SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Scientists have discovered a new hammerhead shark species, and are naming it after Philanthropist Paul G. Allen. Allen also co-founded Microsoft.
According to Cindy Gonzalez from FIU, the species, Sphyrna alleni, was difficult to identify because of its similarities to the bonnethead shark.
The research team that made this discovery was led by Demian Chapman who was an associate professor at FIU, who is now the Director of Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research.
“DNA analyses provided the first clue that the bonnethead sharks, as we knew them, were at least two species in the Atlantic and not one,” said Chapman. “But DNA alone is not enough to define a species, so we put a team together to look at specimens and see if there were any physical differences as well.”
The Paul G. Allen Family funded this discovery, as Allen was passionate about shark conservation and protecting marine ecosystems.
This discovery was made after COVID disrupted the process by preventing overseas travel.
Since the new species ranges from Belize to Brazil, the discovery would not have been possible without international travel.
“The work to identify and document this new species was truly a community endeavor and involved a team of scientists and Belizean shark fishers,” Gonzalez said.
“It is imperative to study and protect small hammerhead shark species as they are unique to the American continent and have been extirpated, overfished, and misidentified in fisheries,”- Champman
Chapman also informs that Belize has taken step to prevent overfishing and misidentification while fishing.
“Fortunately, Belize has taken proactive steps for shark conservation that may help this species, such as collaborating closely with shark fishing communities to manage shark catches, establishing protected areas, and implementing a nationwide gillnet ban.”
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