Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of beak whale in the waters off the Japanese coast.
Local whalers have long discussed whales that are now identified as a new species, according to experts from the Japan National Museum of Nature and Science and Hokkaido University.
Researchers examined the remains of six plundered whales stranded on the shores of the Sea of Hunting. Although cetaceans share some characteristics with the Beirddius Bairddius or Berardius bairdii whale species, experts have found that they have a new look on their hands. ]
"Just by looking at them, we could say that they have a noticeably smaller body size, more spindly body, shorter beak and darker color than the familiar Berardius species, "Emeritus Tadasu K. Yamada, curator at the National Museum of Nature and Science, which is working on the project, explained in a statement.
The new species, named Berardius minimus, has a body length between 20.3 feet and 22.6 feet, compared to Beard's beak, which is usually about 32.8 feet.
"There are still many things we do not know about B. minus ," said Takashi F. Matsuishi of Hokkaido University in a statement. "We do not yet know what older females look like and there are still many issues related to the spread of species. We hope to continue to expand what we know about B. minus . ”
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The US National Museum of Natural History also participates in a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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Japan recently resumed commercial whaling after a gap of 30 years, angry conservation groups.
Fox News & Lucia I Suarez Sang and the Associated Press contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers