Genetic samples the team collected will help determine whether this animal, with its distinctly different color pattern and body shape, is indeed new to science. See amazing video footage of the whales below.
Top: An adult male 'regular' killer whale – note the size of the white eye patch, less rounded head and dorsal fin shape. Bottom: An adult male Type D killer whale – note the tiny eye patch, more rounded head, and more narrow, pointed dorsal fin. Illustrations by Uko Gorter.
The expedition team and the R/V Australis in waters off the Antarctic peninsula.