Science Tidbits: New Species of Dolphin
Friday, September 23, 2011 at 11:25AM **This post is by our 6th grade daughter, Abby. These weekly posts highlight our daughter's independent study in Marine Science. Each week, she chooses a topic of interest, summarizes her findings, and cites at least three different sources. I am excited to see her take ownership of her learning and to watch her progression throughout the year.**
NEW AQUATIC SPECIES FOUND!
A new dolphin specimen has been found off the southeastern coast of Australia previously thought to be a bottlenose dolphin.
(Image supplied - Luciana Moller: Flinders University)
Of the dolphins that live around Melbourne, scientists thought this new species, the Burrunan dolphin (the Aboriginal name for, “ large sea fish of the porpoise kind”), were bottlenose dolphins until recently. Analysis and DNA studies of the skull show two different specimens of the dolphins.
Prior research had shown that the DNA of the Burrunan was different from the bottlenose, but there was not enough evidence to support a new species. Kate Charlton-Robb of Monash University and her colleagues researched the skulls of dolphins in various museums as well as more DNA analysis to prove that the Burrunan dolphin was a different dolphin.
“This is an incredibly fascinating discovery as there have only been three new dolphin species formally described and recognized since the late 1800s,” said Kate Charlton-Robb. Now that the Burrunan dolphin has been recognized as its own species, it may meet the criteria to qualify as one of Australia’s endangered animals.
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