A new species of dolphin has been distinguished in Australia. There are 150 dolphin known to live near Melbourne, and some were mistaken as common bottlenose dolphin.
This discovery is a huge deal considering there have only been three discoveries of new dolphin species since the late 1800s. The new species is called the Burrunan dolphin - Aboriginal Australian for "large sea fish of the porpoise kind."
Scientists discovered Burrunan dolphin were a different species after comparing its' DNA and skull to bottlenose dolphin were able to classify Burrunan as Tursiops australis.
There are two populations of Burrunan dolphin living in Australia, all in the Victoria State. Now that it has been realized Burrunan are a unique species, they have been placed under Australia's criteria for endangered animals.
Having Burrunan dolphin formally recognized as a species is crucial to giving the small populations a chance to survive. With only two small resident pods, living so close to the major urban centre of Melbourne - Burrunan dolphin are susceptible to many different ecological threats. Knowing this is a new species will help to raise awareness and protection - especially because people love dolphins.