Marine biologists have identified a new species of shark belonging to the genus Hemiscyllium in the waters off eastern Papua New Guinea. This discovery expands the remarkable group of reef sharks renowned for their ability to “walk” along the seafloor using their pectoral and pelvic fins. The research team’s findings have been published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.
The walking sharks comprise ten similar species of carpet sharks, distinguished by their unique color patterns, genetic markers, and restricted geographical distributions.
This genus is endemic to Australia and the island of New Guinea, a region that aligns with a global hotspot for carpet shark diversity, shaped by extensive tectonic activity and sea-level fluctuations.
Walking sharks are small, primarily nocturnal, bottom-dwelling sharks, typically measuring around 70-80 cm in length, with the largest recorded individual reaching 107 cm.
They are commonly found in shallow coastal habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, usually at depths less than 10 meters, although some have been observed as deep as 50 meters.
Due to their limited mobility and benthic lifestyle, walking sharks inhabit extremely confined ranges, covering areas from just a few hundred square meters to a few square kilometers.
Furthermore, these sharks are oviparous, laying small, oval egg cases on the seabed, which further restricts their dispersal capabilities.
While knowledge regarding the distribution of walking sharks has been updated in the last two decades, species endemic to eastern Papua New Guinea remain inadequately studied.
In a new study, Christine Dudgeon from the University of the Sunshine Coast, along with her colleagues, has addressed these knowledge gaps by examining the distribution of walking sharks in eastern Papua New Guinea.
“New shark species are not discovered frequently, and this is certainly the first species to be named in my honor,” Dudgeon explained.
The newly identified species of the Hemiscyllium genus was found during surveys conducted between 2023 and 2025 in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea.
This shark, named Hemiscyllium dugeonae, is characterized by a distinctive pattern of brown spots interspersed with white dots and dashes across its body, as well as a prominent eye-spot marking behind its head.
Genetic data indicate a close relationship between the new species and Hemiscyllium michaeli.
Researchers also caution that Hemiscyllium dugeonae may be highly vulnerable due to its seemingly limited distribution range.
“We hope to gather more data during our next research trip in October to assist the IUCN Red List in assessing this species as vulnerable or endangered,” said Jessyca Blakey, also from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The scientists also revisited the known distribution ranges of Hemiscyllium michaeli and another walking shark species from Papua New Guinea, Hemiscyllium hallstromi.
“Our research has also changed the understanding of where walking sharks can be found,” Blakey noted. “Previously, it was thought that each species had its own habitat barriers, such as rivers or deep water. We now know that the species’ ranges in eastern Papua New Guinea overlap partially, even though the species themselves don’t inhabit the same areas.”
The new species represents the tenth member of the epaulette shark genus from Papua New Guinea.
Five species are already listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered under criterion B, which applies to only 3% of all sharks.
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