Overview

• Researchers have identified Bigg's killer whales and resident killer whales as two separate species, diverging around 300,000 years ago.
• The discovery is based on comprehensive data, including genetic, morphological, behavioral, and acoustic evidence.
• This classification could have significant conservation implications, especially for the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
• The proposed names for the new species are Orcinus rectipinnus for Bigg's orcas and Orcinus ater for resident orcas, following historical nomenclature.
• The Society for Marine Mammalogy will vote on the official recognition of these species in the coming months.