- Carcharhiniformes
image_caption =Blacktip reef shark
"Carcharhinus melanopterus "
regnum =Animal ia
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 ofshark s; they are also called whaler sharks. With over 270 species, carcharhiniforms include a number of common types, such as theblue shark , catsharks, swellsharks, andsandbar shark .Members of the orders are characterized by the presence of a
nictitating membrane over the eye, twodorsal fin s, ananal fin , and fivegill slits.The families of the carcharhiniforms are expected to be revised; recent
DNA studies show that some of the traditional groups are notmonophyletic .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]
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