Comments on: New Dwarf Manatee

By: Saint Vitus

Saint Vitus — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:53:26 +0000

I would say it’s a new species not a subspecies, because of the great difference in size and the fact that it has been genetically isolated for thousands of years.

By: DWA

DWA — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:23:08 +0000

Um, I’m confused.

Species? Or subspecies? Both claims seem to be made, with neither referencing the other.

I understand “identical halotype” to mean, at best, subspecies. And when one says “sub-specific and even specific,” one is not, exactly, making a conclusive announcement of a new species.

Still, splitting hairs can only go so far. If the pictured animal is adult, that’s a different manatee, whatever science calls it.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:41:30 +0000

Great discovery. The only thing that worries me is that along the whole of the Amazon, right now there is only one area that seems to support a viable population of these creatures. As far as the size of the new species in contrast to their bigger freshwater cousins, it is interesting to me that while some species have adopted giganticism as a survival adaptation, still others have gone the other way with dwarfism. Both have their advantages and it is fascinating that even animals closely related will diverge into those species that have developed size and those that have lost it. The variety of ways life adjusts to the environment is truly amazing.

As for the Amazon, I feel quite certain that we are not done seeing discoveries from there. I hold it as a prime area for having the potential to hold large creatures gliding through its murky waters. There are vast stretches that are little travelled and poorly documented. I look forward to some possibly thrilling discoveries there in the future.

By: DARHOP

DARHOP — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:05:15 +0000

Very cute. It is sad that it is on the verge of extinction already.

I wonder if BigFoot will be classified the same if ever proven real ?

By: darkshines

darkshines — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:42:11 +0000

*weeps* oh, the huge manatee!

Oh, its actualy small……

By: Richard888

Richard888 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 05:06:50 +0000

Most fascinating discovery since the Ocapi?

By: zytebac

zytebac — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:20:40 +0000

I once read a claim that in this day and age, there cannot be anymore large animals out there to be discovered, besides the stuff lurking around in the deep oceans.
And lo and behold, they go and find a manatee, which, if it’s like its larger cousin, is not prone to evading detection.
So what else is out there?

By: dws

dws — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 21:23:07 +0000

they so cute!