Finback catsharks | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Superorder: | Selachimorpha |
Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
Family: | Proscylliidae Compagno, 1984 |
Genera | |
See text |
The finback catsharks, Proscylliidae, are a small family of ground sharks. They can be found in warm seas all over the world and are often the most numerous and common shark in tropical regions. They are generally less than 3 ft long, and are slow-moving predators that feed on bony fish and small invertebrates. Although some bear live young, the majority lay eggs with almost fully developed young; these egg cases, known as "mermaid's purses", are unique in appearance to each species.
Genera and species
- Ctenacis Compagno, 1973
- Ctenacis fehlmanni (S. Springer, 1968) (Harlequin catshark)
- Eridacnis H. M. Smith, 1913
- Eridacnis barbouri (Bigelow & Schroeder, 1944) (Cuban ribbontail catshark)
- Eridacnis radcliffei H. M. Smith, 1913 (Pygmy ribbontail catshark)
- Eridacnis sinuans (J. L. B. Smith, 1957) (African ribbontail catshark)
- Proscyllium Hilgendorf, 1904
- Proscyllium habereri Hilgendorf, 1904 (Graceful catshark)
- Proscyllium magnificum Last & Vongpanich, 2004 (Magnificent catshark)
References
External links
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Proscylliidae" in FishBase. February 2011 version.
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