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Ground Sharks. Order Carcharhiniformes
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Ground Sharks. Order Carcharhiniformes
Comparison-ground-shark-families
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Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Illustration: R. Aidan Martin
The Ground Sharks are the largest of shark orders with 277 currently identified species and includes many of the most 'typical' sharks as well as some unusual ones. Within the Ground Sharks are several of the better known sharks, as well a few of the more potentially dangerous ones. Ground Sharks include Bull Sharks, Hammerheads, Blacktip, and Catsharks.

While some of the Shark orders show great diversity as well as highly specialized characteristics, Ground Sharks enjoy more commonality within their order. They tend to be generally adapted, able to flourish in a broad array of habitats and enjoy a wide range of prey. Recent DNA evidence is showing that species of some of the Ground Shark families did not evolve from common ancestors, suggesting that there will be upcoming revisions to how certain species are classified.

Click to view gallery:

Cat Sharks, Family Scyliorhinidae, and Smoothhound Sharks, Family Triakidae
Whaler Sharks,
Family Carcharhinidae

Hammerhead Sharks
Family Sphyrnidae

Characteristics of Ground Sharks

# of Species
277
Body shape
Despite diversity, there is much consistency among Ground Sharks. Rounded bodies. Many species are slender and also small, between 2-3 feet, while others are up to 10 feet. Hammerheads have the distinctive flattening of the head.
Mouth position
Underneath
Anal fin
Yes
Dorsal Fin
2
Fin spines
No
# of Gill slits
5
Reproduction
Variable: either oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous (see glossary for definitions)
Unique qualities
Eyes have 'nictitating' membranes, or lower eyelids which are closeable to some degree.
Habitat
Ground Sharks are 'generalists', with broad range of habitat. Cover most marine habitats depending on species, from estuaries areas, coastal, open ocean, and even in some cases freshwater. Found in temperate to tropical zones of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Food
Broad range of prey, including fish, including other sharks, rays, squid and sea snakes.


Comparison of the Ground Shark Families

Family
Cat Sharks
Finback Cat Sharks
False Catsharks
Barbeled Houndshark
Smoothhound Sharks
Weasel Sharks
Whaler Sharks
Hammerhead Sharks
Scyliorhinidae
Proscylliidae
Pseudotriakidae
Leptochariidae
Triakidae
Hemigaleidae
Carcharhinidae
Sphyrnidae
# of species
150
5
4
1
47
8
54
8
Body
Generally small--3 feet. Cat-like eyes with rudimentary nictitating membrane. First dorsal behind pelvic fins.
Small, 6 to 7.6 inches, although pups can be 4 inches at birth.
To 10 feet, slender. First dorsal fin is long and low. Soft, dark-brown body. Eyes appear to squint, nictating membranes. Ovoviviparous.
Small, slender, to 2.5 feet. internal nictitating eyelids. Nostrils have thin barbels. Light grey or grey-brown shark. Dorsal fins of equal size. Viviparous.
Slender body, small to moderate-sized sharks up to 6.5 feet. Long, pointed snout and long, angular mouth. Otherwise, similar to Whaler Sharks.
Small to medium sized, similar in form to Whaler Sharks.
Most 'typical of shark form. Solid build. Size range from 3 to 10 ft. Eyes with nictitating membranes. All but Tiger Sharks are viviparous with placenta
Flattened, hammer-like extensions on head, with eyes at ends. Body moderatey slender.
Food
Small fish, invertebrates
Small fish, invertebrates
Fish
Crustaceans, small fish
Crustaceans, cephalopods, and fish.
Small fish, cephalopods, crustaceans
Fish, eels, other sharks, skates, squid, crustaceans
Mostly bony fish, squid.
Habitat

Well dispersed world-wide, from shallow tropical to arctic. Especially African & Australian seas. Deep water to 6,600 feet.
Tropical to warm temperate waters. Moderately deep to 2,300 feet.
Deep water 660 to 4,900 feet. Bottom dwelling. All oceans.
Tropical ,West African continental shelf, 70 to 230 feet near river mouths, muddy bottoms.
Tropical and temperate seas. Cose to the bottom, ranging from coastal shallows to 6,500 feet with some species.
Coastal tropical eastern Atlantic and continental Indo-West Pacific. Depths from shallow to 320 feet,
Worldwide, warm and temperate oceans.
Warm temperate & tropical oceans over continental shelves. To 900 feet.


Species of Ground Sharks, Order Carcharhiniformes page 1 of 3

Red indicates inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

Species
Common name
Family Scyliorhinidae - Cat Sharks - 150 species
Genus Apristurus
Apristurus acanutus
Flatnose Catshark
Apristurus albisoma
White-bodied Catshark
Apristurus aphyodes
White Ghost Catshark
Apristurus atlanticus
Atlantic Ghost Catshark
Apristurus brunneus
Brown Catshark
Apristurus canutus
Hoary Catshark
Apristurus exsanguis
Deepwater Catshark, Pale Catshark
Apristurus federovi
Stout Catshark
Apristurus gibbosus
Humpback Catshark
Apristurus herklotsi
Longfin Catshark
Apristurus indicus
Smallbelly Catshark
Apristurus internatus
Shortnose Demon Catshark
Apristurus investigatoris
Broadnose Catshark
Apristurus japonicus
Japanese Catshark
Apristurus kampae
Longnose Catshark
Apristurus laurussoni
Iceland Catshark
Apristurus longicephalus
Longhead Catshark
Apristurus macrorhynchus
Flathead Catshark
Apristurus macrostomus
Broadmouth Catshark
Apristurus manis
Ghost Catshark
Apristurus microps
Smalleye Catshark
Apristurus micropterygeus
Smalldorsal Catshark
Apristurus nasutus
Largenose Catshark
Apristurus parvipinnis
Smallfin Catshark
Apristurus pinguis
Fat Catshark
Apristurus platyrhynchus
Spatulasnout Catshark
Apristurus profundorum
Deepwater Catshark
Apristurus riveri
Broadgill Catshark
Apristurus saldanha
Saldanha Catshark
Apristurus sibogae
Pale Catshark
Apristurus sinensis
South China Catshark
Apristurus spongiceps
Spongehead Catshark
Apristurus stenseni
Panama Ghost Catshark
Apristurus verweyi
Borneo Catshark
Apristurus sp. A
Freckled Catshark
Apristurus sp. B
Bigfin Catshark
Apristurus sp. C
Fleshynose Catshark
Apristurus sp. D
Roughskin Catshark
Apristurus sp. E
Bulldog Catshark
Apristurus sp. F
Bighead Catshark
Apristurus sp. G
Pinocchio Catshark
Apristurus sp.
(Philippines)
Apristurus sp.
(Indonesia)
Apristurus sp.
White-edged Catshark (California)
Apristurus sp.
Black Wonder Catshark (Southern Africa)
Apristurus sp.
Grey Ghost Catshark (Melville Ridge)
Genus Asymbolus
Asymbolus analis
Grey Spotted Catshark
Asymbolus funebris
Blotched Catshark
Asymbolus occiduus
Western Spotted Catshark
Asymbolus pallidus
Pale Spotted Catshark
Asymbolus parvus
Dwarf Catshark
Asymbolus rubiginosus
Orange Spotted Catshark
Asymbolus submaculatus
Variegated Catshark
Asymbolus vincenti
Gulf Catshark
Asymbolus sp.
New Caledonia Spotted Catshark
Genus Atelomycterus
Atelomycterus fasciatus
Banded Sand Catshark
Atelomycterus macleayi
Australian Marbled Catshark
Atelomycterus marmoratus
Coral Catshark
Atelomycterus sp. A
Whitespotted Sand Catshark
Genus Aulohalaelurus
Aulohalaelurus kanakorum
New Caledonia Catshark
Aulohalaelurus labiosus
Blackspotted Catshark
Genus Bythaelurus
Bythaelurus alcocki
Arabian Catshark
Bythaelurus canescens
Dusky Catshark
Bythaelurus cleavi
Broadhead Catshark
Bythaelurus dawsoni
New Zealand Catshark
Bythaelurus hispidus
Bristly Catshark
Bythaelurus immaculatus
Spotless Catshark
Bythaelurus lutarius
Mud Catshark
Bythaelurus [=Halaelurus] sp. A
Sombre Catshark
Bythaelurus sp.
Galapagos Catshark
Genus Cephaloscyllium
Cephaloscyllium fasciatum
Reticulated Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium isabellum
Draughtsboard Shark
Cephaloscyllium laticeps
Australian Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium silasi
Indian Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sufflans
Balloon Shark
Cephaloscyllium umbratile
Japanese Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium ventriosum
Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp. A
Whitefin Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp. B
Saddled Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp. C
Northern Draghtsboard Shark
Cephaloscyllium sp. D
Narrowbar Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp. E
Speckled Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
New Guinea Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
Dwarf Oriental Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
Dwarf Balloon Shark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
New Caledonia Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
Red Sea Swellshark
Cephaloscyllium sp.
Philippines Swellshark
Genus Cephalurus
Cephalurus cephalus
Lollipop Catshark
Genus Galeus
Galeus antillensis
Antilles Catshark
Galeus arae
Roughtail Catshark
Galeus atlanticus
Atlantic Sawtail Catshark
Galeus boardmani
Australian Sawtail Catshark
Galeus cadenati
Longfin Sawtail Catshark
Galeus eastmani
Gecko Catshark
Galeus gracillis
Slender Sawtail Catshark
Galeus longirostris
Longnose Sawtail Catshark
Galeus melastomus
Blackmouth Catshark
Galeus minocaronei
Southern Sawtail Catshark
Galeus murinus
Mouse Catshark
Galeus nipponensis
Broadfin Sawtail Catshark
Galeus piperatus
Peppered Catshark
Galeus polli
African Sawtail Catshark
Galeus sauteri
Blacktip Sawtail Catshark
Galeus schultzi
Dwarf Sawtail Catshark
Galeus springeri
Springer's Sawtail Catshark
Galeus sp. B
Northern Sawtail Catshark
Galeus sp.
Indonesian Sawtail Catshark
Galeus sp.
Philippines Sawtail Catshark
Genus Halaelurus
Halaelurus boesemani
Speckled Catshark
Halaelurus buergeri
Darkspot Catshark
Halaelurus lineatus
Lined Catshark
Halaelurus natalensis
Tiger Catshark
Halaelurus quagga
Quagga Catshark
Genus Haploblepharus
Haploblepharus edwardsii
Puffadder Shyshark
Haploblepharus fuscus
Brown Shyshark
Haploblepharus pictus
Dark Shyshark
Haploblepharus kistnasamyi
Natal Shyshark
Genus Holohalaelurus
Holohalaelurus melanostigma
Tropical Izak Catshark
Holohalaelurus punctatus
African Spotted Catshark
Holohalaelurus regani
Izak Catshark
Holohalaelurus sp.
East African Spotted Catshark
Genus Parmaturus
Parmaturus campechiensis
Campeche Catshark
Parmaturus macmillani
New Zealand Filetail
Parmaturus melanobranchius
Blackgill Catshark
Parmaturus pilosus
Salamander Catshark
Parmaturus xaniurus
Filetail Catshark
Parmaturus sp. A
Shorttail Catshark
Parmaturus sp.
Indonesian Filetail Catshark
Parmaturus sp.
Gulf of Mexico Filetail
Genus Pentanchus
Pentanchus profundicolus
Onefin Catshark
Genus Poroderma
Poroderma africanum
Striped (Pyjama) Catshark
Poroderma pantherinum
Leopard Catshark
Genus Schroederichthys
Schroederichthys bivius
Narrowmouth Catshark
Schroederichthys chilensis
Redspotted Catshark
Schroederichthys maculatus
Narrowtail Catshark
Schroederichthys saurisqualus
Lizard Catshark
Schroederichthys tenuis
Slender Catshark
Genus Scyliorhinus
Scyliorhinus besnardi
Polkadot Catshark
Scyliorhinus boa
Boa Catshark
Scyliorhinus canicula
Smallspotted Catshark
Scyliorhinus capensisus
Yellowspotted Catshark
Scyliorhinus cervigoni
West African Catshark
Scyliorhinus comoroensis
Comoro Catshark
Scyliorhinus garmani
Brownspotted Catshark
Scyliorhinus haeckelii
Freckled Catshark
Scyliorhinus hesperius
Whitesaddled Catshark
Scyliorhinus meadi
Blotched Catshark
Scyliorhinus retifer
Chain Catshark
Scyliorhinus stellaris
Nursehound
Scyliorhinus tokubee
Izu Catshark
Scyliorhinus torazame
Cloudy Catshark
Scyliorhinus torrei
Dwarf Catshark

Species of Ground Sharks, page 2 of 3

Red indicates inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

Species
Common name
Family Proscylliidae - Finback Cat Sharks - 5 species
Genus Ctenacis
Ctenacis fehlmanni
Harlequin Catshark
Genus Eridacnis
Eridacnis barbouri
Cuban Ribbontail Catshark
Eridacnis radcliffei
Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark
Eridacnis sinuans
African Ribbontail Catshark
Genus Proscyllium
Proscyllium habereri
Graceful Catshark
Family Pseudotriakidae - False Catsharks - 4 species
Genus Gollum
Gollum attenuatus
Slender Smoothhound
Gollum sp.
Philippine Slender Smoothhound
Genus Pseudotriakis
Pseudotriakis microdon
False Catshark
New Genus [Unnamed]
[New genus] [new species]
Pygmy False Catshark
Family Leptochariidae - Houndshark - 1 species
Genus Leptocharias
Leptocharias smithii
Barbelled Houdshark
Family Triakidae - Smoothhound Sharks - 47 species
Genus Furgaleus
Furgaleus macki
Whiskery Shark
Genus Galeorhinus
Galeorhinus galeus
Liver Oil Shark
Genus Gogolia
Gogolia filewoodi
Sailback Houndshark
Genus Hemitriakis
Hemitriakis abdita
Deepwater Sicklefin Houndshark
Hemitriakis complicofasciata
Ocellate Topeshark
Hemitriakis japanica
Japanese Topeshark
Hemitriakis falcata
Sicklefin Smoothhound
Hemitriakis leucoperiptera
Whitefin Topeshark
Hemitriakis sp.
Philippine Ocellate Topeshark
Genus Hypogaleus
Hypogaleus hyugaensis
Blacktip Topeshark
Genus Iago
Iago garricki
Longnose Houndshark
Iago omanensis
Bigeye Houndshark
Iago sp.
Lowfin Houndshark
Iago sp.
Bengal Smalltail Houndshark
Genus Mustelus
Mustelus antarcticus
Gummy Shark
Mustelus asterias
Starry Smoothhound
Mustelus californicus
Grey Smoothhound
Mustelus canis
Dusky Smoothhound
Mustelus dorsalis
Sharpnose Smoothhound
Mustelus fasciatus
Striped Smoothhound
Mustelus griseus
Spotless Smoothound
Mustelus henlei
Brown Smoothhound
Mustelus higmani
Smalleye Smoothhound
Mustelus lenticulatus
Spotted Estuary Smoothound
Mustelus lunulatus
Sicklefin Smoothhound
Mustelus manazo
Starspotted Smoothhound
Mustelus mento
Speckled Smoothound
Mustelus minicanis
Venezuelan Dwarf Smoothhound
Mustelus mosis
Arabian Smoothhound
Mustelus mustelus
Smoothhound
Mustelus norrisi
Narrowfin Smoothhound
Mustelus palumbes
Whitespot Smoothhound
Mustelus punctulatus
Blackspot Smoothhound
Mustelus schmitti
Narrownose Smoothhound
Mustelus sinusmexicanus
Gulf of Mexico Smoothhound
Mustelus whitneyi
Humpback Smoothhound
Mustelus ravidus (Mustelus sp. A)
Grey Gummy Shark
Mustelus sp. B
Whitespotted Gummy Shark
Mustelus sp.
Broadnose Smoothhound
Mustelus sp.
Pacific Narrownose Smoothhound
Mustelus sp. cf. manazo
New Caledonia Smoothhound
Genus Scylliogaleus
Scylliogaleus quecketti
Flapnose Houndshark
Genus Triakis
Triakis acutipinna
Sharpfin Houndshark
Triakis maculata
Spotted Houndshark
Triakis megalopterus
Spotted Gully Shark
Triakis scyllium
Banded Houndshark
Triakis semifasciata
Leopard Shark

Species of Ground Sharks, page 3 of 3

Red indicates inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

Species
Common name
Family Hemigaleidae - Weasel Sharks -8 species
Genus Chaenogaleus
Chaenogaleus macrostoma
Hooktooth Shark
Genus Hemigaleus
Hemigaleus australiensis
Australian Weasel Shark
Hemigaleus microstoma
Sicklefin Weasel Shark
Hemipristis elongatus
Snaggletooth Shark
Genus Paragaleus
Paragaleus leucolomatus
Whitetip Weasel Shark
Paragaleus pectoralis
Atlantic Weasel Shark
Paragaleus randalli
Slender Weasel Shark
Paragaleus tengi
Straighttooth Weasel Shark
Family Carcharhinidae - Whaler Sharks - 54 species
Genus Carcharhinus
Carcharhinus acronotus
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
Silvertip Shark
Carcharhinus altimus
Bignose Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides
Graceful Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Grey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amboinensis
Java Shark
Carcharhinus borneensis
Borneo Shark
Carcharhinus brachyurus
Bronze Whaler
Carcharhinus brevipinna
Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus cautus
Nervous Shark
Carcharhinus dussumieri
Whitecheek Shark
Carcharhinus falciformis
Silky Shark
Carcharhinus fitzroyensis
Creek Whaler
Carcharhinus galapagensis
Galapagos Shark
Carcharhinus hemiodon
Pondicherry Shark
Carcharhinus isodon
Finetooth Shark
Carcharhinus leiodon
Smoothhound Blacktip
Carcharhinus leucas
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Carcharhinus macloti
Hardnose Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus obscurus
Dusky Shark
Carcharhinus perezi
Caribbean Reef Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus porosus
Smalltail Shark
Carcharhinus sealei
Blackspot Shark
Carcharhinus signatus
Night Shark
Carcharhinus sorrah
Spottail Shark
Carcharhinus tilstoni
Australian Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus sp.
False Smalltail Shark
Genus Galeocerdo
Galeocerdo cuvier
Tiger Shark
Genus Glyphis
Glyphis gangeticus
Ganges Shark
Glyphis glyphis
Speartooth Shark
Glyphis siamensis
Irrawaddy River Shark
Glyphis sp. A
Bizant River Shark
Glyphis sp. B
Borneo River Shark
Glyphis sp. C
New Guinea River Shark
Genus Isogomphodon
Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus
Daggernose Shark
Genus Lamiopsis
Lamiopsis temmincki
Broadfin Shark
Genus Loxodon
Loxodon macrorhinus
Sliteye Shark
Genus Nasolamia
Nasolamia velox
Whitenose Shark
Genus Negaprion
Negaprion acutidens
Shapptooth Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
Lemon Shark
Genus Prionace
Prionace glauca
Blue Shark
Genus Rhizoprionodon
Rhizoprionodon acutus
Milk Shark, White-eyed Shark
Rhizoprionodon lalandi
Brazilian Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon longuirio
Pacific Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon oligolinx
Grey Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon porosus
Caribbean Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon taylori
Australian Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Genus Scoliodon
Scoliodon laticaudus
Spadenose Shark
Genus Triaenodon
Triaenodon obesus
Whitetip Reef Shark
Family Sphyrnidae - Hammerhead Sharks -8 species
Genus Eusphyra
Eusphyra blochii
Winghead Shark
Genus Sphyrna
Sphyrna corona
Mallethead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna media
Scoophead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
Great Hammerhead
Sphyrna tiburo
Bonnethead Shark
Sphyrna tudes
Smalleye Hammerhead
Sphyrna zygaena
Smooth Hammerhead