Scientists have identified a tenth species of walking shark off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The newly discovered Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, named after ichthyologist John Dudgeon, uses its pectoral fins to move across shallow reef flats rather than swimming through open water.

Walking sharks belong to the family Hemiscyllidae, small carpet sharks adapted to life on the ocean floor. The discovery, likely published in a peer-reviewed journal, expands the known diversity of these unusual predators. The species joins nine previously documented walking shark species, all found in Indo-Pacific waters, primarily around Australia and Indonesia.

The restricted range of H. dudgeonae presents conservation concerns. Walking sharks occupy limited geographic areas, often confined to specific coral reef systems. This localized distribution makes them vulnerable to habitat destruction, climate change, and fishing pressure. The species' dependence on shallow reef environments means even localized disturbances can threaten entire populations.

Walking sharks represent a remarkable evolutionary adaptation. Their fin-like appendages function as limbs, allowing them to "walk" along the seafloor at speeds up to 4.9 kilometers per hour. This behavior gives them an advantage in hunting small fish and crustaceans within the complex architecture of coral reefs, where swimming proves less efficient.

Papua New Guinea's marine waters contain exceptional biodiversity, yet remain poorly surveyed. Many reef-associated species likely await formal description. The discovery of H. dudgeonae reflects ongoing exploration of tropical marine ecosystems, where thousands of species remain undocumented.

The identification process involved morphological analysis comparing the new specimen to existing walking shark species. Researchers examined physical characteristics including fin structure, coloration patterns, and body proportions to establish it as distinct from known taxa.

This discovery underscores the importance of continued marine biodiversity surveys, particularly in regions facing intense fishing pressure and coastal