Wildlife Conservation Society researchers have identified a new species of Dolphins off the coast of Australia, according to The Washington Post.
The new species is being called the Humpback Dolphin, due to a hump found near their dorsal fins.
"Based on the findings of our combined morphological and genetic analyses, we can suggest that the humpback dolphin genus includes at least four member species," study lead author Dr. Martin Mendez, Assistant Director of WCS's Latin America and the Caribbean Program, said in a press release. "This discovery helps our understanding of the evolutionary history of this group and informs conservation policies to help safeguard each of the species."
While there are already Humpback Dolphins found in the Atlantic Ocean, they're genetically different from the species found in Australia recently, according to The Washington Post
The Australia and Atlantic Ocean humpbacks were most likely once a part of the same species but due to environmental changes and evolution, a new species was created.
"New information about distinct species across the entire range of humpback dolphins will increase the number of recognized species, and provides the needed scientific evidence for management decisions aimed at protecting their unique genetic diversity and associated important habitats," study senior author Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, Director of WCS's Ocean Giants Program, said in a statement.
An official name is expected to be announced before the year end once research on the newly discovered species is completed.
Researchers have already started plans to look for more of the humpback dolphins in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, according to The Washington Post to figure out how many exists currently.
Researchers have examined genetic testing tissue of 235 dolphins and the craniums of 180 different dolphins.
Related Articles:
Police GPS Tracking Bullets Designed to Reduce High-Speed Chase Collisions (VIDEO)
Tiananmen Square Crash That Killed 5 Might Have Been a Suicide Attack (VIDEO)
iPhone 6 Release Date: Bigger Phone Expected This Summer?
David Beckham Crash: Retired Soccer Player, Son, Uninjured After Fender Bender
Crazy Ants Are Capable of Killing Other Insects and Starving Out Entire Colonies (VIDEO)
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
