The Galapagos Shark, Mackerel Shark, scientifically known as Carcharhinus galapagensis, is a species of requiem shark belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. This shark is recognized for its distinctive characteristics and its significant role within the marine ecosystems it inhabits.
Description & Characteristics
The Galapagos Shark, Mackerel Shark is a relatively large species, with a maximum recorded size of 370.0 cm. Its body is characterized by a streamlined shape, allowing for efficient movement through the water. The species exhibits a greyish-brown coloration on its dorsal side, gradually transitioning to a lighter shade on the ventral side.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Galapagos Shark, Mackerel Shark exhibits a wide depth range, being found from 1.0 meters to 286.0 meters. This adaptability allows it to thrive in a variety of marine environments. Notably, the species is often encountered in the epipelagic zone, the uppermost layer of the ocean.
The distribution of Carcharhinus galapagensis spans various locations, including the Pacific Ocean. This geographic spread reflects the species’ adaptability to a range of environmental conditions. The presence of Carcharhinus galapagensis in these regions highlights its role as a key component of these diverse marine ecosystems.
Taxonomy
The species Carcharhinus galapagensis belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Carcharhiniformes, and Family: Carcharhinidae. This classification places the Galapagos Shark, Mackerel Shark within a group of cartilaginous fishes known for their distinctive characteristics, including a skeleton composed of cartilage rather than bone. The Order Carcharhiniformes encompasses a wide variety of sharks, known for their diverse feeding strategies and habitats. The Family Carcharhinidae, to which Carcharhinus galapagensis belongs, is characterized by its members’ typically having a second dorsal fin that is smaller than the first dorsal fin.
Feeding
The Galapagos Shark, Mackerel Shark is a predatory species with a diverse diet. Its feeding habits include consuming a wide variety of prey, including fish (particularly small fish), mammals, sepia (cuttlefish), smaller sharks, and stingrays (specifically smaller individuals). This opportunistic feeding strategy contributes to the species’ success within its ecosystem.
Image References