Rockin' Tortoises

Hi Everyone,

Today, I will be taling about this 150 year old new species of tortoises. This new species was discovered when a team of researchers investigated a desert tortoise from the United States Southwest and northwestern Mexico. What was thought to be a simple problem in species identification turned out to be a very complex matter. Their investigations required forensic genetics and several other methods.

In the end, they found it necessary to describe a new species. More than that, the discovery has very important implications for conservation and the development of the deserts of southern California.

I was actually quite surprised when I read this article, this species of tortoise has been around for 150 years and only now researchers have been able to find it. I had always expected new species to be discovered very quickly due to the high tech machinery that we have currently. Only now I have realised how hard was it to establish a the discovery of a new species. Even when they had discovered this, it is also said that another species that is related to this species still survives. Therefore, these researchers should waste no time and introduce to us a new species of tortoise again.

Link:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628132555.htm

Yours,
Ryan Ong