Carcharhiniformes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Carcharhiniformes | |
|---|---|
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| The Blacktip Reef Shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus, is one of the many types of Ground Sharks. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Selachimorpha |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
Carcharhiniformes is the largest order of sharks. Also known as the "ground Sharks" or "whaler sharks", this group contains over 270 species of sharks, including some common ones like the blue shark and the hammerhead shark. Ground sharks are known for having a special membrane which they can use to cover their eyes when needed, two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five gill slits. Ground Sharks are found in oceans, seas, and brackish waters.
Families [change]
There are eight families in this order:
- Requiem sharks, Carcharhinidae
- Weasel sharks, Hemigaleidae
- Barbeled houndsharks, Leptochariidae
- Finback cat sharks, Proscylliidae
- False cat sharks, Pseudotriakidae
- Cat sharks, Scyliorhinidae
- Hammerhead sharks, Sphyrnidae
- Houndsharks, Triakidae
