Carcharhiniformes
Carcharhiniformes is an order of sharks, the second-largest order of sharks after the Squaliformes. The order contains about 270 species, and is divided into eight families. Carcharhiniformes are found in all the world’s oceans and include familiar species such as the bull shark, tiger shark, blacktip shark, and whale shark.
Common Names
Members of the order Carcharhiniformes are commonly known as requiem sharks due to the belief that they are responsible for many shark attacks on humans. However, this belief is not necessarily true, and many requiem sharks are not aggressive towards humans. Other common names include ground sharks, requiem sharks, and gray sharks.
Characteristics
Carcharhiniformes sharks have a variety of characteristics, including:
- Two dorsal fins, the first usually larger than the second
- An anal fin
- Five gill slits
- A pair of pectoral fins that are usually longer than the head
- A pair of pelvic fins
- A heterocercal tail (the upper lobe of the tail is larger than the lower lobe)
Carcharhiniformes sharks are generally carnivores, although some species are omnivorous. They have sharp teeth, and some species have a serrated edge on their teeth, which helps them tear through flesh. Carcharhiniformes sharks also have a strong sense of smell and can detect prey from a long distance.
Environments
Carcharhiniformes sharks live in a variety of marine habitats, from coastal waters to the open ocean. They are found in both tropical and temperate waters, and some species can tolerate brackish water. Some of the most common habitats for Carcharhiniformes sharks include:
- Coral reefs
- Mangrove swamps
- Seagrass beds
- Open ocean
Families
The order Carcharhiniformes is divided into eight families, including:
- Carcharhinidae
- Hemiscylliidae
- Leptochariidae
- Proscylliidae
- Scyliorhinidae
- Sphyrnidae
- Triakidae
- Triaenodontidae