Atlantic sharpnose shark

Taxobox
name = Atlantic sharpnose shark


image_width = 240px
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
trend =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Carcharhiniformes
familia = Carcharhinidae
genus = "Rhizoprionodon"
species = "R. terraenovae"
binomial = "Rhizoprionodon terraenovae"
binomial_authority = (Richardson, 1836)The Atlantic sharpnose shark, "Rhizoprionodon terraenovae", is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae, found in the subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean between latitudes 43° N and 25° S, at depths of from 10 to 280 m. Its length is up to about 1.1 m.

The Atlantic sharpnose shark is a small, generally grey, streamlined shark, with a long pointed snout. The posterior margin of the anal fin is straight or slightly concave. The second dorsal fin origin is well behind the anal fin origin. It is abundant on the continental shelves, from the intertidal to deeper waters, and often occurs close to the surf zone off sandy beaches, and also enclosed bays, sounds, and harbours, in estuaries and river mouths. It feeds on small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms, molluscs and gastropods. It is viviparous, having 1 to 7 young in a litter, with the size at birth about 29 to 37 cm. It is utilized for human consumption.

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