Whales Washed Ashore Reveal New Species

Scientists have discovered a new species of whale, a startling find made through DNA analysis of a handful of the marine mammals that washed ashore in California over the last three decades. The 13-foot beaked whales had been lumped together with another species of the same family found in Australia and New Zealand. But genetic analysis of the five known specimens of the whale indicate that they represent a species distinct from their southern Pacific cousins, despite looking similar.

“Even off the coast of California, where we thought we knew everything, we’re discovering new species,” said John Heyning, an official at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where remains of several of the whales are housed. A report on the discovery will be published in the journal Marine Mammal Science in July.