The Shark Order Lamniformes
Guide to Shark Identification
Order Lamniformes
Mackerel Sharks
Characteristics shared by all lamnoid sharks are as follows:
- nictitating eyelids absent
- mouth behind front of eyes
- five pairs of gill slits
- both dorsal fins without spines
- anal fin present
The order Lamniformes are not the largest group of sharks, although they are probably the most diversified. Sharks in this order include everything from the infamous Great White to the docile Sand Tiger to the filter feeding Basking Shark. This order of sharks is different in several ways, first they lack a nictitating membrane of skin that covers the sharks vulnerable eyes when it attacks, however, an exception to this is the Great White that rolls its eyes backwards when it attacks. Second many sharks in this group are hard to classify, especially the sand tigers because they are very similar in appearance
The lamnoids also include some of the most spectacular and popular sharks. The Goblin, Sandtiger, Megamouth, threshers, Basking, and the Great White Sharks..In size, the lamnoids range from the little Crocodile Shark which grows to 3.6 feet to the enormous Basking Shark which grows to a length of at least 32 feet. Most lamnoids are active, apex predators and some are considered dangerous to humans (the name derives from lamia, a horrible, serpent-like monster of Greek mythology with a taste for human flesh). A few lamnoids , the Basking and Megamouth sharks are planktivores, straining tiny animals from the water via bristle- or finger-like gill rakers.
Habitat
These sharks are associated with continental or insular landmasses; none is oceanic. They reach depths of 630 to nearly 4,000 ft. Found in all warm temperature and tropical seas, though distribution of individual species may be patchy as they are found in different areas of the world.
Diet
Bony fishes, small sharks and rays, cephalopods, and large crustaceans, however their diet also varies, from being ravenous meat eaters to mild-tempered filter-feeders.
Predator
Most lamnoids are active, apex predators and some are considered dangerous to humans (the group's scientific name derives from lamia, a horrible, serpent-like monster of Greek mythology with a taste for human flesh). A few lamnoids - namely, the Basking and Megamouth (Megachasma pelagios) sharks - are planktivores, straining tiny animals from the water via bristle- or finger-like gill rakers.
The Lamniformes are a complex and diverse group of sharks
- kingdom, Animalia, multicellular organisms with DNA enclosed within double membrained nucleus that feed on other organisms
- Phylum, Chordata, notochord, dorsal hollow nerve chord, post anal tail and gill pouches.
- Sub Phylum, Verebrata, vertebral column/backbone
- Class, Chondrichthyes, Jawed fish with paired fins and flexible cartilaginous, internal skeleton.
- Order, Lamniformes, Mackerel sharks - upper teeth well differentiated along the jaws forming the so-called "lamnoid dental pattern" which features enlarged anterior teeth slightly to much smaller intermediate teeth, large lateral teeth, followed by much smaller posterior teeth
Order Lamniformes - Mackerel Sharks
There are 7 families:
Family Odontaspididae - Sand Tiger Sharks
Four Species| species in the family Odontaspididae | |
|---|---|
| Carcharias taurus | Sand tiger, spotted raggedtooth, or grey nurse shark |
| Eugomphodus tricuspidatus | Indian sand tiger |
| Odontaspis ferox | Smalltooth sand tiger or bumpytail raggedtooth |
| Odontaspis noronhai | Bigeye sand tiger |
Family Pseudocarchariidae - Crocodile Sharks
One Species| species in family - Pseudocarchariidae | |
|---|---|
| Pseudocarcharias kamoharai | Crocodile shark |
Family Mitsukurinidae - Goblin Sharks
One Species| species in family - Mitsukurinidae | |
|---|---|
| Mitsukurina owstoni | Goblin shark |
Family Megachasmidae - Megamouth Sharks
one species| species in family - Megachasmidae | |
|---|---|
| Megachasma pelagios | Megamouth Shark |
Family Alopiidae - Thresher Sharks
Three Species| species in family -Alopiidae | |
|---|---|
| Alopias pelagicus | Pelagic thresher |
| Alopias superciliosus | Bigeye thresher |
| Alopias vulpinus | Thresher shark |
Family Cetorhinidae - Basking Sharks
One Species| species in family - Cetorhinidae | Basking shark |
|---|
Family LAMNIDAE - Mackerel Sharks
Five Species| species in family - Lamnidae | |
|---|---|
| Carcharodon carcharias | Great white shark |
| Isurus oxyrinchus | Shortfin mako |
| Isurus paucus | Longfin mako |
| Lamna ditropis | Salmon shark |
| Lamna nasus | Probeagle shark |