Marine biologists have recently discovered a new species of walking shark, Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, enriching the remarkable family of reef-dwelling sharks that utilize their four fins to “walk” along the ocean floor. This exciting find emerged from the waters of eastern Papua New Guinea.
Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, male paratype from Nubwageta, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Image credit: MV Erdmann.
These walking sharks belong to a group of 10 similar species of carpet sharks, each identifiable by unique color patterns, genetic markers, and localized distributions.
The Hemiscyllium genus is endemic to Australia and the islands of New Guinea, a region renowned for its rich diversity in carpet shark species shaped by intricate tectonic and sea-level changes.
Typically small and nocturnal, walking sharks reach lengths of 70-80 cm, with the largest individuals documented at 107 cm.
These species prefer shallow coastal areas, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, generally inhabiting depths of less than 10 meters, though they can be found as deep as 50 meters.
Due to their limited mobility and benthic lifestyles, the home ranges of walking sharks are constrained, usually spanning just a few hundred square meters to a few square kilometers.
Additionally, these sharks are oviparous, laying small, oval-shaped egg cases on the ocean floor, restricting their dispersal abilities.
Although research has expanded our understanding of walking shark distributions over the past two decades, the endemic species of eastern Papua New Guinea still require further study.
In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Christine Dudgeon and her team from the University of the Sunshine Coast explored the distribution of walking sharks in eastern Papua New Guinea.
“New species of sharks are a rare find, and this is certainly the first shark named in my honor,” remarked Dr. Dudgeon.
The newly identified Hemiscyllium dudgeonae was discovered during a survey that took place from 2023 to 2025 in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
This species, commonly referred to as the Dudgeon Epaulette Shark, features a unique coloration characterized by brown freckles and white spots throughout its body, alongside a distinctive eye-like marking on the back of its head.
Genetic analysis indicates that this new species is closely related to Hemiscyllium micheli.
Researchers expressed concern for Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, noting its limited range makes it particularly vulnerable.
“We anticipate that the IUCN Red List will classify this species as vulnerable or critically endangered,” said Jess Blakeway, a PhD student at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The study has also updated the known distributions of Hemiscyllium micheli and another walking shark species from Papua New Guinea, Hemiscyllium hallstromi.
“Our research has altered our understanding of walking shark habitats,” Blakeway stated. “It was previously believed that each species occupied distinct habitats separated by barriers, but we now know they have overlapping distributions in eastern Papua New Guinea.”
This new species marks the 10th addition to the genus of Epaulette sharks found in Papua New Guinea.
Currently, there are five endangered species listed under the IUCN Red List, which applies to only 3% of all sharks.
The team’s findings are detailed in a paper published on June 15th in the Marine Science Foundation Journal.
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J.-A. Blakeway et al. 2026. Distribution and description of new species of Walking Shark (Hemiscylliidae: Hemiscyllium) in Papua New Guinea. Marine Science Foundation Journal 46: 71-110; doi: 10.5281/zenodo.20575429
Source: www.sci.news
