- Catshark
Taxobox
name = Catsharks
image_width = 200px
image_caption =Chain catshark , "Scyliorhinus retifer "
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Chondrichthyes
subclassis =Elasmobranchii
ordo =Carcharhiniformes
familia = Scyliorhinidae
familia_authority = Gill, 1862
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = See text.The cat sharks or catsharks are a family (Scyliorhinidae) ofshark s, with over 110species recorded. Paradoxically perhaps, while the group is called the cat shark family, many species are commonly calleddogfish . Recent DNA analysis have shown this group to be more closely related tobatoids than to other sharks.Cat sharks may be distinguished by their elongated
cat -like eyes and two smalldorsal fin s set far back. Most species are not particularly large, with lengths up to 60 - 70 cm or so, although thehumpback cat shark , "Apristurus gibbosus ", from the deep waters of theSouth China Sea has been recorded at 4 m in length. Most of the species have a patterned appearance, ranging from stripes to patches to spots. They feed oninvertebrate s and smallerfish . Some species are ovoviviparous while most lay eggs in tough egg-cases with curly tendrils at each end known asmermaid's purse s.The "swell sharks" of the
genus "Cephaloscyllium " have the curious ability to fill their stomachs with water or air when threatened, increasing their girth by a factor of 2 or 3.The
Australian marbled catshark , "Atelomycterus macleayi ", is a favored type for home aquaria, because it rarely grows to more than 60 cm (2 ft) in length.Recent
Genera
* "
Apristurus "
* "Asymbolus "
* "Atelomycterus "
* "Aulohalaelurus "
* "Cephaloscyllium "
* "Cephalurus "
* "Galeus "
* "Halaelurus "
* "Haploblepharus "
* "Holohalaelurus "
* "Parmaturus "
* "Pentanchus "
* "Poroderma "
* "Schroederichthys "
* "Scyliorhinus "Cladogram
*Schyliorhinidae
**Caninoa
**Schyliorhininae
**Galeinae
***Pentanchini
***Galeini
****Galeina
****Halelaelurina
**Atelomycterininae
**Schroedericthyinaeee also
*
List of sharks External links
* [http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=10 FishBase entry for Scyliorhinidae]
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Scyliorhinidae.html Animal Diversity Web entry for Scyliorhinidae]
* [http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/haaramo/Metazoa/Deuterostoma/Chordata/Chondrichthyes/Elasmobranchii/Carcharhiniformes/Scyliorhinidae.htm Mikko's Phylogeny Archive - Scyliorhinidae]
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