New dolphin species discovered by scientists in the Amazon

The Amazon region once again strengthens its label of greatest biodiversity in a tropical rainforest in the world. This time a new species of freshwater dolphin was discovered in the Araguaia River.

Tomas Hrbek, from the Federal University of Amazonas, collected DNA samples from the mammal with fewer teeth in each jaw, different from the Amazonian species already discovered. The lineage was named Inia araguaiaensis, or simply araguaia boto for us Brazilians.

Through gene analysis by the Tomas team, it was found that the species may have been isolated from other dolphins for over 2 million years due to the strong flow of rapids. The researchers estimate that fewer than 1, 000 dolphins are living in the river.

Since 1918 a new species of porpoise had not been discovered in the region. These animals are among the rarest in the world and are on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list.