Lamna

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Mackerel sharks[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order: Lamniformes Family: Lamnidae Genus: Lamna Cuvier, 1816
Species
Lamna ditropis Lamna nasus

Mackerel sharks (Lamna) are a genus of shark.

[edit] Endothermic ability

The two species of this genus can keep their blood temperature higher above that of the water surrounding them than other cartilaginous fish, with temperature differences recorded up to 15.6 °C.^[2][3][4] Among fish, blood temperature regulation only occurs in large, fast species – bluefin tuna and swordfish are bony fish with similar abilities.

[edit] Species

The genus contains two species:^[5]

• Porbeagle, Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre, 1788)
  Occurs in Atlantic and Southern Pacific coastal areas and open waters.
• Salmon shark, Lamna ditropis (Hubbs & Follett, 1947)
  Occurs near Northern Pacific coasts.

[edit] References

1. ^ TSN 506801. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 11 January 2007.
2. ^ Abstract for S. D. Anderson, K. J. Goldman: “Temperature Measurements from Salmon Sharks, Lamna ditropis, in Alaskan Waters”, Copeia, Vol. 2001, No. 3, 2001-08-06]
3. ^ Salmon shark, Lamna ditropis MarineBio"
4. ^ C. Larsen, H. Malte, R. E. Weber: “ATP-induced Reverse Temperature Effect in Isohemoglobins from the Endothermic Porbeagle Shark”, Journal of Biological Chemistry vol. 278, issue 33, 30741–30747, 2003-08-15]
5. ^ "Lamna". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 01 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.