Posted on 07/05/2005 6:06:34 AM PDT by Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
A team of scientists has identified a new dolphin species - the first for at least 30 years - off north Australia. The mammals - named snubfin dolphins - were initially thought to be members of the Irrawaddy species, also found in Australian waters.
But one researcher found the snubfins were coloured differently and had different skull, fin and flipper measurements to the Irrawaddys.
DNA tests confirmed that they were two distinct species.
The researcher, Isabel Beasley of James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, said that because they live in shallow waters, both types face the same threats to their survival, including being accidentally caught in fishing nets.
'Conservation priority'
Ms Beasley said it was impossible to know how many of the snubfins there are, though a group of 200 is thought to live off Townsville, in Australia's north-east.
Some are thought to live off Papua New Guinea as well, but the majority of the population is thought to be Australian.
"It means that Australia now has an endemic species living in its waters and it's a higher conservation priority now," she told Reuters news agency.
The Irawaddy dolphin is itself extremely rare - conservation group the WWF says fewer than 1,000 remain.
Many live in the shallow coastal waters of South East Asia, where it is considered a culinary delicacy. Commercial trade was banned last year.
Ms Beasley and fellow researchers found that the snubfin dolphin had three colours while the Irrawaddy was slate grey with a white belly.
They also concluded that the snubfin had smaller fins than most dolphins and a rounder forehead.
Hey, what's the difference between dolphin and porpoise?
Well, you serve porpoise with red wine and dolphin with white.
It's always the snub fin that gives them away. Hey, are you really on Gough Island? The one in the middle of the Atlantic? The one nobody has ever been to?
There are over 270 species of native terrestrial (land dwelling) mammals found in Australia and approximately 84% are endemic to Australia, New Guinea and neighbouring islands. This region is the only area in the world where all three sub-classes of mammal are found – the monotremes, the marsupials and the placentals.
I'll bet the new species also goes well with garlic bread.
OK, non-marsupial mammals; however, that should have been obvious from the context of the comment.
Whew....this is a tough crowd for a day after a holiday!
* I meant to include you on my post to isam35 (post #7), but I'm going to see you this afternoon and I didn't want to piss you off ;-)
Sorta'. But you did mention the dingo. I assumed you were referring to water-dwelling mammals. Was clarifying to short-circuit the 'But what about the 'roo's?' comments that were bound to follow.
Not a problem. Following the appointment, and any pain that I hope to avoid for you, I'll prescribe a good round of Mahi-Mahi for the next 3 days. :)
I read this thinking Miami found a running back
Another example of morphological examination being "corrected" through DNA testing ...
Here's how you do it.
1. Get a species declared endangered.
2. Get laws passed protecting the species.
3. When the species numbers get to a non-endangered level discover that it is really two species.
This results in two endangered species.
You mean a new native placental species. Marsupials are also mammals, as are monotremes.
"A team of scientists has identified a new dolphin species - the first for at least 30 years ... named snubfin dolphins ... DNA tests confirmed that they were two distinct species. "
-- Wow, I never realized that evolution could work so fast! A new species evolving in only 30 years.
\smart-ass
If the dolphins required DNA tests to differentiate the two...should it really be considered a whole new species? Just wondering. Im of the thinking, if they look the same, then who cares?
LOL - gulp - I'm on my way - be gentle!
Not to worry.... not to worry.... ;)
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