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New Whale Species Discovered from Beach Corpse

Whale Had Been a Mystery for 150 Years

Scientists: Spade-Toothed Whale Never Seen Alive

Scientists have identified a new species of whale from the remains of a beached corpse, according to a study published in the journal Marine Mammal Science.

The whale, which has been named the spade-toothed whale, was first described in 1872 based on just a jaw and two teeth. However, it was not until recently that scientists were able to confirm that the spade-toothed whale was a unique species.

In 2010, a team of scientists led by Dr. Alexander Van Helden of the University of Otago in New Zealand collected DNA samples from the remains of a spade-toothed whale that had beached on Pitt Island. The DNA samples were then compared to DNA samples from other whale species, and the results showed that the spade-toothed whale was a distinct species.

"This is an exciting discovery," said Dr. Van Helden. "It's the first time that a new species of whale has been identified in over 100 years."

The spade-toothed whale is a medium-sized whale, reaching a length of about 15 meters. It has a distinctive spade-shaped jaw, which is thought to be used for digging in the sea floor for food.

The spade-toothed whale is a rare species, and it is thought to live in deep water. As a result, it has never been seen alive.

"We're very fortunate to have been able to study this whale," said Dr. Van Helden. "It's a reminder of how much we still don't know about the ocean and its inhabitants."

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