Dr Joe Quattro of the University of South Carolina examined the shark, which has yet to be classified, as part of a study of coastal life carried out with local marine experts. Although the 'cryptic' shark resembles the familiar scalloped hammerhead, Dr Quattro says that the two are genetically distinct.
The population of the newly identified sharks is thought to be smaller than that of the scalloped hammerhead. Adult specimens have been found off North Carolina and Florida and pups off South Carolina, which, it is now thought, could be an important breeding ground for the species. |
