Scientists discover new dolphin

By: Hayes Oliver

Scientists discovered a new dolphin species making waves along the Southeast coast after years of studies prove they are different from common bottlenose dolphins.

Scientifically named Tursiops Erebennus or commonly known as Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin differs from other bottlenose dolphins in several ways.

Typically found inshore, this species of dolphin eats different fish and has a smaller body compared to others. Their evolved, shortened spines have helped them develop ways to navigate tighter spaces where their offshore relatives cannot, bringing them closer to rivers and estuaries.

By taking skull, spine and tissue samples from over 100 stranded bottlenose dolphins, scientists were able to conclude nearly a decade’s worth of research. The research was led by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration along with several East Coast schools like the University of Miami and College of Charleston.

Tara Cox, assistant professor of the Marine Science Program at Savannah State, the only member of the Savannah based school to collaborate on the study, has been helping track and study Tamanend Erebennus for nearly 6 years. Her specialty in spatial ecology of bottlenose dolphins led her to take a deeper dive into how this species interacts with its environment.

“These dolphins are one of the most highly studied mammals along our coast and yet we still have so much more to discover,” Cox said. “Marine life like this is very exciting but they are the worst beggars.”

Even though they were able to conclude their studies, human behavior and climate change threaten to erase years' worth of research and the Tamanend’s population.

Defying local conservation warnings, as well as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a federal law that prohibits feeding wild marine mammals, boaters are feeding them foods not natural to their diet. If given these types of foods, dolphins can become accustomed to being fed which results in a dependence on humans to provide.

Harming natural instincts to hunt for not only themselves but the offspring produced causing malnutrition within local populations.

“Dolphins are wild animals, so when people are feeding them hot dogs, Doritos, or bait from bait shops, it can introduce health issues,” Cox said. “Calves are beginning to develop levels of starvation from mom’s not feeding them as a result of the abnormal feeding.”

As the East Coast invites these new members of marine life during a declining climate, non-profits like the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network in South Carolina are pushing for more protection of marine mammals in the state's waters.

“It’s a big deal, we have a huge responsibility to understand this and protect these dolphins,” Executive Director and founder of Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, Lauren Rust said to Statehouse Report, “Having a local population is already important, we always say how critical they are. But when you make them their own species, it just strengthens the case.”

Between South Carolina and Georgia, a population of nearly 300 bottlenose dolphins have been accounted for, according to Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network.

This is a number too low to be considered endangered under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and instead, Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin is listed as strategic stock, meaning any deaths could leave a large impact on surrounding ecosystems.