Shark Species &  
The Familiy Order

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ORDER HEXANCHIFORMES: Sixgill, Sevengill, and Frilled sharks

    This order is the most ancient one. The most distinguishable features is the possession of 6 or 7 gill slits. This is considered a very primitive feature, as most modern sharks posses only 5 gill slits. Compared to sharks of other orders, frilled and cow sharks only have one dorsal fin. These sharks have a widespread distribution and live preferably in deeper waters. The knowledge about their biology is still fragmentary.

ORDER SQUALIFORMES: Dogfish Sharks

    This order represents the second largest order and includes 3 families and about 85 species and their most distinguishing features is the lack of an anal fin. Most species also have a spine in front of the first dorsal fin. The majority are deep water species, and some have luminescent organs. Certain species can reach large sizes for instance the Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus, with 7m. Scientists assume that the most abundant species of all known sharks may be the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, the main species used for "fish & chips".

ORDER PRISTIOPHORIFORMES: Sawsharks

    Saw sharks are very unusual group that is often confused with sawfishes, which are rays. The most obvious difference between the two is that Saw sharks possess barbells and the teeth, located on the prolonged snout, are different sizes. Only five species are known. One species, the Sixgill Sawshark (Pliotrema warreni), possesses 6 gill slits and lives on the south-eastern Cape Coast of South Africa. Not much is known about the general biology of this order.

ORDER SQUATINIFORMES: Angelsharks

    Like Saw sharks, Angel sharks are also often misidentified as rays. The most obvious difference is that Angel sharks possess pectoral fins that are not attached to or connected with the head Angel sharks also possess an enlarged caudal lower lobe but, like Dogfishes, do not possess anal fins. This order includes 13 species, most of them of small size. An exception is the Japanese Angel Shark, Squatina japonica, that reaches 2m. Angel sharks spend most of the day buried in sand ranging from very shallow water to 1300m.

ORDER HETERODONTIFORMES: Bullhead sharks

    There are only 8 known species of Bull sharks, these bizarre looking sharks possess strong spines in front of both dorsal fins. As opposed to the other "spine-wearing" group, the dogfishes, bullheads posses anal fins. As their name implies, their heads look very dominant with big ridges above their eyes, and have a broad snout with very large labial furrows. Based on their heterogeneous teeth (their scientific name "hetro-dontus"  stands for different shaped teeth) they are considered as primitive group. Members of this order live only in waters of the pacific and Indian Oceans.

ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES: Carpetsharks

    This order represents a very diverse group with respects to size and shapes. Carpet sharks have barbells and spiracles, holes located their eyes, to suck in water. This order consist of 5 families with more then 30 species. Assorted members of this group include species such as Whale shark, Nurse sharks and Zebra sharks.

ORDER LAMNIFORMES: Mackerel shark

    Mackerel sharks are a diverse group that lack a singular distinguishing characteristic and a combination of different features is needed such as: Origin of mouth behind the eyes, conical snout, a pair of 5 gill slits, 2 dorsal fins, no nicitiating membrane. Many of the sharks possess a counter current circulatory system. This system enables them to maintain a higher body temperature and live in colder waters. mackerel sharks include the biggest and fastest predators like White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) or Makos (Isurus oxyrinchus). Most Mackerel sharks can raise their body temperature by means of a heat exchange system. There are only 16 species of mackerel sharks, belonging to 7 different families and 10 genera.

ORDER CARCHARHINIFORMES: Ground sharks

    More then half of all know shark species are Ground Sharks. This order represents the most typical sharks, such as Grey Reef shark, Charcharhinus amblyrhynchos, and the Blue Shark, Prionace glausa. Their distinguishing features are a nicitating membrane (a flap of skin that functions as a third eye lid), 2 dorsal fins, an anal fin and five gill slits. Most of these sharks are found in tropical temperate waters.