Smithsonian Discovers Ancient Dolphin Species in Panama

Fossils dating back from 5.8-6.1 million years ago, were found by Smithsonian Scientists on the Caribbean coast near the town of Piña, Panama. After careful examination, a new genus and species of river dolphin, long extinct has been discovered.

Dr Nicholas Pyenson of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and his team named the species Isthminia panamensis.

The name Isthmania  recognizes the Panama Isthmus and the fossil specimen's living relative, the Amazon river dolphin. The study's authors chose the species name, panamensis, to recognize "the Republic of Panama, its people, and the many generations of scientists who have studied its geological and biological histories”.

The new species will shed new light onto the evolution of today's freshwater river dolphin species.