Marine biologists have recently discovered a new species of shark, Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, a remarkable addition to the group of reef-dwelling sharks known for “walking” on the ocean floor using their four fins. This fascinating species is thriving in the waters off eastern Papua New Guinea.
Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, male paratype, Nubwageta, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Image credit: MV Erdmann.
Walking sharks consist of 10 similar species of carpet sharks, identifiable by their unique color patterns, genetic markers, and confined geographic distributions.
This genus is endemic to Australia and the island of New Guinea, a region recognized as a global hotspot for carpet shark diversity due to its complex tectonic and sea level history.
Walking sharks are typically small, primarily nocturnal, and benthic, reaching lengths of 70-80 cm, with the largest recorded at 107 cm.
These sharks are often found in shallow coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, generally at depths of less than 10 meters, but can be encountered as deep as 50 meters.
Due to their limited mobility and benthic lifestyle, walking sharks have restricted home ranges, 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, which further limits their dispersal capabilities.
Despite advancements in understanding the distribution of walking sharks over the past two decades, the endemic species of eastern Papua New Guinea remains poorly documented.
In a recent study, Dr. Christine Dudgeon and colleagues from the University of the Sunshine Coast explored the distribution of walking sharks in eastern Papua New Guinea, addressing crucial knowledge gaps.
“New species of sharks are rare, and this is certainly the first species named after me,” Dr. Dudgeon stated.
The new species was identified during surveys conducted from 2023 to 2025 in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, and has been named the Dudgeon Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium dudgeonae), distinguished by unique brown freckles and white spots, along with a prominent eye-like marking on the back of its head.
Genetic analyses indicate that this new species is closely related to Hemiscyllium michaeli.
Researchers caution that Hemiscyllium dudgeonae has a limited distribution, making it highly vulnerable.
“We believe that the IUCN Red List should classify this species as vulnerable or near extinction,” remarked University of the Sunshine Coast PhD student Jess Blakeway.
The study also updated previously known distributions of Hemiscyllium michaeli and another Papua New Guinea walking shark, Hemiscyllium hallstromi.
“Our findings challenge the notion that each species is restricted by distinct habitat barriers like rivers or the deep ocean,” Blakeway added.
“Instead, we now understand that these species have overlapping distributions in eastern Papua New Guinea.”
This new discovery marks the 10th species in the genus Epaulette from Papua New Guinea, with 5 already listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List under Criterion B, which pertains to only 3% of all sharks.
The team’s research paper was published in the June 15th issue of the Marine Science Foundation Journal.
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J.-A. Blakeway et al. 2026. Distribution and description of new walking shark species (Hemiscylliidae: Hemiscyllium) in Papua New Guinea. Marine Science Foundation Journal 46: 71-110; doi: 10.5281/zenodo.20575429
Source: www.sci.news