What are the key differences between the panthera and panther species?

The key differences between the panthera and panther species lie in their classification and physical characteristics. Panthera refers to the genus that includes big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards, while panther typically refers to the melanistic (black) color variant of these big cats, such as black panthers. Panthers can belong to the Panthera genus, but not all Panthera species are considered panthers.