All articles tagged with #thumbs
Scientists have discovered a dolphin with what appears to be thumbs off the coast of Greece. The unusual flipper morphology is believed to be the result of interbreeding and the expression of rare genes. Despite its unique appearance, the dolphin seems healthy and able to keep up with its pod. The "thumb" is not mobile and likely the result of an altered genetic program during development.
Researchers from the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute have spotted a rare dolphin with hook-shaped "thumbs" carved out of its flippers in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece. The unique flipper morphology, believed to be the result of rare and irregular genes due to constant interbreeding, has surprised scientists. Despite its unusual flippers, the dolphin showed no impact on its speed and interacted normally with its pod. This is the first time such a dolphin has been observed in 30 years of surveys in the open sea and along the coasts of Greece.