New shark species never seen before discovered

Nighttime research dives into wild sharks from the Hemiscyllium genus have led to the discovery of a new species, Hemiscyllium dugeonae. Published on Zenodo in a collaborative paper, the study notes that nine similar species were previously known, with matching color patterns and genetic markers. The new find increases the total number of documented Hemiscyllium sharks to 10. The walking sharks, also called epaulette sharks, live in shallow tropical waters in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea and move across coral reefs using their pectoral and pelvic fins rather than continuous swimming. The species was identified in a small area off southeastern Papua New Guinea. Lead author Jess Blakeway of UniSC described a distinct pattern of white stripes and confirmed the species via genetic analysis after two nights that produced 11 additional individuals. Named for Christine Dudgeon, it may face serious extinction risk, with related Papua New Guinea species already threatened on the IUCN Red List.