Carcharhiniformes
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Ground sharks
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Chondrichthyes
| ordo = Carcharhiniformes
| ordo_authority = Compagno, 1977
| subdivision_ranks = Families
| subdivision =
Scyliorhinidae (cat sharks)
Proscyllidae (finback cat sharks)
Pseudotriakidae (false cat sharks)
Leptochariidae (barbeled houndshark)
Triakidae (hound sharks)
Hemigaleidae (weasel sharks)
Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
Sphyrnidae (hammerhead sharks)
}}
The ground sharks, order Carcharhiniformes, are the largest order of sharks; they are also called whaler sharks. With over 270 species, carcharhiniforms include a number of common types, such as the blue shark and sandbar shark.
Members of the orders are characterized by the presence of a nictitating membrane over the eye, two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five gill slits.
The families of the carcharhiniforms are expected to be revised; recent DNA studies show that some of the traditional groups are not monophyletic.
Taxonomy
External link
es:Carcharhiniformes fr:Carcharhiniforme la:Carcharhiniformes lt:Mėlynieji rykliai pl:Żarłaczokształtne pt:Carcharhiniformes sv:Gråhajartade hajar