New walking shark discovered in Papua New Guinea – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
In the remote shallows of southeastern Papua New Guinea, a team of researchers has identified a previously unknown species of shark capable of using its fins to move across the seafloor when water levels drop. The find, made during nighttime surveys in Milne Bay, adds another member to the small group of epaulette sharks already known from the region. It also underscores how much remains to be learned about marine life in these isolated tropical waters.
How the Shark Came to Light
Christine Dudgeon of the University of the Sunshine Coast led the fieldwork that produced the specimen. While working after midnight in the Milne Bay area, she captured a roughly meter-long shark by hand. At first the animal appeared to match a species already documented in the same waters, the Milne Bay walking shark.
Back on the boat under better lighting, PhD student Jess Blakeway examined the markings more closely. The pattern differed from any epaulette shark the team had previously studied. What followed were two additional days of careful observation that confirmed the animal represented a distinct species.
Markings That Set It Apart
All walking sharks in the genus Hemiscyllium share a similar body plan and size, yet each species carries its own signature color pattern. The newly described shark displays white stripes combined with small brown spots scattered across its body. In contrast, the Milne Bay walking shark is known for bold leopard-like spots.
These visual differences proved decisive. Researchers rely on such markings because the sharks otherwise look nearly identical in shape and behavior. The consistent distinction in pattern allowed the team to separate the new form from its close relatives with confidence.
Life in the Shallows
Epaulette sharks are nocturnal hunters that feed mainly on invertebrates. They are small, reaching about a meter in length, and pose no threat to people. Their ability to “walk” on their fins becomes useful when they are temporarily stranded in tide pools or very shallow water at night.
The new species shares these traits. It inhabits the same type of remote, shallow habitat that supports other members of the group. Because the sharks remain active only after dark and stay close to the seafloor, they are rarely encountered by casual observers.
What the Find Means for the Region
Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay province continues to yield new marine species, reflecting both its rich biodiversity and the limited scientific attention it has received until recently. Each addition to the catalog of walking sharks helps map how these animals have diversified across isolated reef systems.
Further surveys will be needed to determine the full range of the new species and to assess any pressures it may face. For now, the description stands as a reminder that even well-studied groups of marine life can still hold surprises in the right locations.
