Subclass Elasmobranchii Scientific name Odontaspis Rank Genus | Higher classification Sand shark | |
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Lower classifications Smalltooth sand tiger, Bigeye sand tiger | ||
Odontaspis ferox malpelo island
Odontaspis is a genus of sand shark with two extant species.
Contents
Odontaspis ferox at san clemente island
Description
Odontaspis species can reach a length of about 3.6 metres (12 ft).
They are large-bodied sharks with long, conical snouts, broad-based dorsal and anal fins, and an asymmetrical caudal fin with a strong lower lobe.
Their teeth are large, with prominent narrow cusps.
They are distinguished from the similar genus Carcharias by the absence of crushing posterior teeth.
These bottom dwelling, deepwater sharks can be found in temperate and tropical waters of all the oceans.
Extant Species
Extinct Species
Extinct species within this genus include:
Fossils of Odontaspis have been found all over the world. These extinct sand sharks lived from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary periods (from 136.4 to 0.012 Ma). Fossils of these fishes have been found worldwide.
