New species of hammerhead shark found in South Carolina

A new genetically unambiguous species of hammerhead shark has been discovered in the north-western Atlantic off the coast of South Carolina, but summer swimmers don't have to worry-it's the sharks that are in trouble, experts say.

The new species of shark, which is the ninth recognized species of hammerhead shark, appears to be rare and breeding only in waters off the South Carolina coast.

The shark, which is classified under the genus sphyrna, resembles a common species called the scalloped hammerhead- a common Atlantic shark that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long. The recent species is yet to be named but will be called the "cryptic species" for the time being.

Similar to existing representatives of the species' family, it is dark in colour with a T-shaped "hammer" overhanging from its head.

Dr Joe Quattro, a biology professor at the University of South Carolina, and the man behind the latest discovery, worked with Jim Grady of the University of New Orleans and Trey Driggers of the National Marine Fisheries Service in making the find.

Quattro discovered the new species while studying coastal sea-life with life experts from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Genetic studies unveiled the waters concealed a similar but unknown "cryptic" species - that is, genetically not connected.

Quattro and his fellow experts discovered that genes in the mitochondrial DNA - the DNA passed from mother sharks to their offspring - differed significantly among sharks that were classified as scalloped hammerhead sharks.

Although adult sharks of the newly discovered species were found off the neighbouring states of Florida and North Carolina, only young sharks appear to be showing up in South Carolina's coastal waters.

Stating about the discovery of the new hammerhead, which raises the need for better shark protection in the U.S, Quattro says, “If South Carolina's waters are the primary nursery grounds for (newly found) species, and females gather here to reproduce, these areas should be conservation priorities.”

Quattro, whose research was published recently in the journal, Marine Biology, added, “Protecting this prime nursery habitat is vital to the survival of the species.”

However, scientists admitted that they do not know why the female of the species has chosen South Carolina as its birthing pool, yet, Dr Quattro believes something as simple as salinity differences or tides may be a factor.