Leaf scale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus) is found in the oceans near the Old World, and it appears absent from the areas adjacent to North and South America. Although found near Madagascar, it appears absent from the rest of the Indian Ocean. In the Old world, it is found from Japan in disjointed ranges south to New Zealand, and in disjointed ranges from Europe to South Africa. Although this shark is mature at about 3 feet in length, this shark has reached 64 inches in length. There are leading spines to the two widely separated dorsal fins. This shark has been collected at depths of at least 4,000 feet in wsaters that were over 2 miles deep.

Gulper shark family (Centrophoridae) contains about 16 species of deep water bottom dwelling sharks. Most species are less than 3 feet long, but one species, Centrophorus niaukang, can reach 68 inches. These sharks have widely separated dorsal fins and distinctive asymetrical tails with the upper half being longer. With increased deep water fishing, experts are concerned about the long term viability of these slow reproducing species.

The dogfish shark order (Squaliformes) contains 7 different families. The famlies and their species count estimates are as follows:

Echinorhinidae - Bramble sharks - 2 species
Squalidae - Dogfish sharks - 16 species
Centrophoridae - Gulper sharks - 14 species
Etmopteridae - Lantern sharks - 41 species
Somniosidae - Sleeper sharks - 18 species
Oxynotidae - Rough sharks - 5 soecues
Dalatiidae - Kitefin sharks - 10 species

Sharks and rays (Elasmobranchi), cartilaginous fishes, deserve to be a class separate from the normal fish, in that they do not have a bone skeleton but rather a cartilage skeleton.

Fertilization is internal in this class which also separates them from the bony fish class. Although there are a few fresh water species, the majority of the species in this class are found in salt water. As of 2005, there were about 500 known species of sharks and about 600 known species of rays.

David Ebert, author of a recent book on sharks, rays, and chimaeras of California, counts a total of 988 described species in the class with about 150 additional species awaiting scientific description. He breaks down the described species to 410 species of sharks, 543 species of rays, and 35 species of chimaeras.

Many species of sharks face an uncertain future, as the Chinese purchase shark fins to make shark fin soup. It was estimated that 100 milllion sharks are killed each year for this purpose. However, recent estimates indicate the Chinese are reducing their consumption of this exotic soup.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

NEW SEARCH