Fungie DNA reveals dolphin's mixed ancestry
A study has found that Fungie, once Ireland's best-known dolphin, had ties to both the Shannon Estuary bottlenose dolphins and a much larger offshore population.
Scientists at Atlantic Technological University in Galway have uncovered Fungie's mixed ancestry, blending Ireland's Shannon Estuary bottlenose dolphins with a larger offshore population. The solitary dolphin, who lived in Kerry harbor from 1983 until his disappearance in October 2020, left researchers with a genetic mystery. The study, published in the international journal Ecology and Evolution, used DNA recovered from a wetsuit swabbed by Denis O’Regan, who regularly swam with Fungie, to identify the dolphin's heritage.
Four out of the five well-known solitary dolphins in Irish waters were found to be genetically linked to the offshore population, while Fungie's unique combination of genetic traits set him apart. The study's co-author, Seán O’Callaghan, noted that this research contributes to the global understanding of solitary dolphins and their origins, while Dr Simon Berrow highlighted the mystery surrounding why these dolphins remain solitary and interact with humans.
The research, led by the late Lorenzo de Bonis, sheds new light on Ireland’s solitary dolphins and their genetic origins.
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