Summary:
- Researchers have identified a distinct morphological change in female bonnethead sharks (*Sphyrna tiburo*), where the characteristic "cephalofoil" or shovel-shaped head flattens and loses its pointed profile as the sharks reach sexual maturity.
- This study highlights the importance of considering ontogenetic (developmental) changes when classifying shark species, as these shape variations could lead to misidentification in field studies if the growth trajectory is not understood.