New dolphin discovered in Australia?

A new species of dolphin may have been identified in Australia.

Scientists hope DNA samples taken from a group of dolphins swimming off the coast of Broome in Western Australia will establish if it represents a local sub-species or even a previously unknown species.

The researchers suspect that the group a may be a sub-species of the locally endemic snubfin dolphin, which was only identified in 2005. The snubfin has a shorter dorsal fin and more rounded snout than other dolphin species. Small populations were found off the Northern Territory and Queensland coasts.

An alternative theory is that the dolphins now being studied are an entirely distinct species.

The team from WWF-Australia has collected DNA samples from the Broome group using darts launched from their boat, and has also filmed the dolphins playing.

WWF-Australia has now listed protection of the snubfin as one of its conservation priorities.

A separate research project based in Darwin is currently studying the behaviour of local dolphins, including a number of snubfin.