Squalidae
| Dogfish sharks Temporal range: Upper Cretaceous–Recent [1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Selachimorpha |
| Order: | Squaliformes |
| Family: | Squalidae |
| Genera | |
| |
Squalidae, also called dogfish sharks or sometimes spiny dogfishes,[2] are a family of sharks in the order Squaliformes. They have two dorsal fins, each with smooth spines, but no anal fin and their skin is generally rough to the touch.[1] Unlike virtually all other shark species, dogfish sharks possess venom which coats their dorsal spines – this venom 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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2009). "Squalidae" in FishBase. January 2009 version.
- ↑ "Squalidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ National Geographic June 1998
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Squalidae" in FishBase. February 2011 version.
- Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, Sharks of the World, Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2