Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:28am on 30 Sep 2026,Wednesday Weather & Environment
Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of gentoo penguin on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean, marking the first new penguin species recognized in more than 100 years. Using DNA analysis, researchers found that gentoo penguins previously considered one species actually comprise four genetically distinct species: northern, southern, southeastern and eastern gentoos. The newly recognized southeastern gentoo, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, looks almost identical to other gentoos but has distinct genetic characteristics. Researchers say the discovery improves understanding of penguin evolution, while warning that warming oceans and climate change could cause significant habitat losses for several gentoo populations.
