New species of freshwater dolphin discovery in Brazil is already in danger

The scientific community has discovered a new species of freshwater dolphins, the first in almost 100 years. Called "Araguaia", name of the river where it was discovered, it was the fifth species of freshwater dolphins to be discovered.

This species diverged from other freshwater fish that can be found in South America for more than two million year, having been the first to be discovered since 1918. Scientists estimate that there are only about 1,000 copies of the species inhabiting the river Araguaia says Plos One.

The freshwater dolphins are quite rare. Of the five extant species, three are critically endangered and researchers consider that the Araguaia dolphins should be included in this list. The closest this new species Dolphin is the pink dolphin or the Amazon, which is considered to be the most intelligent species of freshwater dolphins.

Scientists indicate that there are some differences in the number of teeth and the native species of the Araguaia River is smaller, but the main differences in relation to other freshwater dolphins were found in genes.

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