In a surprising twist reminiscent of a satirical Onion article, scientists from the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute have made a remarkable discovery - a dolphin with what appears to be thumbs. The unusual creature was observed by researchers on two separate occasions during boat surveys off the coast of Greece.

This unprecedented finding was revealed by Alexandros Frantzis, the scientific coordinator and president of the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute. Frantzis described the dolphin's flipper morphology as a "surprising" sight, emphasizing that in their 30 years of surveys in the open sea and monitoring stranded dolphins along Greece's coasts, this was the first encounter with such a unique trait.

Despite the implanted thumb-like structures on its fins, Frantzis assured that the dolphin appeared to be in good health and could keep up with its podmates. The researchers concluded that the flipper abnormality is not indicative of illness, but rather stems from rare and irregular genes resulting from interbreeding among dolphins in the region.

Lisa Noelle Cooper, an associate professor of mammalian anatomy and neurobiology at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, further supported the theory put forth by Frantzis. Cooper suggested that the bilateral presence of the thumb-like flipper indicates a genetic alteration during the dolphin's development as a calf.

The discovery of this dolphin challenges previous understandings of dolphin morphology and highlights the complex nature of genetic diversity within the dolphin population. As scientists continue to study and analyze this rare find, it may shed light on the broader implications of genetic mutations and their potential impacts on marine mammals.

The Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute's groundbreaking observation serves as a reminder of the wonders that can be found in the natural world. This remarkable dolphin will undoubtedly capture the attention and curiosity of researchers far and wide as they delve into the mysteries surrounding its fascinating flippers.