A species of unknown dolphin discovered in Brazil!

Araguaia, a brand new species of river dolphin, has been discovered in Brazil. A first since 1918. 

Researchers have identified a new specimen of dolphin in Brazil. Called Araguaia, it takes its name from the Amazon River where it was discovered. It is the fifth species of freshwater dolphin known in the world.

The dolphin family has had a new species since last week. A team of scientists has discovered in Brazil the Araguaia, named after the river located in the Amazon rainforest and in which he lives.

Araguaia: a freshwater dolphin already threatened

This new freshwater dolphin specimen is the first to be identified since 1918. The discovery is historic. There are only five known species in the world, three of which are threatened with extinction. In this list, the Chinese dolphin has already disappeared.

The Araguaia is distinguished from its sea cousins ​​by its long snout that allows it to catch fish even in the mud at the bottom of the rivers. According to the researchers, it would have been different from other South American dolphins, especially pink dolphins, two million years ago. There would be nearly 1 000 individuals in the Amazon.

This discovery is all the more surprising as this new dolphin was not totally unknown to the surrounding population. "It's a place where locals see them all the time. It's a great specimen, but nobody has ever studied it, "says Dr. Thomas Hrbek of the University of Amazonia. It is not impossible that the Amazonian biodiversity still holds many surprises.

Source: Cetaceans Network  et  lexpress.fr