Galapagos shark

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Galapagos shark
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Carcharhinidae Genus: Carcharhinus Species: C. galapagensis
Binomial name
Carcharhinus galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905)
Range of galapagos shark

The Galapagos shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis, is a species of requiem shark that was first named in 1905 after specimens were found in the seas around the Galapagos Islands.

Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Anatomy and appearance 3 Diet 4 Distribution and habitat 5 Reproduction 6 Relationship to humans 7 References 8 External websites

[edit] Taxonomy

The Galapagos shark was originally described as Carcharinus galapagensis in 1905. Its name was later changed to Carcharias galapagensis. This name was changed yet again later that same year, and it received its currently valid scientific name Carcharhinus galapagensis.

[edit] Anatomy and appearance

The Galapagos shark is dark grey on top with an off-white belly and a black tail edge, it's snout is long and rounded. The Galapagos' Dorsal fin originates over its Pectoral axis, it is also rounded like the Shark's snout, however the tip of the Dorsal fin is angled. Their average length is around 10 ft (3 m). The Galapagos shark can be found in warm tropical waters at depths ranging from 16 to 200 ft (5 to 60 m).

[edit] Diet

They are benthic feeders, meaning they hunt prey from the sea floor, such as fish and octopuses. Adult Galapagos sharks are also cannibalistic, feeding on their own young if encountered.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

Its distribution is widespread but patchy with populations occurring at many widely separated island sites and also in some coastal areas in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. It seems that there is little or no migration between these populations.

[edit] Reproduction

Reproduction is viviparous. Litters can range from 6 to 16 pups.^[1]

[edit] Relationship to humans

It is classed as "Near threatened" because it may be subject to high levels of fishing pressure in many areas of its range.

[edit] References

1. ^ Galapagos shark

• Bennett, M.B., Gordon, I. & Kyne, P.M. (2000). Carcharhinus galapagensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 02 Aug 2006.
• "Carcharhinus galapagensis". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 06 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
• Carcharhinus galapagensis (TSN 160345). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 August 2006.

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[edit] External websites

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/GalapagosShark/Galapagosshark.html