Animals may look alike and are asumed for decades as being one and the same, but scientists are often wrong. Australian and New Zealand little penguins (Eudyptula minor) look identical, However, new reseach shows that they are different species. The cute little penguin is the smallest of all penguins. It is only 30cm tall. It lives along the southern coast of Australia and coastal New Zealand.
Many scientists find it surprising that two different species inhabit the same region and look very much alike. The answer lies in the nature of the niche. Animals evolve to take advantage of a particular niche, so to a large degree the niche shapes the animal.
There is strong opinion that the Australian little penguin should be given a name. A name has been put forward: Eudyptula novaehollandiae. There is a problem as the Australia species is also found in Otago on the southernmost tip of New Zealand: how they got there is a mystery.
◆ Biology by Ty Buchanan ◆
Australian Blog
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A LITTLE DIFFERENT PENGUIN
#little #penguin #australia #new #zealand #species #bred #breeding #evolved
A LITTLE DIFFERENT PENGUIN
#little #penguin #australia #new #zealand #species #bred #breeding #evolved
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