|
Page 1 of 2
Dogfish sharks are the second largest of shark orders with 128 species. Dogfish are highly diverse. They include:
Dwarf Lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi)
|
Cookie-cutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)
|
| Smallest of all known sharks at 6 inches |
Seduces its prey bioluminescence;
then scoops out a chunk of its flesh |
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
|
Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
|
| Largest dogshark at 21 feet. |
Relatively abundant, but vulnerable to extinction because it of over-exploitation, low protection, and low reproductive capability. |
Caribbean Roughshark (Oxynotus caribbaeus
|
Click below to view gallery:
|
| Unusual-looking, highly pronounced dorsal fins, plush-appearing body
llustrations by R. Aidan Martin
|
|
Characteristics of the Dogfish Sharks
|
# of Species
|
119
|
|
Body shape
|
Rounded; varied according to species
|
|
Mouth position
|
Underneath
|
|
Anal fin
|
No
|
|
Dorsal Fin
|
2
|
|
Fin spines
|
Yes
|
|
# of Gill slits
|
5
|
|
Reproduction
|
Ovoviviparous (eggs develop in the mother’s body and are born alive).
|
|
Unique qualities
|
Many bioluminescent
|
|
Habitat
|
Marine; most species bottom oriented. Widely diversified and wide-ranging, dogfish sharks are in coastal and oceanic waters, from cool temperate to deep tropical waters
|
|
Food
|
Diverse as are the species. Range from boney fishes, crustacea, to marine mammals
|
Comparison of the Families of Dogfish Sharks
|
Family
|
Dogfish
|
Gulper
|
Lantern
|
Angular
Roughshark
|
Sleeper
|
Kitefin
|
|
Squalidae
|
Centrophoridae
|
Etmopteridae
|
Oxynotidae
|
Somniosidae
|
Dalatiidae
|
|
# of species
|
20
|
15
|
51
|
5
|
18
|
10
|
|
Dorsal fin
|
smooth spine
|
grooved spine
|
very high dorsal
|
deeply imbedded spine
|
small dorsals, grooved spines
|
small dorsals, no spine
|
|
Unusual qualities
|
upper & lower teeth equal size
|
lower teeth noticably larger than upper
|
luminous patterns
|
body high, triangular; rough, large dentricles
|
mall pectoral, pelvic, and dorsal fins
|
large eyes
|
|
Includes
|
Spiny dogfish, Mandarin dogfish
|
Gulper, Birdbeak dogfish
|
Lantern sharks
|
Roughsharks
|
Portuguese, Sleeper shark
|
Kitefin, Cookie-cutter, Pygmy
|
|
