A recent study discovered a new subspecies of Bottlenose dolphin in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Unlike the usual species, the said subspecies are smaller.
Marine scientists and researchers have been on the quest to discover new species in the environment, from land to ocean. With many unknown species of animals, researchers could help unlock something new.
The research findings were recently published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution.
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According to NOAA Fisheries, the common bottlenose dolphins are considered one of the most studied marine animals. They could thrive in tropical or temperature water environments and live in coastal waters, bays or gulfs.
Common bottlenose dolphins
NOAA Fisheries added that the said dolphins could weigh from 300 to 1,400 pounds, with a length reaching six to 13 feet. The common bottlenose dolphins can live from 40 to 60 years.
Their diet consists of crabs, shrimp, fish or squid. The report said that the bottlenose dolphins could travel in groups or alone. They have a social behavior that they play with other dolphins.
In addition, NOAA Fisheries explained that the said dolphins are not endangered. However, dolphins are protected by the law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Like other aquatic animals, bottlenose dolphins are threatened by human-caused activities and climate change. The report explained that their threats include illegal feeding, fishing, oil spills, ship strikes or collisions, and habitat destruction.
New bottlenose dolphin subspecies
The researcher discovered a new subspecies of dolphin called Tursiops truncatus Nuuanu that is thriving in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
According to Phys.org, Ana Acosta, Ph.D., explained that the technology helped discover different biodiversity, especially the new subspecies of bottlenose dolphins. Costa is also a Rosenstiel lecturer and studying marine mammalogy.
The report explained that the new subspecies are found to be smaller than the common bottlenose dolphins. They prefer to swim in deep waters, which could be located in Baja California and Galapagos Island.
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Conservation of new species or current animals is important, especially the potential impact of the warming of oceans on their survival. Understanding and knowing new species could help develop conservation management.
In addition, the report explained that the study began in 2016. The researcher carefully analyzed the common bottlenose dolphin species unveiled in the Pacific Ocean. The same species could also be found in museums in the United States.
Having the important specimens, the researchers looked at and analyzed the samples in terms of their existence in dolphin populations. By examining the skull morphology of the species and body size, the researchers discovered a new subspecies.
According to the researcher, Costa said that the study discovered important morphological clusters from the specimens.
Costa added they found new subspecies that could be seen in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and North Pacific waters.
With the help of the study from the University of Miami, they unlocked new subspecies that are important to be preserved and conserved.
Related Article: Male Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins Help Each Other Find Potential Females and Mates, New Study Reveals
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