The two left photos are of wild peccary (two different individuals of the newfound species) visiting a pond. Top right shows one killed by hunters. Bottom right is a skin sample. Credits: © NDR Naturfilm/Roland Gockel; © Frieder Salm
Posted on 11/03/2007 11:03:36 AM PDT by BGHater
A new species of pig-like mammal called a peccary has been discovered in the southeastern Amazon region of Brazil, a scientist announced today. It is the largest peccary in the world, about the size of a large dog.
The newly named beast (Pecari maximus) was found in the basin of the Rio Aripuanã and confirmed to be a distinct species via a genetic analysis conducted by the Leiden Centre for Environmental Sciences in the Netherlands.
Though new to science, locals already knew about the creature. Tupi Indians called it Caitetu Munde, which means "great peccary which lives in pairs."
Dutch biologist Marc van Roosmalen of the University of Leiden recently was doing some field surveys in the area and saw the unusual mammal.
"One day I was looking at some monkeys, and I saw three peccaries pass in front of me totally silent," van Roosmalen told LiveScience. "They appeared and then disappeared without making any noise."
"Later, I asked the locals what I had seen," he said. "It shows that you really have to see things and then ask people what you've seen. They are not going to tell you otherwise. It's normal to them. It turns out to be their most hunted animal."
The new finding was published in the Oct. 29 issue of the journal Bonner zoologische Beitrage.
Peccaries are hoofed animals closely related to swine and hippopotami. Until now, only three species were known to science—the collared peccary, the white-lipped peccary and the Chaccoan peccary.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
The two left photos are of wild peccary (two different individuals of the newfound species) visiting a pond. Top right shows one killed by hunters. Bottom right is a skin sample. Credits: © NDR Naturfilm/Roland Gockel; © Frieder Salm
Al Gore?
Hmmm, Algore in Brazil. Carbon offsets?
“A new species of pig-like mammal”
Micheal Moore’s long lost family.
I hate you :)
Looks like Moe Ham-head.
“Peccary” Clinton?
Are they sure it’s not just Michael Moore doing an Amazon-based crockumentary?
Agree. Put them side by side think it would be hard to tell the difference unless the photos aren't showing something.
JERRY “Hospital receives grant to conduct DNA research”..” Government funds genetic research at area hospital” ... Yeah, so?
KRAMER Pigman, baby. Pigman.
Elaine Oh, if I hear about this pigman one more time...
KRAMER I’m tellin ya the pigman is alive. The governments been experimenting with pigmen since the fifties.
Jerry Will you stop it. Just because a hospital gets a grant to study DNA doesn’t mean they are creating a race of mutant pigmen.
KRAMER Oh. Jerry wake up to reality. It’s military thing. They’re probably creating a whole army of pig warriors.
George I wish there were pigmen. You get a few of these pigmen walking around I’m looking a whole lot better. Then if somebody wants to fix me up at least they could say, “Hey he’s no pig-man!”
Jerry Believe me, there’d be plenty of women going for the pig-men. No matter what the deformity you’ll find some group of perverts attracted to it. “Oo that little tail turns me on.”
Don't tase me, Bro!
The important question, of course, is does this critter make for tasty bacon or pork chops?
Actually the peccary is not related to the pig at all.
Nor is javalina
Dang it!...you beat me to it!
Oh, I thought that this was about Rosie O’Donnell..
Not to be confused with Hohe Munde which means “habitat of of giant peckerheads who love to fall from high places.”
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