, Bihar, India. First edition was held