# New penguin species discovery in Kerguelen Islands > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-penguin-species-discovery-in-kerguelen-islands > Updated: 2026-10-11T05:42:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. An international research team has identified a new penguin species, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean. This discovery, published in Communications Biology, represents the first new penguin species described in over a century. By analyzing the complete genomes of 64 penguins from ten colonies and comparing them with museum specimens, scientists determined that the group previously classified as a single species of gentoo penguin actually consists of four genetically distinct species: northern, southern, southeastern, and eastern. The new species is the southeastern group found on the Kerguelen Islands. While the birds are physically similar to other gentoo penguins—sharing dark backs, white bellies, and white eye patches—they can be distinguished through genomic sequencing, specific morphological traits, and vocalizations. Researchers noted that a reference specimen held at the American Museum of Natural History since 1897 had been previously misidentified as a standard gentoo penguin. The study warns that this newly identified species may already be at risk. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: New penguin species discovered in Kerguelen Islands Scientists have identified Pygoscelis kerguelensis, a new cryptic penguin species in the Kerguelen Islands, marking the first new penguin species description in over 100 years. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-penguin-species-discovered-in-kerguelen-islands ### 2026-09-26: New penguin species discovered on Kerguelen Islands Scientists have discovered a new penguin species on the remote Kerguelen Islands, identifying it as a distinct group from the previously known Gentoo penguin species. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-penguin-species-discovered-on-kerguelen-islands-1 --- Cite as: New penguin species discovery in Kerguelen Islands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-penguin-species-discovery-in-kerguelen-islands