| Squalidae Temporal range: Upper Cretaceous–Recent [1] |
|
|---|---|
| Spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Squaliformes |
| Family: | Squalidae Blainville, 1816 |
| Genera | |
Squalidae is the family of dogfish sharks. They are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, from tropical equatorial climates to the Arctic and Antarctic.[2]
Dogfishes are small to medium sized sharks, ranging from 48 centimetres (19 in) to 1.6 metres (5.2 ft) in adult body length. They have two dorsal fins, each with smooth spines, but have no anal fin. Their skin is generally rough to the touch.[1] Unlike virtually all other shark species, dogfish possess venom, which coats its dorsal spines and is mildly toxic to humans.
These sharks are characterized by teeth in upper and lower jaws similar in size; caudal peduncle with lateral keels; upper precaudal pit usually present; and a caudal fin without subterminal notch. They are carnivores and prey upon organisms smaller than themselves.
The livers and stomachs of the Squalidae contain the compound squalamine, which possesses the property of reduction of small blood vessel growth in humans.[3]