Researchers have announced the discovery of a new species of walking shark, identified in the remote, shallow waters off the southeastern coast of Papua New Guinea. This newly described species has been named Dudgeon’s walking shark, scientifically known as Hemiscyllium dudgeonae.
The Dudgeon’s walking shark belongs to the epaulette shark family, a group of small sharks renowned for their distinctive locomotion. These sharks are capable of using their pectoral and pelvic fins to effectively “walk” across the seafloor, particularly when stranded in tidal shallows.
The discovery highlights the ongoing potential for uncovering new marine life in less explored aquatic environments. Epaulette sharks, in general, are a fascinating group due to their adaptation to coastal habitats and their unusual method of movement outside of deeper water.
Source: Mongabay