Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Tuesday 12 March 2019
Scientists discover different kind of killer whale off Chile

By SETH BORENSTEIN poaching off fishing lines, tos in between point to a
AP Science Writer snatching 200-pound fish different type, Pitman said.
WASHINGTON (AP) — For away. Pitman said they He said they are hard to
decades, there were tales are so different they prob- find because they live far
from fishermen and tourists, ably can't breed with other south and away from shore,
even lots of photos, of a killer whales and are likely unlike most killer whales.
mysterious killer whale that a new species. At 20 to 25 "The type D killer whale lives
just didn't look like all the feet long (6 to 7.5 meters), in the most inhospitable
others, but scientists had they are slightly smaller waters on the planet. It's a
never seen one. than most killer whales. In good place to hide."
Now they have. the Southern Hemisphere, Pitman got interested in
An international team of re- killer whales are considered this mysterious killer whale
searchers says they found all one species, classified in when he was shown a pho-
a couple dozen of these types A through C. This one tograph in 2005. When he
distinctly different orcas is called type D or subant- and others decided to go
roaming in the oceans off arctic killer whales. find them, they followed
southern Chile in Janu- Michael McGowen, ma- the advice and directions
ary. Scientists are waiting rine mammal curator at of South American fisher-
for DNA tests from a tissue the Smithsonian, said call- men, who had seen the
sample but think it may be ing it a new species without whales poaching their fish.
a distinct species. genetic data may be pre- After weeks of waiting,
The National Oceanic and This combination of photos provided by Paul Tixier and NOAA mature. Still, he said, "I think about 25 of the whales
Atmospheric Administra- shows a Type D killer whale, top, and a more common killer it's pretty remarkable that came up to the scientist's
tion felt confident enough whale. there are still many things boat, looking like they ex-
to trumpet the discovery Associated Press out there in the ocean like pected to be fed. Equip-
of the long rumored killer a huge killer whale that we ment problems prevented
whale on Thursday. Some a NOAA marine ecologist rounded and less sleek don't know about." the scientists from recording
outside experts were more in San Diego. He was part than normal killer whales Scientists have heard about enough of the whale songs,
cautious, acknowledging of the team that spotted and their dorsal fins are nar- these distinctive whales but they used a crossbow
the whales are different, the orcas off Cape Horn at rower and pointed. ever since a mass strand- to get a tissue sample. Pit-
but saying they'd wait for the tip of South America. They likely mostly eat fish, ing in New Zealand in 1955. man said the whales are so
the test results to answer How different? The whale's not marine mammals like Scientists initially thought it big and their skin so tough
the species question. signature large white eye seals, as other killer whales could be one family of killer that it didn't hurt them, say-
"This is the most different patch is tiny on these new do, Pitman said. Fishermen whales that had a specific ing the arrow "is like a soda
looking killer whale I've ever guys, barely noticeable. have complained about mutation, but the January straw bouncing off a truck
seen," said Robert Pitman, Their heads are a bit more how good they are at discovery and all the pho- tire."q

Rain brings 2nd California super bloom in 2 years

BORREGO SPRINGS, Ca- The 2017 super bloom was "It's just like they said — so
lif. (AP) — It started with the best seen in the Anza- beautiful."
the desert lilies in Decem- Borrego Desert State Park The setting sun lit up the yel-
ber. Since then a wave in 20 years and drew mass low flowers that contrasted
of wildflower blooms has crowds to Borrego Springs, sharply against the brown
been crescendoing across a town of 3,500 that abuts and copper mountains in
Southern California's Anza- the park. the background.
Borrego desert in a burst of "There's just an abundance There are tapestries of hot
color so vivid it can be seen in where it's blooming and pink Bigelow's Monkey
from mountain tops thou- it's coming in waves," said Flower, purple Sand Verbe-
sands of feet above. Betsy Knaak, executive di- na, delicate white and yel-
Two years after steady rains rector of the Anza-Borrego low Evening Primrose and
followed by warm tem- Desert Natural History As- of course the desert lilies,
peratures caused seeds sociation, which tracks the which bloomed extremely
dormant for decades un- blooms. early, opening up in De-
In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019, photo, Rene Garcia holds her der the desert floor to burst On a recent day, Knaak cember, signaling a super
three-month-old son Brandon amid wildflowers in bloom near open and produce a spec- wandered through swaths bloom was possible.
Borrego Springs, Calif. tacular display dubbed of bright yellow and acres Bright orange poppies are
Associated Press the "super bloom," another of purple outside Borrego also blanketing the sides
winter soaking this year is Springs. Families, retired of Southern California high-
expected to create possi- couples and college stu- ways.
bly an even better show by dents traipsed into the A research associate at
Mother Nature. fields trying to capture the Dice's center recently
Having two super blooms in natural wonder in photos. hiked up to the top of Coy-
two years is highly unusual. Stephen Rawding drove ote Mountain and shot a
In California, super blooms out from Carlsbad, north photo of the purple fields
happen about once in a of San Diego, to take pho- 3,000 feet (914 meters) be-
decade in a given area, tos with his girlfriend after a low.
and they have been oc- friend told him it was better "It was pretty spectacular
curring less frequently with than the one in 2017. to see that from up above,"
the drought. "It's unreal," Rawding said. Dice said.q