A new species of ‘walking’ shark has been discovered by scientists. The shark, named H. dudgeonae, is found in the waters of eastern Papua New Guinea and is known to locals as ‘kadedekedewa’, or ‘lazy shark’.
Characteristics of the New Species
The H. dudgeonae shark uses its pectoral fins to meander around over coral underwater and to drag itself between exposed tide pools at low tide, leaving most of its body out of water for up to two hours.
The new species was discovered by a team of researchers led by Jess Blakeway, a PhD student, and Christine Dudgeon, an ecologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. The researchers used genetic analysis to confirm that the new species was distinct from others in the genus.
The discovery of the new species is significant, as it highlights the importance of continued research and exploration of the world’s oceans. The H. dudgeonae shark is found in a limited geographic range and is likely to be listed as endangered due to its small population and limited habitat.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
