Stories
New Gentoo Penguin Species Discovered After Century on Remote Kerguelen Islands
M
Moneycontrol•22-09-2026, 17:45
New Gentoo Penguin Species Discovered After Century on Remote Kerguelen Islands
- •Scientists identified Pygoscelis kerguelensis, a new gentoo penguin species, on the Kerguelen Islands, marking the first formal naming of a new penguin species in over 100 years.
- •Genetic evidence reveals gentoo penguins comprise four distinct species, not one with subspecies, with the findings published in Communications Biology on September 21, 2026.
- •The international research team, led by scientists from Chile and UC Berkeley, used whole-genome sequencing of 64 penguins to classify the species.
- •The four identified gentoo species are Pygoscelis kerguelensis, Pygoscelis ellsworthi, Pygoscelis taeniata, and Pygoscelis papua, with lineages separating 300,000 to 500,000 years ago.
- •Researchers warn that warming oceans and climate change could significantly reduce suitable habitat for island-dwelling sub-Antarctic penguin populations by 2050.
Key Questions Answered
The newly recognised southeastern gentoo penguin species has been given the scientific name Pygoscelis kerguelensis and is found on the Kerguelen Islands.
Based on whole-genome sequencing and genetic evidence, gentoo penguins now comprise four distinct species rather than a single species with subspecies.
Researchers warn that warming oceans and changing environmental conditions could leave the sub-Antarctic gentoo populations with little suitable habitat by 2050.
