Walking Shark Found in Papua New Guinea Is New to Science

Why It Matters

The discovery adds to global marine biodiversity and highlights an urgent conservation gap for a narrowly distributed, habitat‑specific shark that could disappear without immediate protection.

Key Takeaways

• New species *Hemiscyllium dudgeonae* identified in Milne Bay, PNG
• Researchers captured 12 specimens, confirming distinct DNA profile
• Walking sharks use pectoral fins to walk across reef flats
• Habitat loss threatens the species, risking local extinction

Pulse Analysis

The marine community in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, welcomed the formal description of *Hemiscyllium dudgeonae*, a walking shark previously known only to local fishers as “kadedekedewa”. The species was first encountered by marine biologist Christine Dudgeon in March 2025 during a night dive, and its distinctive spotted pattern set it apart from the nine known congeners. After securing the specimen with a “flip and tuck” maneuver, the research team collected additional individuals, performed DNA sequencing, and confirmed a unique genetic lineage, prompting the eponymous naming after Dudgeon. Walking sharks belong to the genus *Hemiscyllium*, a rare group of elasmobranchs that have evolved pectoral fins capable of supporting locomotion on land‑adjacent substrates. This adaptation allows them to navigate tidal flats, avoid predators, and exploit food resources unavailable to fully aquatic sharks.

The discovery of *H. dudgeonae* expands the genus to ten species and provides a living laboratory for studying convergent evolution of terrestrial movement in fish. Comparative analyses of its morphology and genome may shed light on the genetic pathways that enable fin‑based “walking” and inform broader discussions on vertebrate locomotor diversity. The newly described shark faces immediate conservation challenges.

Coastal development, expanding palm‑oil plantations, and recurrent coral‑bleaching events are eroding the shallow reef habitats that *H. dudgeonae* depends on. Because the species appears endemic to Milne Bay, its population could vanish before comprehensive assessments are completed. Prompt protective measures—such as establishing marine‑protected zones and engaging local communities in citizen‑science monitoring—are essential to prevent local extinction. Successful preservation would also bolster ecotourism, offering divers a rare glimpse of a shark that literally walks on the ocean floor.