In an unprecedented study, scientists from the University of Florida (UF) have delved into the development of hammerhead sharks' skulls, uncovering the process behind their iconic hammer-like shape at the embryonic stage.

Led by UF professor Gareth Fraser, the study focussed on bonnetheads, the smallest among the hammerhead shark species. The species’ abundance in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, along with their near-shore presence, made them ideal subjects for the study.

Coral reefs are essential for marine biodiversity and climate resilience, supporting at least a quarter of marine species and offering ecosystem services worth up to $9.9 trillion annually. More than a billion people, including vulnerable coastal communities, depend on them for their livelihoods.

Today, these vital ecosystems are under threat due to the climate crisis and human activities, and time is running out to protect them.