By Jim Knox
In 2011, an unprecedented event occurred in a remote part of the planet that would alter our understanding of the natural world. On Waiatoto Spit, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, along New Zealand’s South Island, an unknown lifeless sea creature was discovered stranded above the wrack line. Closer examination revealed it to be a sea mammal. The 16-foot-long carcass was that of an animal belonging to a group of cetaceans known as beaked whales. Beaked whales, almost by definition, are rare creatures. Initial scientific assessment narrowed it down, identifying it as a True’s Beaked Whale. Yet even scientists can benefit from an alternate perspective.
Nurse, citizen scientist, and Māori whale researcher, Ramari Stewart questioned the finding. Based upon physical characteristics of the animal’s skull, she felt it was distinct from those of True’s Beaked Whales living in the Northern Hemisphere. Further morphological and genetic analysis of the handful of stranded Southern Hemisphere animals—and comparison of the two populations, would eventually prove her correct. This was indeed a species new to science. In honor of her finding, the new species had a new name which reflects the remarkable woman who discovered it.
Ramari’s Beaked Whale, Mesoplodon eueu, like its relatives within the family are remarkable creatures. Among the least known mammals—due to their apparent low populations and deep-sea habitats—beaked whales elude study. With the natural histories of only four of the twenty-four known species modestly known, beaked whales remain mysterious. For those who know their reclusive ways, this comes as no surprise. Dwelling and hunting fish and invertebrates at depths more than half a mile below the surface, and rising for breaths for just a few minutes each hour, they are phantoms of the deep. The known natural histories of most of these species could be written on a small stack of index cards.
While little is known of the animal, its discovery tells us much about scientific discovery in the 21st century. With thousands of new species discoveries announced each year, a few trends have emerged. For one, the species described are not what you may think. When I deliver presentations on this topic, I survey the audiences as to the identity of these mysterious new creatures. Invariably the educated guesses flow. Logically, insects, other invertebrates, fish, and amphibians top the list. Yet, the identity of some of the marquee species may surprise you. In 2005, the Arunachal Macaque, a 3-foot-tall monkey was discovered in India, home to 1.6 billion people. In 2017, a great ape—the Tapanuli Orangutan was discovered in Sumatra. Closer to home, in 2021, Rice’s Whale—a 30-ton, 42-foot-long great whale was discovered in the waters off Florida! How’s that for discovery in our own backyard?
The other trend is perhaps even more surprising. Increasingly, citizen scientists like Ramari Stewart, and even students, are among those receiving due credit for their discoveries. In the 21st century, citizen scientists and students have been responsible for detecting, identifying, researching, and discovering new species of salamanders in Georgia, spiders in Missouri, and frogs in New York—within New York City limits!
This last species—the Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog is actually known to possess a home range within Connecticut—including Fairfield County. What this means for the next generation of local citizen scientists is the real potential to further document the known range of these creatures. Under the training and guidance of the Peabody-Beardsley-Maritime Chapter of Frog Watch USA, students, parents, families, and couples are exploring Connecticut’s wetlands by surveying frog calls to pinpoint this frog’s habitat and range. Such acoustic data is both essential and invaluable in safeguarding the future of this newly discovered species in our own backyard.
It may be a grand irony of science that new species emerge in such seemingly unlikely places and are discovered by non-scientists the world over. In 2021, during Covid quarantine, student Virendar Bhardwaj discovered a new species of snake, the Kukri, quite literally in his own backyard—by posting its image to Instagram. It is this new phenomenon, where discovery is open to all with the desire to explore, that offers to share the treasures of the wild with an eager and fascinated world.
Ramari’s Beaked Whale still has much to teach us. In fact, the very word, “Ramari,” means “rare event” in the Māori language, being true to its discovery. Yet, perhaps the most important thing we can learn is that discovery is not the domain of scientists alone. It is in our species’ DNA. It is for each of us to experience, offering to inspire all. With tantalizing sightings of an unknown species of beaked whale off the coast of Mexico in 2020 and 2021, unknown species abound, and discovery will reward those who question what is known…and what is unknown.
Jim Knox serves as the Curator of Education for Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and as a Science Adviser to The Bruce Museum. A proud Member of The Explorers Club, Jim enjoys sharing his passion for wildlife with audiences throughout Connecticut and beyond.
