Carcharhiniformes

Taxobox
name = Ground sharks

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image_caption = Blacktip reef shark
"Carcharhinus melanopterus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Carcharhiniformes
ordo_authority = Compagno, 1977
subdivision_ranks = Families
subdivision = See text.The ground sharks, order Carcharhiniformes, are the largest order of sharks; they are also called whaler sharks. With over 270 species, carcharhiniforms include a number of common types, such as the blue shark, catsharks, swellsharks, and sandbar shark.

Members of the orders are characterized by the presence of a nictitating membrane over the eye, two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five gill slits.

The families of the carcharhiniforms are expected to be revised; recent DNA studies show that some of the traditional groups are not monophyletic.

Families

* Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
* Hemigaleidae (weasel sharks)
* Leptochariidae (barbeled houndshark)
* Proscylliidae (finback cat sharks)
* Pseudotriakidae (false cat shark)
* Scyliorhinidae (cat sharks)
* Sphyrnidae (hammerhead sharks)
* Triakidae (hound sharks)

Taxonomy

*List of species of the order Carcharhiniformes

External links

* [http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/carcharhiniformes.htm Order Carcharhiniformes]