Hexanchus

Hexanchus Temporal range: 196–0Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Sinemurian to Present[1]
Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Superorder:	Selachimorpha
Order:	Hexanchiformes
Family:	Hexanchidae
Genus:	Hexanchus Rafinesque, 1810
Species
See text.

The sixgill sharks, Hexanchus, are a genus of deepwater sharks in the family Hexanchidae. These sharks are characterized by broad pointed heads, six pairs of gill slits, comb-like, yellow lower teeth, and a long tail. It can grow up to 5 m (18 ft) long and weigh over 600 kg (1320 lb).^[2] They are abyssal plain scavengers with a keen sense of smell and are among the first to arrive at carrion, together with hagfish and rattails. They show a characteristic rolling motion of the head when feeding. They have been found at depths of up to 2,500 feet (760 m).

Extant Species

• Hexanchus griseus Bonnaterre, 1788 (Bluntnose sixgill shark)
• Hexanchus nakamurai Teng, 1962 (Bigeyed sixgill shark)

See also

• Shark teeth
• List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish genera

References

1. ↑ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Chondrichthyes entry)". Bulletins of American Paleontology 364: p.560. Retrieved 2008-01-09. 
2. ↑ Kindersley, Dorling (2001,2005). Animal. New York City: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.  Check date values in: |date= (help)

• "Hexanchus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006. 

External links

• Large specimen filmed at 1,000 m depth