New species of dolphin identified. A team of researchers says it has identified a new species of humpback dolphin. Physical and genetic evidence suggests that cetaceans found in waters off northern Australia are distinct within the humpback family. This general group grows up to 2.4m in length and inhabits coastal waters from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The evidence for the distinct species in northern Australia is outlined in the academic journal Molecular Ecology. "Based on the findings of our combined morphological and genetic analyses, we can suggest that the humpback dolphin genus includes at least four member species," said co-author Martin Mendez, from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Latin America and the Caribbean programme. Dr Mendez added: "This discovery helps our understanding of the evolutionary history of this group and informs conservation policies to help safeguard each of the species." New species scheme for humpback dolphins: Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii), which occurs in the eastern Atlantic off West Africa An Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), which ranges from the central to the western Indian Ocean Another species of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), inhabiting the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans Fourth Sousa species found off northern Australia yet to be named The authors analysed physical data gathered mostly from beached dolphins and museum specimens.

NZ dolphin survival boosted by Marine Protected Area

Hector's dolphins living off the

coast of Christchurch, New Zealand have benefitted from the area's special designation, say scientists. Researchers studied the animals, one of the world's most endangered species of dolphin, for 21 years. Their results show that the survival rate of the dolphins has increased by 5.4% since the Marine Protection Area (MPA) was declared. The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. "This is the first evidence that Marine Protected Areas can be effective for marine mammals. We found a significant improvement in the survival rate," said Dr Liz Slooten from the University of Otago who undertook the research. In 1988 the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary was established in the hope that resident dolphins would be protected from fatalities associated with the gillnet and trawling activities of the fishing industry. A team of ecologists conducted regular photo identification of the dolphins for 21 years, starting two years before the area was officially protected.