New Species of Dolphin discovered!

*Raph's Girl* · 07-05-2005, 01:14 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...lia_dolphin_dc

Australian researchers have identified a new species of dolphin which was once thought to have been the same as an extremely rare mammal predominantly found in Asian coastal waters and rivers.

The Australian Snubfin Dolphin has been declared a separate species to the Irrawaddy dolphins of Southeast Asia, one of the rarest sea mammals on the planet, researchers at James Cook University and the Museum of Tropical Queensland said on Tuesday.

Researcher Isabel Beasley said the newly identified Australian Snubfin Dolphins, or Orcaella heinsohni, live in shallow waters off northern Australia and possibly in neighboring Papua New Guinea.

Beasley said it was impossible to estimate the population of these dolphins because not enough was known about them, but thought one group of about 200 of the dolphins lived off Townsville in the far north of Australia's Queensland state.

"It means that Australia now has an endemic species living in its waters and it's a higher conservation priority now," Beasley told Reuters by telephone.

Australian Snubfins are close relations of the highly endangered Irrawaddy, or Orcaella brevirostris.

Conservation group WWF International estimates there are fewer than 1,000 of the small, migratory and poor-sighted Irrawaddy left in the shallow, murky coastal waters of countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Because the new Australian species also lives in shallow waters, Beasley fears they face the same threats as Irrawaddy.

"Unfortunately, because they live in these environments, they are susceptible to many human threats including accidental catch in shark and fishing nets as well as the effects of coastal development," she said.

The Australian scientists said they hoped publication of their findings in the Marine Mammal Science journal would open the way for more research into the little-known new species.

"Even though Australia is a developed country with more resources than Asian countries, more is known about the Mekong River dolphin population in Cambodia than the Australian species," said Peter Arnold of the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Beasley began to investigate after she noticed variations in size and color between the Asian and Australian dolphins. The Australian Snubfins were found to have three colors on their bodies ranging from dark brown to white compared with uniformly slate gray of the Irrawaddy.

Beasley and Arnold said they identified the new species by examining the skulls and external measurements and observing the dolphins in seven countries.

A genetic study undertaken with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California confirmed their suspicions.

"There are clear differences between the two populations that had not been previously recognized and these were confirmed by the studies on DNA," Beasley said.

Here is an image of a Snubfin:

Raph's Girl Note: I think it's really cool that there's a new species of Dolphin discovered just off the coast of where the Power Puff Girls live....oh and hey...now we know where the PPG live! Queensland, Australia!

Never knew Townsville was in Australia.

*Anarky* · 07-05-2005, 01:29 PM

Sounds like a good snack to go with Tuna.

well, let's hope it doesn't get extinct to fast. And: Welcome to the known world, Snubby!

*XERO* · 07-05-2005, 01:43 PM

Flipper Advanced.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 07-05-2005, 01:49 PM

Good. I like Dolphins so it's good there's more of them. You know they're smarter than us anyways

愛 · 07-05-2005, 03:04 PM

Dolphins are so awesome. I call them the "badasses of the sea."

07-05-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benvenuto

Flipper Advanced.

*falls back laughing*

Yay for new dolphins!

hazlov2004 · 07-06-2005, 09:54 AM

yep they just so cute!! wait till everyone i know hears about this

*Brodie* · 07-06-2005, 10:11 AM

Christ, weren't there enough Dolphins? What do they ever do, really? I want a new species of Baboon....Congo style....

*damnhooligan* · 07-06-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodie

Christ, weren't there enough Dolphins? What do they ever do, really? I want a new species of Baboon....Congo style....

How about a non-Bruce Campbell-killing Congo-style Baboon? I honest to God rented that movie just for the Bruce cameo.

And because Anarky already made the joke I came in here to post, I shall bid you adieu.

Midnight_Tanuki · 07-06-2005, 03:38 PM

Looks like we'd better kiss humanity goodbye and start learning to bow to our dolphin overlords

07-05-2005, 01:14 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	New Species of Dolphin discovered! http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...lia_dolphin_dc Australian researchers have identified a new species of dolphin which was once thought to have been the same as an extremely rare mammal predominantly found in Asian coastal waters and rivers. The Australian Snubfin Dolphin has been declared a separate species to the Irrawaddy dolphins of Southeast Asia, one of the rarest sea mammals on the planet, researchers at James Cook University and the Museum of Tropical Queensland said on Tuesday. Researcher Isabel Beasley said the newly identified Australian Snubfin Dolphins, or Orcaella heinsohni, live in shallow waters off northern Australia and possibly in neighboring Papua New Guinea. Beasley said it was impossible to estimate the population of these dolphins because not enough was known about them, but thought one group of about 200 of the dolphins lived off Townsville in the far north of Australia's Queensland state. "It means that Australia now has an endemic species living in its waters and it's a higher conservation priority now," Beasley told Reuters by telephone. Australian Snubfins are close relations of the highly endangered Irrawaddy, or Orcaella brevirostris. Conservation group WWF International estimates there are fewer than 1,000 of the small, migratory and poor-sighted Irrawaddy left in the shallow, murky coastal waters of countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Because the new Australian species also lives in shallow waters, Beasley fears they face the same threats as Irrawaddy. "Unfortunately, because they live in these environments, they are susceptible to many human threats including accidental catch in shark and fishing nets as well as the effects of coastal development," she said. The Australian scientists said they hoped publication of their findings in the Marine Mammal Science journal would open the way for more research into the little-known new species. "Even though Australia is a developed country with more resources than Asian countries, more is known about the Mekong River dolphin population in Cambodia than the Australian species," said Peter Arnold of the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Beasley began to investigate after she noticed variations in size and color between the Asian and Australian dolphins. The Australian Snubfins were found to have three colors on their bodies ranging from dark brown to white compared with uniformly slate gray of the Irrawaddy. Beasley and Arnold said they identified the new species by examining the skulls and external measurements and observing the dolphins in seven countries. A genetic study undertaken with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California confirmed their suspicions. "There are clear differences between the two populations that had not been previously recognized and these were confirmed by the studies on DNA," Beasley said. Here is an image of a Snubfin: Raph's Girl Note: I think it's really cool that there's a new species of Dolphin discovered just off the coast of where the Power Puff Girls live....oh and hey...now we know where the PPG live! Queensland, Australia! Never knew Townsville was in Australia. __________________

07-05-2005, 01:29 PM	#2
Anarky Outlaw Hero Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tannhauser Gate Posts: 4,867	Sounds like a good snack to go with Tuna. well, let's hope it doesn't get extinct to fast. And: Welcome to the known world, Snubby! __________________ Because it's... I dunno... brutal.

07-05-2005, 01:43 PM	#3
XERO Hybrid Theorist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Alamo City Posts: 8,185	Flipper Advanced. __________________ "Travel at the speed of light... then hit the nitro!"

07-05-2005, 01:49 PM	#4
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Good. I like Dolphins so it's good there's more of them. You know they're smarter than us anyways __________________

07-06-2005, 09:54 AM	#7
hazlov2004 Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Conyers GA Posts: 1,272	yep they just so cute!! wait till everyone i know hears about this __________________ Im a silly and random person

07-05-2005, 03:04 PM	#5
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	Dolphins are so awesome. I call them the "badasses of the sea."

07-06-2005, 10:11 AM	#8
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	Christ, weren't there enough Dolphins? What do they ever do, really? I want a new species of Baboon....Congo style.... __________________ Stupendous Monster

07-06-2005, 03:38 PM	#10
Midnight_Tanuki Foot Soldier Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 185	Looks like we'd better kiss humanity goodbye and start learning to bow to our dolphin overlords __________________