Checklist of Living Sharks

(Revised 1 January 2007)

I am frequently asked to provide shark enthusiasts an up-to-date list of known shark species. Such requests typically come from people who are convinced that there must be an internationally agreed-upon list of all known species by their correct scientific names, arranged in standard taxonomic groups, such as genus, family, and order. Regrettably, no such list exists and, with the best of current data, it is not possible to construct such a list with any certainty.

New phylogenetic approaches and tools — including, in particular, molecular genetics — are revolutionizing shark classification. But it is far from clear what these new data mean and how to rectify them with data from more traditional phylogenetic approaches, such as hard and soft tissue morphology. New evidence germane to shark classification pours in almost daily from paleontology, embryology, comparative physiology, zoogeography, and other scientific disciplines. But, rather than clarifying shark interrelationships, these data often make matters even more ambiguous.

What follows is my best attempt to classify all known extant shark species, both formally described and as-yet undescribed, in a way that seems to reflect their probable evolutionary relatedness. Although much of this list agrees well with recently published lists (see, for example, "Checklist of Living Chondrichthyan Fishes" by Leonard J.V. Compagno, pp 401-423 in Sarah L. Fowler et al. [eds.], Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras: the Status of the Chondrichthyan Fishes. IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group, Gland, 2005), it does differ in several important respects. This is very much a work in progress.

I am reasonably confident about the arrangement within the Squalea and most of the Galea, except for parts of the order Carcharhiniformes. A few of the more problematical areas are:

  1. the large deep-sea genus Apristurus (family Scyliorhinidae) is in dire need of systematic revision (there may be as many as 48 valid species or as few as 25),

  2. placement of Scoliodon remains uncertain (it is clearly allied with Rhizoprionodon and the hammerheads, family Sphyrnidae, but exactly how this poorly-known shark is related is difficult to determine),
  3. placement of Isogomphodon and Triaenodon are difficult because each of these monotypic genera feature a very odd combination of characters, and
  4. the family Carcharhinidae (as listed here) is perhaps the most complex and contentious group, especially those traditionally lumped within the genus Carcharhinus. If Prionace and Negaprion are valid genera, Carcharhinus is clearly polyphyletic. But how that genus should be sub-divided remains an open question which I am presently investigating with a colleague, geneticist Mahmood Shivji, of Nova Southeastern University.

I am by inclination a "lumper", preferring to classify creatures into the smallest number of groups that adequately reflects their evolutionary diversity. Despite this inclination, in many cases here it seemed best to provisionally split difficult or contentious taxa from more clearly defined groups. I hope that, eventually, these artificially separated groups can be re-inserted in their proper phylogenetic position and the total number of shark taxa can be significantly reduced. Until then, it is best to regard this list as highly provisional. If you want a more conservative list and don't mind one that's a little out-of-date, I would recommend the aforementioned checklist by Compagno.

Order Chlamydoselachiformes - Frilled Shark

Family Chlamydoselachidae - Frilled Shark

Genus Chlamydoselachus

Chlamydoselachus anguineus

Garman

1884

Frilled Shark

Chlamydoselachus sp. A

Ebert & Compagno

 

Southern African Frilled Shark

Order Hexanchiformes - Cow Sharks

Family Hexanchidae - Cow Sharks

Genus Heptranchias

Heptranchias perlo

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Sharpnose Sevengill Shark

 

Genus Hexanchus

Hexanchus griseus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Hexanchus nakamurai

Teng

1962

Bigeye Sixgill Shark

 

Genus Notorynchus

Notorynchus cepedianus

(Peron)

1807

Broadnose Sevengill Shark

 

Order Echinorhiniformes - Bramble Sharks

Family Echinorhinidae - Bramble Sharks

Genus Echinorhinus

Echinorhinus brucus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Bramble Shark

Echinorhinus cookei

Pietschmann

1928

Prickly Shark

 

Order Squaliformes - Dogfish Sharks

Family Squalidae - Dogfish Sharks

Genus Cirrhigaleus

Cirrhigaleus asper

(Merrett)

1973

Roughskin Spurdog

Cirrhigaleus barbifer

Tanaka

1912

Mandarin Dogfish

 

Genus Squalus

Squalus acanthias

Linnaeus

1758

Spiny Dogfish

Squalus blainvillei?

(Risso)

1826

Longnose Spurdog

Squalus brevirostris

Tanaka

1912

Japanese Shortnose Spurdog

Squalus cubensis

Howell-Rivero

1936

Cuban Dogfish

Squalus japonicus

Ishikawa

1908

Japanese Spurdog

Squalus lalannei

Baranes

2003

Seychelles Spurdog

Squalus megalops

Macleay

1881

Shortnose Spurdog

Squalus melanurus

Fourmanoir

1979

Blacktail Spurdog

Squalus mitsukurii

Jordan & Snyder

1903

Shortspine Spurdog

Squalus probatovi

Myagkov & Kondyurin

1986

Angola Dogfish

Squalus rancureli

Fourmanoir

1978

Cyrano Spurdog

Squalus sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Bartail Spurdog

Squalus sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Eastern Highfin Spurdog

Squalus sp. C

Last & Stevens

1994

Western Highfin Spurdog

Squalus sp. D

Last & Stevens

1994

Fatspine Spurdog

Squalus sp. E

Last & Stevens

1994

Western Longnose Spurdog

Squalus sp. F

Last & Stevens

1994

Eastern Longnose Spurdog

Squalus sp. G

Last & Compagno

in prep.

Philippines Longnose Spurdog

 

Family Centrophoridae - Gulper Sharks

Genus Centrophorus

Centrophorus acus

Garman

1913

Needle Dogfish

Centrophorus atromarginatus

(Bloch & Schneider)

1801

Gulper Shark

Centrophorus harrissoni

McCulloch

1915

Longnose Gulper Shark

Centrophorus isodon

Chu, Meng & Liu

1981

Blackfin Gulper Shark

Centrophorus lusitanicus

Bocage & Capello

1864

Lowfin Gulper Shark

Centrophorus moluccensis

Bleeker

1860

Smallfin Gulper Shark

Centrophorus niaukang

Teng

1959

Taiwan Gulper Shark

Centrophorus sechellorum

Baranes

2003

Seychelles Gulper Shark

Centrophorus squamosus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Leafscale Gulper Shark

Centrophorus tessellatus

Garman

1906

Mosaic Gulper Shark

Centrophorus sp. A

Séret

in prep.

New Caledonian Gulper Shark

 

Genus Deania

Deania calcea

(Lowe)

1839

Birdbeak Dogfish

Deania hystricosum

(Garman)

1906

Rough Longnose Dogfish

Deania profundorum

(Smith & Radcliffe)

1912

Arrowhead Dogfish

Deania quadrispinosum

(McCulloch)

1915

Longsnout Dogfish

 

Family Etmopteridae - Lantern Sharks

Genus Aculeola

Aculeola nigra

de Buen

1959

Hooktooth Dogfish

 

Genus Centroscyllium

Centroscyllium excelsum

Shirai & Nakaya

1990

Highfin Dogfish

Centroscyllium fabricii

(Reinhardt)

1825

Black Dogfish

Centroscyllium granulatum

Günther

1887

Granular Dogfish

Centroscyllium kamoharai

Abe

1966

Bareskin Dogfish

Centroscyllium nigrum

Garman

1899

Combtooth Dogfish

Centroscyllium ornatum

(Alcock)

1889

Ornate Dogfish

Centroscyllium ritteri

Jordan & Fowler

1903

Whitefin Dogfish

 

Genus Etmopterus

Etmopterus baxteri

Garrick

1957

New Zealand Lanternshark

Etmopterus bigelowi

Shirai & Tachikawa

1993

Blurred Smooth Lanternshark

Etmopterus brachyurus

Smith & Radcliffe

1912

Shorttail Lanternshark

Etmopterus bullisi

Bigelow & Schroeder

1957

Lined Lanternshark

Etmopterus burgessi

Schaaf-da Silva & Ebert

2006

Taiwan Lanternshark

Etmopterus carteri

Springer & Burgess

1985

Cylindrical Lanternshark

Etmopterus caudistigmus

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

Tailspot Lanternshark

Etmopterus compagnoi

Frike & Koch

1990

Brown Lanternshark

Etmopterus decacuspidatus

Chan

1966

Combtooth Lanternshark

Etmopterus dianthus

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

Pink Lanternshark

Etmopterus dislineatus

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

Lined Lanternshark

Etmopterus evansi

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

Blackmouth Lanternshark

Etmopterus fuscus

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

Pygmy Lanternshark

Etmopterus gracilispinis

Krefft

1968

Broadband Lanternshark

Etmopterus granulosus

(Günther)

1880

Southern Lanternshark

Etmopterus hillianus

(Poey)

1861

Caribbean Lanternshark

Etmopterus litvinovi

Parin & Kotlyar

1990

Smalleye Lanternshark

Etmopterus lucifer

Jordan & Snyder

1902

Blackbelly Lanternshark

Etmopterus molleri

(Whitley)

1939

Slendertail Lanternshark

Etmopterus perryi

Springer & Burgess

1985

Dwarf Lanternshark

Etmopterus polli

Bigelow, Schroeder & Springer

1953

African Lanternshark

Etmopterus princeps

Collett

1904

Great Lanternshark

Etmopterus pseudosqualiolus

Last, Burgess & Séret

2002

False Pygmy Shark

Etmopterus pusillus

(Lowe)

1839

Smooth Lanternshark

Etmopterus pycnolepis

Kotlyar

1990

Densescale Lanternshark

Etmopterus robinsi

Schofield & Burgess

1997

West Indian Lanternshark

Etmopterus schmidti

Dolganov

1986

Darkbelly Lanternshark

Etmopterus schultzi

Bigelow, Schroeder & Springer

1953

Fringefin Lanternshark

Etmopterus sentosus

Bass, D'Aubrey & Kistnasamy

1976

Thorny Lanternshark

Etmopterus spinax

(Linneaus)

1758

Velvet Belly

Etmopterus splendidus

Yano

1988

Splendid Lanternshark

Etmopterus tasmaniensis?

Myagkov & Pavlov

1986

Tasmanian Lanternshark

Etmopterus unicolor

(Engelhardt)

1912

Brown Lanternshark

Etmopterus villosus

Gilbert

1905

Hawaiian Lanternshark

Etmopterus virens

Bigelow, Schroeder & Springer

1953

Green Lanternshark

Etmopterus sp. B?

Last & Stevens

1994

Bristled Lanternshark

Etmopterus sp.

Compagno

in prep.

Guadalupe Lanternshark

Etmopterus sp.

Compagno

in prep.

Chillean Lanternshark

Etmopterus sp. near brachyurus

Compagno & Ebert

in prep.

Sculpted Lanternshark (southern Africa)

Etmopterus sp. near princeps

Compagno

in prep.

(Inaccessible Island)

Etmopterus sp. near baxteri

Compagno & Ebert

in prep.

Giant Lanternshark (southern Africa)

 

Genus Miroscyllium

Miroscyllium skeikoi

Dolganov

1986

Rasptooth Dogfish

 

Genus Trigonognathus

Trigonognathus kabeyai

Mochizuki & Ohe

1990

Viper Dogfish

 

Family Somniosidae - Sleeper Sharks

Genus Centroscymnus

Centroscymnus coelolepis

Bocage & Capello

1864

Portugese Dogfish

Centroscymnus owstoni

Garman

1906

Roughskin Dogfish

 

Genus Centroselachus

Centroselachus crepidator

(Bocage & Capello)

1864

Longnose Velvet Dogfish

 

Genus Proscymnodon

Proscymnodon macracanthus

(Regan)

1906

Largespine Velvet Dogfish

Proscymnodon plunketi

(Waite)

1910

Plunket Shark

 

Genus Scymnodalatias

Scymnodalatias albicauda

Taniuchi & Garrick

1986

Whitetail Dogfish

Scymnodalatias garricki

Kukuyev & Konovalenko

1988

Azores Dogfish

Scymnodalatias oligodon

Kukuyev & Konovalenko

1988

Sparsetooth Dogfish

Scymnodalatias sherwoodi

(Archey)

1921

Sherwood Dogfish

 

Genus Scymnodon

Scymnodon ringens

Bocage & Capello

1864

Knifetooth Dogfish

 

Genus Somniosus

Somniosus antarcticus

Whitley

1939

Southern Sleeper Shark

Somniosus longus

Tanaka

1912

Frog Shark

Somniosus microcephalus

(Bloch & Schneider)

1801

Greenland Shark

Somniosus pacificus

Bigelow & Schroeder

1944

Pacific Sleeper Shark

Somniosus rostratus

(Risso)

1810

Little Sleeper Shark

Somniosus sp?

Compagno

1984

Longnose Sleeper Shark

 

Genus Zameus

Zameus ichiharai

(Yano & Tanaka)

1984

Japanese Velvet Dogfish

Zameus squamulosus

(Günther)

1877

Velvet Dogfish

 

Family Oxynotidae - Rough Sharks

Genus Oxynotus

Oxynotus bruniensis

(Ogilby)

1893

Prickly Dogfish

Oxynotus caribbaeus

Cervigon

1961

Caribbean Roughshark

Oxynotus centrina

(Linneaus)

1758

Angular Roughshark

Oxynotus japonicus

Yano & Morofushi

1985

Japanese Roughshark

Oxynotus paradoxus

Frade

1929

Sailfin Roughshark

 

Family Dalatiidae - Kitefin Sharks

Genus Dalatias

Dalatias licha

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Kitefin Shark

 

Genus Euprotomicroides

Euprotomicroides zantedeschia

Hulley & Penrith

1966

Taillight Shark

 

Genus Euprotomicrus

Euprotomicrus bispinatus

(Quoy & Gaimard)

1824

Pygmy Shark

 

Genus Heteroscymnoides

Heteroscymnoides marleyi

Fowler

1934

Longnose Pygmy Shark

 

Genus Isistius

Isistius brasiliensis

(Quoy & Gaimard)

1824

Cookiecutter Shark

Isistius labialis

Meng, Chu & Li

1985

South China Cookiecutter Shark

Isistius plutodus

Garrick & Springer

1964

Largetooth Cookie Cutter Shark

 

Genus Mollisquama

Mollisquama parini

Dolganov

1984

Pocket Shark

 

Genus Squaliolus

Squaliolus aliae

Teng

1959

Smalleye Pygmy Shark

Squaliolus laticaudus

Smith & Radcliffe

1912

Spined Pygmy Shark

 

Order Squatiniformes - Angel Sharks

Family Squatinidae - Angel Sharks

Genus Squatina

Squatina aculeata

Dumeril

1817

Sawback Angelshark

Squatina africana

Regan

1908

African Angelshark

Squatina argentina

Marini

1930

Argentine Angelshark

Squatina armata

(Phillipi)

1887

Chilean Angelshark

Squatina australis

Regan

1906

Australian Angelshark

Squatina californica

Ayres

1859

Pacific Angelshark

Squatina dumeril

Lesueur

1818

Sand Devil

Squatina formosa

Shen & Ting

1972

Taiwan Angelshark

Squatina guggenheim

Marini

1936

Hidden Angelshark

Squatina japonica

Bleeker

1858

Japanese Angelshark

Squatina nebulosa

Regan

1906

Clouded Angelshark

Squatina oculata

Bonaparte

1840

Smoothback Angelshark

Squatina punctata

Marini

1936

Angular Angelshark

Squatina squatina

(Linneaus)

1758

Angelshark

Squatina tergocellata

McCulloch

1914

Ornate Angelshark

Squatina tergocellatoides

Chen

1963

Ocellated Angelshark

Squatina sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Eastern Angelshark

Squatina sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Western Angelshark

Squatina sp.

Applegate

in prep.

Cortez Angelshark

 

Order Pristiophoriformes - Saw Sharks

Family Pristiophoridae - Saw Sharks

Genus Pliotrema

Pliotrema warreni

Regan

1906

Sixgill Sawshark

 

Genus Pristiophorus

Pristiophorus cirratus

(Latham)

1794

Longnose Sawshark

Pristiophorus japonicus

Günther

1870

Japanese Sawshark

Pristiophorus nudipinnis

Günther

1870

Shortnose Sawshark

Pristiophorus schroederi

Springer & Bullis

1960

Bahamas Sawshark

Pristiophorus sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Eastern Sawshark

Pristiophorus sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Tropical Sawshark

Pristiophorus sp.

Compagno

in prep.

Philippine Sawshark

Pristiophorus sp.

Stehmann

in prep.

Dwarf Sawshark (western Indian Ocean)

 

Order Heterodontiformes - Bullhead Sharks

Family Heterodontidae - Bullhead Sharks

Genus Heterodontus

Heterodontus francisci

(Girard)

1854

Horn Shark

Heterodontus galeatus

(Günther)

1870

Crested Bullhead Shark

Heterodontus japonicus

(Maclay & Macleay)

1884

Japansese Horn Shark

Heterodontus mexicanus

Taylor & Castro-Aguirre

1972

Mexican Hornshark

Heterodontus omanensis

Baldwin

2005

Oman Bullhead Shark

Heterodontus portusjacksoni

(Meyer)

1793

Port Jackson Shark

Heterodontus quoyi

(Freminville)

1840

Galapagos Bullhead Shark

Heterodontus ramalheira

(Smith)

1949

Whitespotted Bullhead Shark

Heterodontus zebra

(Gray)

1831

Zebra Bullhead Shark

 

Order Orectolobiformes - Carpet Sharks

Family Parascylliidae - Collared Carpetsharks

Genus Cirroscyllium

Cirrhoscyllium expolitum

Smith & Radcliffe

1913

Barbelthroat Carpetshark

Cirrhoscyllium formosanum

Teng

1959

Taiwan Saddled Carpetshark

Cirrhoscyllium japonicum

Kamohara

1943

Saddled Carpetshark

 

Genus Parascyllium

Parascyllium collarae

Ramsay & Ogilby

1888

Collared Carpetshark

Parascyllium ferrugineum

McCulloch

1911

Rusty Carpetshark

Parascyllium sparsimaculatum

Goto & Last

2002

Ginger Carpetshark

Parascyllium variolatum

(Dumeril)

1843

Necklace Carpetshark

 

Family Brachaeluridae - Blind Sharks

Genus Brachaelurus

Brachaelurus waddi

(Bloch & Schneider)

1801

Blind Shark

 

Genus Heteroscyllium

Heteroscyllium colcloughi

(Ogilby)

1908

Bluegrey Carpetshark

 

Family Orectolobidae - Wobbegongs

Genus Eucrossorhinus

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

(Bleeker)

1867

Tasselled Wobbegong

 

Genus Orectolobus

Orectolobus halei

Whitley

1940

Gulf Wobbegong

Orectolobus hutchinsi

Last, Chidlow & Compagno

2006

Western Wobbegong

Orectolobus japonicus

Regan

1906

Japanese Wobbegong

Orectolobus maculatus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Spotted Wobbegong

Orectolobus ornatus

(de Vis)

1883

Ornate Wobbegong

Orectolobus wardi

Whitley

1939

Northern Wobbegong

Orectolobus sp.

 

 

Dwarf Spotted Wobbegong (Western Australia)

Orectolobus sp.

 

 

False Cobbler Wobbegong (Western Australia)

 

Genus Sutorectus

Sutorectus tentaculatus

(Peters)

1864

Cobbler Wobbegong

 

Family Hemiscylliidae - Bamboo Sharks

Genus Chiloscyllium

Chiloscyllium arabicum

Gubanov

1980

Arabian Carpetshark

Chiloscyllium burmensis

Dingerkus & DeFino

1983

Burmese Bambooshark

Chiloscyllium griseum

Müller & Henle

1838

Grey Bambooshark

Chiloscyllium hasselti

Bleeker

1852

Indonesian Bambooshark

Chiloscyllium indicum

(Gmelin)

1789

Slender Bambooshark

Chiloscyllium plagiosum

(Bennett)

1830

Whitespotted Bambooshark

Chiloscyllium punctatum

Müller & Henle

1838

Brownbanded Bambooshark

 

Genus Hemiscyllium

Hemiscyllium freycineti

(Quoy & Gaimard)

1824

Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark

Hemiscyllium hallstromi

Whitley

1967

Papuan Epaulette Shark

Hemiscyllium ocellatum

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Epaulette Shark

Hemiscyllium strahani

Whitley

1967

Hooded Carpetshark

Hemiscyllium trispeculare

Richardson

1843

Speckled Carpetshark

Hemiscyllium sp.

Compagno

 

Seychelles Carpetshark

Hemiscyllium sp.

Erdmann

 

(Papua New Guinea)

Hemiscyllium sp.

Erdmann

 

(Papua New Guinea)

 

Family Ginglymostomatidae - Nurse Sharks

Genus Ginglymostoma

Ginglymostoma cirratum

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Nurse Shark

 

Genus Nebrius

Nebrius ferrigineus

(Lesson)

1830

Tawny Nurse Shark

 

Genus Pseudoginglymostoma

Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudata

(Günther)

1866

Shorttail Nurse Shark

 

Family Stegostomatidae - Zebra Shark

Genus Stegostoma

Stegostoma varium

Seba

1758

Zebra Shark

 

Family Rhincodontidae - Whale Shark

Genus Rhincodon

Rhincodon typus

Smith

1828

Whale Shark

 

Order Lamniformes - Mackerel Sharks

Family Mitsukurinidae - Goblin Shark

Genus Mitsukurina

Mitsukurina owstoni

Jordan

1898

Goblin Shark

 

Family Carchariidae - Sandtiger Shark

Genus Carcharias

Carcharias taurus

Rafinesque

1810

Sandtiger

 

Family Odontaspididae - Ragged-Tooth Sharks

Genus Odontaspis

Odontaspis ferox

(Risso)

1810

Smalltooth Sandtiger

Odontaspis noronhai

(Maul)

1955

Bigeye Sandtiger

 

Family Alopiidae - Thresher Sharks

Genus Alopias

Alopias pelagicus

Nakamura

1935

Pelagic Thresher

Alopias superciliosus

Lowe

1839

Bigeye Thresher

Alopias vulpinus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Thresher Shark

 

Family Megachasmidae - Megamouth Shark

Genus Megachasma

Megachasma pelagios

Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker

1983

Megamouth Shark

 

Family Pseudocarchariidae - Crocodile Shark

Genus Pseudocarcharias

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai

(Matsubara)

1936

Crocodile Shark

 

Family Cetorhinidae - Basking Shark

Genus Cetorhinus

Cetorhinus maximus

Gunnerus

1765

Basking Shark

 

Family Lamnidae - Mackerel Sharks

Genus Carcharodon

Carcharodon carcharias

(Linneus)

1758

White Shark

 

Genus Isurus

Isurus oxyrinchus

Rafinesque

1810

Shortfin Mako

Isurus paucus

Guitart Manday

1966

Longfin Mako

 

Genus Lamna

Lamna ditropis

Hubbs & Follett

1947

Salmon Shark

Lamna nasus

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Porbeagle

 

Order Carcharhiniformes - Ground Sharks

Family Scyliorhinidae - Cat Sharks

Genus Apristurus

Apristurus acanutus

Chu, Meng & Li

1985

Flatnose Catshark

Apristurus albisoma

Nakaya & Seret

1999

White-bodied Catshark

Apristurus aphyodes

Nakaya & Stehmann

1998

White Ghost Catshark

Apristurus atlanticus

(Koefoed)

1932

Atlantic Ghost Catshark

Apristurus brunneus

(Gilbert)

1892

Brown Catshark

Apristurus canutus

Springer & Heemstra

1979

Hoary Catshark

Apristurus exsanguis

Sato, Nakaya & Stewart

1999

Flaccid Catshark

Apristurus federovi?

Dolganov

1985

Stout Catshark

Apristurus gibbosus

Meng, Chu & Li

1985

Humpback Catshark

Apristurus herklotsi

(Fowler)

1934

Longfin Catshark

Apristurus indicus

(Brauer)

1906

Smallbelly Catshark

Apristurus internatus

Deng, Xiong & Zhan

1988

Shortnose Demon Catshark

Apristurus investigatoris

(Misra)

1962

Broadnose Catshark

Apristurus japonicus

Nakaya

1975

Japanese Catshark

Apristurus kampae

Taylor

1972

Longnose Catshark

Apristurus laurussoni

(Saemundsson)

1922

Iceland Catshark

Apristurus longicephalus

Nakaya

1975

Longhead Catshark

Apristurus macrorhynchus

(Tanaka)

1909

Flathead Catshark

Apristurus macrostomus

Meng, Chu & Li

1985

Broadmouth Catshark

Apristurus manis

Springer

1979

Ghost Catshark

Apristurus microps

(Gilchrist)

1922

Smalleye Catshark

Apristurus micropterygeus

Meng, Chu & Li

1986

Smalldorsal Catshark

Apristurus nasutus

de Buen

1959

Largenose Catshark

Apristurus parvipinnis

Springer & Heemstra

1979

Smallfin Catshark

Apristurus pinguis?

Deng, Xiong & Zhan

1983

Fat Catshark

Apristurus platyrhynchus

(Tanaka)

1909

Spatulasnout Catshark

Apristurus profundorum

(Goode & Bean)

1896

Deepwater Catshark

Apristurus riveri

Bigelow & Schroeder

1944

Broadgill Catshark

Apristurus saldanha

(Barnard)

1925

Saldanha Catshark

Apristurus sibogae

(Weber)

1913

Pale Catshark

Apristurus sinensis

Chu & Hu

1981

South China Catshark

Apristurus spongiceps

(Gilbert)

1905

Spongehead Catshark

Apristurus stenseni

(Springer)

1979

Panama Ghost Catshark

Apristurus verweyi

(Fowler)

1934

Borneo Catshark

Apristurus sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Freckled Catshark

Apristurus sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Bigfin Catshark

Apristurus sp. C

Last & Stevens

1994

Fleshynose Catshark

Apristurus sp. D

Last & Stevens

1994

Roughskin Catshark

Apristurus sp. E

Last & Stevens

1994

Bulldog Catshark

Apristurus sp. F

Last & Stevens

1994

Bighead Catshark

Apristurus sp. G

Last & Stevens

1994

Pinocchio Catshark

Apristurus sp.

Séret

 

(Philippines)

Apristurus sp.

Séret

 

(Indonesia)

Apristurus sp.

Compagno & Ebert

 

White-edged Catshark (California)

Apristurus sp.

Compagno & Ebert

 

Black Wonder Catshark (Southern Africa)

Apristurus sp.

Compagno

 

Grey Ghost Catshark (Melville Ridge)

 

Genus Asymbolus

Asymbolus analis

(Ogilby)

1885

Grey Spotted Catshark

Asymbolus funebris

Compagno, Stevens & Last

1999

Blotched Catshark

Asymbolus occiduus

Last, Gomon & Gledhill

1999

Western Spotted Catshark

Asymbolus pallidus

Last, Gomon & Gledhill

1999

Dwarf Catshark

Asymbolus rubiginosus

Last, Gomon & Gledhill

1999

Orange Spotted Catshark

Asymbolus submaculatus

Compagno, Stevens & Last

1999

Variegated Catshark

Asymbolus vincenti

(Zeitz)

1908

Gulf Catshark

Asymbolus sp.

Séret

 

New Caledonia Spotted Catshark

 

Genus Atelomycterus

Atelomycterus fasciatus

Compagno & Stevens

1993

Banded Sand Catshark

Atelomycterus macleayi

Whitley

1939

Australian Marbled Catshark

Atelomycterus marmoratus

(Bennett)

1830

Coral Catshark

Atelomycterus sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Whitespotted Sand Catshark

 

Genus Aulohalaelurus

Aulohalaelurus kanakorum

Séret

   

Aulohalaelurus labiosus

(Waite)

1905

Blackspotted Catshark

 

Genus Bythaelurus

Bythaelurus? alcocki

(Garman)

1913

Arabian Catshark

Bythaelurus canescens

(Günther)

1878

Dusky Catshark

Bythaelurus cleavi

(Séret)

1987

Broadhead Catshark

Bythaelurus dawsoni

(Springer)

1971

New Zealand Catshark

Bythaelurus hispidus

(Alocock)

1891

Bristly Catshark

Bythaelurus immaculatus

(Chu & Meng)

1982

Spotless Catshark

Bythaelurus lutarius

(Springer & D'Aubrey)

1972

Mud Catshark

Bythaelurus [=Halaelurus] sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Sombre Catshark

Bythaelurus sp.

Compagno, McCosker & Long

 

Galapagos Catshark

 

Genus Cephaloscyllium

Cephaloscyllium fasciatum

Chan

1966

Reticulated Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium isabellum

(Bonnaterre)

1788

Draughtsboard Shark

Cephaloscyllium laticeps

(Dumeril)

1853

Australian Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium silasi

(Talwar)

1974

Indian Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sufflans

(Regan)

1921

Balloon Shark

Cephaloscyllium umbratile

Jordan & Fowler

1903

Japanese Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium ventriosum

(Garman)

1880

Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Whitefin Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Saddled Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp. C

Last & Stevens

1994

Northern Draghtsboard Shark

Cephaloscyllium sp. D

Last & Stevens

1994

Narrowbar Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp. E

Last & Stevens

1994

Speckled Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Randall

 

New Guinea Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Compagno

1988

Dwarf Oriental Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Compagno

1988

Dwarf Balloon Shark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Séret

 

New Caledonia Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Ritter

 

Red Sea Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium sp.

Stevens

 

Philippines Swellshark

 

Genus Cephalurus

Cephalurus cephalus

(Gilbert)

1892

Lollipop Catshark

 

Genus Galeus

Galeus antillensis

Springer

1979

Antilles Catshark

Galeus arae

(Nichols)

1927

Roughtail Catshark

Galeus atlanticus

(Valliant)

1888

Atlantic Sawtail Catshark

Galeus boardmani

(Whitley)

1928

Australian Sawtail Catshark

Galeus cadenati

Springer

1966

Longfin Sawtail Catshark

Galeus eastmani

(Jordan & Snyder)

1904

Gecko Catshark

Galeus gracillis

Compagno & Stevens

1993

Slender Sawtail Catshark

Galeus longirostris

Tachikawa & Taniuchi

1987

Longnose Sawtail Catshark

Galeus melastomus

Rafinesque

1810

Blackmouth Catshark

Galeus minocaronei

Soto

2001

Southern Sawtail Catshark

Galeus murinus

(Collett)

1904

Mouse Catshark

Galeus nipponensis

Nakyaya

1975

Broadfin Sawtail Catshark

Galeus piperatus

Springer & Wagner

1966

Peppered Catshark

Galeus polli

Cadenat

1959

African Sawtail Catshark

Galeus sauteri

(Jordan & Richardson)

1909

Blacktip Sawtail Catshark

Galeus schultzi

Springer

1979

Dwarf Sawtail Catshark

Galeus springeri

Konstantinou & Cozzi

1998

Springer's Sawtail Catshark

Galeus sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Northern Sawtail Catshark

Galeus sp.

Séret & Last

1997

Indonesian Sawtail Catshark

Galeus sp.

Last, Stevens & Compagno

 

Philippines Sawtail Catshark

 

Genus Halaelurus

Halaelurus boesemani

Springer & D'Aubrey

1972

Speckled Catshark

Halaelurus buergeri

(Müller & Henle)

1838

Darkspot Catshark

Halaelurus lineatus

Bass, D'Aubrey & Kistnasamy

1975

Lined Catshark

Halaelurus natalensis

(Regan)

1904

Tiger Catshark

Halaelurus quagga

(Alcock)

1899

Quagga Catshark

 

Genus Haploblepharus

Haploblepharus edwardsii

(Voight)

1832

Puffadder Shyshark

Haploblepharus fuscus

Smith

1950

Brown Shyshark

Haploblepharus pictus

(Müller & Henle)

1838

Dark Shyshark

Haploblepharus kistnasamyi

Human & Compagno

2006

Natal Shyshark

 

Genus Holohalaelurus

Holohalaelurus melanostigma

(Norman)

1939

Tropical Izak Catshark

Holohalaelurus punctatus

(Gilchrist)

1914

African Spotted Catshark

Holohalaelurus regani

(Gilchrist)

1922

Izak Catshark

Holohalaelurus sp.

Human

 

East African Spotted Catshark

 

Genus Parmaturus

Parmaturus campechiensis

Springer

1979

Campeche Catshark

Parmaturus macmillani

Hardy

1985

New Zealand Filetail

Parmaturus melanobranchius

(Chan)

1966

Blackgill Catshark

Parmaturus pilosus

Garman

1906

Salamander Catshark

Parmaturus xaniurus

(Gilbert)

1892

Filetail Catshark

Parmaturus sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Shorttail Catshark

Parmaturus sp.

Séret

 

Indonesian Filetail Catshark

Parmaturus sp.

McEachran

 

Gulf of Mexico Filetail

 

Genus Pentanchus

Pentanchus profundicolus

Smith & Radcliffe

1912

Onefin Catshark

 

Genus Poroderma

Poroderma africanum

(Gmelin)

1789

Striped Catshark

Poroderma pantherinum

(Smith)

1838

Leopard Catshark

 

Genus Schroederichthys

Schroederichthys bivius

(Smith)

1838

Narrowmouth Catshark

Schroederichthys chilensis

(Guichenot)

1848

Redspotted Catshark

Schroederichthys maculatus

Springer

1966

Narrowtail Catshark

Schroederichthys saurisqualus

Soto

2001

Lizard Catshark

Schroederichthys tenuis

Springer

1966

Slender Catshark

 

Genus Scyliorhinus

Scyliorhinus besnardi

Springer & Sadowsky

1970

Polkadot Catshark

Scyliorhinus boa

Goode & Bean

1896

Boa Catshark

Scyliorhinus canicula

(Linnaeus)

1758

Smallspotted Catshark

Scyliorhinus capensis

Smith

1838

Yellowspotted Catshark

Scyliorhinus cervigoni

Maurin & Bonnet

1970

West African Catshark

Scyliorhinus comoroensis

Compagno

1989

Comoro Catshark

Scyliorhinus garmani

(Fowler)

1934

Brownspotted Catshark

Scyliorhinus haeckelii

(Ribiero)

1907

Freckled Catshark

Scyliorhinus hesperius

Springer

1966

Whitesaddled Catshark

Scyliorhinus meadi

Springer

1966

Blotched Catshark

Scyliorhinus retifer

(Garman)

1881

Chain Catshark

Scyliorhinus stellaris

(Linnaeus)

1758

Nursehound

Scyliorhinus tokubee

Shirai, Hagiwara & Nakaya

1992

Izu Catshark

Scyliorhinus torazame

(Tanaka)

1908

Cloudy Catshark

Scyliorhinus torrei

Howell-Rivero

1936

Dwarf Catshark

 

Family Proscylliidae - Finback Cat Sharks

Genus Ctenacis

Ctenacis fehlmanni

(Springer)

1968

Harlequin Catshark

 

Genus Eridacnis

Eridacnis barbouri

(Bigelow & Schroeder)

1944

Cuban Ribbontail Catshark

Eridacnis radcliffei

Smith

1913

Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark

Eridacnis sinuans

(Smith)

1957

African Ribbontail Catshark

 

Genus Proscyllium

Proscyllium habereri

Hilgendorf

1904

Graceful Catshark

 

Family Pseudotriakidae - False Catsharks

Genus Gollum

Gollum attenuatus

(Garrick)

1954

Slender Smoothhound

Gollum sp.

Last

 

Philippine Slender Smoothhound

 

Genus Pseudotriakis

Pseudotriakis microdon

Capello

1868

False Catshark

 

New Genus [Unnamed]

[New genus] [new species]

Compagno, Stehmann & Anderson

 

Pygmy False Catshark

 

Family Leptochariidae - Barbeled Houndshark

Genus Leptocharias

Leptocharias smithii

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Barbelled Houdshark

 

Family Triakidae - Smoothhound Sharks

Genus Furgaleus

Furgaleus macki

(Whitley)

1943

Whiskery Shark

 

Genus Galeorhinus

Galeorhinus galeus

(Linnaeus)

1758

Tope Shark

 

Genus Gogolia

Gogolia filewoodi

Compagno

1973

Sailback Houndshark

 

Genus Hemitriakis

Hemitriakis abdita

Compagno & Stevens

1993

Deepwater Sicklefin Houndshark

Hemitriakis complicofasciata

Takahashi & Nakaya

2004

Ocellate Topeshark

Hemitriakis japanica

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Japanese Topeshark

Hemitriakis falcata

Compagno & Stevens

1993

Sicklefin Smoothhound

Hemitriakis leucoperiptera

Herre

1923

Whitefin Topeshark

Hemitriakis sp.

Compagno

1988

Philippine Ocellate Topeshark

 

Genus Hypogaleus

Hypogaleus hyugaensis

(Miyosi)

1939

Blacktip Topeshark

 

Genus Iago

Iago garricki

Fourmanoir

1979

Longnose Houndshark

Iago omanensis

(Norman)

1939

Bigeye Houndshark

Iago sp.

Compagno

 

Lowfin Houndshark

Iago sp.

Compagno

 

Bengal Smalltail Houndshark

 

Genus Mustelus

Mustelus antarcticus

Günther

1870

Gummy Shark

Mustelus asterias

Cloquet

1821

Starry Smoothhound

Mustelus californicus

Gill

1864

Grey Smoothhound

Mustelus canis

(Mitchell)

1815

Dusky Smoothhound

Mustelus dorsalis

Gill

1864

Sharpnose Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

(Garman)

1913

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus griseus

Pitschmann

1908

Spotless Smoothound

Mustelus henlei

(Gill)

1863

Brown Smoothhound

Mustelus higmani

Springer & Lowe

1963

Smalleye Smoothhound

Mustelus lenticulatus

Phillipps

1932

Spotted Estuary Smoothound

Mustelus lunulatus

Jordan & Gilbert

1883

Sicklefin Smoothhound

Mustelus manazo

Bleeker

1854

Starspotted Smoothhound

Mustelus mento

Cope

1877

Speckled Smoothhound

Mustelus minicanis

Heemstra

1997

Venezuelan Dwarf Smoothhound

Mustelus mosis

Hemprich & Ehrenberg

1899

Arabian Smoothhound

Mustelus mustelus

(Linnaeus)

1758

Smoothhound

Mustelus norrisi

Springer

1940

Narrowfin Smoothhound

Mustelus palumbes

Smith

1957

Whitespot Smoothhound

Mustelus punctulatus

Risso

1826

Blackspot Smoothhound

Mustelus schmitti

Springer

1940

Narrownose Smoothhound

Mustelus sinusmexicanus

Heemstra

1997

Gulf of Mexico Smoothhound

Mustelus whitneyi

Chirichigno

1973

Humpback Smoothhound

Mustelus sp. A

Heemstra/Last & Stevens

1994

Grey Gummy Shark

Mustelus sp. B

Last & Stevens

1994

Whitespotted Gummy Shark

Mustelus sp.

Heemstra

 

Broadnose Smoothhound

Mustelus sp.

Heemsra

 

Pacific Narrownose Smoothhound

Mustelus sp. cf. manazo

Séret

 

New Caledonia Smoothhound

 

Genus Squalliogaleus

Squalliogaleus quecketti

Boulenger

1902

Flapnose Houndshark

 

Genus Triakis

Triakis acutipinna

Kato

1968

Sharpfin Houndshark

Triakis maculata

Kner & Steindachner

1866

Spotted Houndshark

Triakis megalopterus

(Smith)

1849

Spotted Gully Shark

Triakis scyllium

Müller & Henle

1839

Banded Houndshark

Triakis semifasciata

Girard

1854

Leopard Shark

 

Family Hemigaleidae - Weasel Sharks

Genus Chaenogaleus

Chaenogaleus macrostoma

(Bleeker)

1852

Hooktooth Shark

 

Genus Hemigaleus

Hemigaleus australiensis

White, Last & Compagno

2005

Australian Weasel Shark

Hemigaleus microstoma

Bleeker

1852

Sicklefin Weasel Shark

Hemipristis elongatus

(Klunzinger)

1871

Snaggletooth Shark

 

Genus Paragaleus

Paragaleus leucolomatus

Compagno & Smale

1985

Whitetip Weasel Shark

Paragaleus pectoralis

(Garman)

1906

Atlantic Weasel Shark

Paragaleus randalli

Compagno, Krupp & Carpenter

1996

Slender Weasel Shark

Paragaleus tengi

(Chen)

1963

Straighttooth Weasel Shark

 

Family Carcharhinidae - Whaler Sharks

Genus Carcharhinus

Carcharhinus acronotus

(Poey)

1860

Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus albimarginatus

(Rüppell)

1837

Silvertip Shark

Carcharhinus altimus

(Springer)

1950

Bignose Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides

(Whitley)

1934

Graceful Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

(Bleeker)

1856

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amboinensis

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Java Shark

Carcharhinus borneensis

(Bleeker)

1859

Borneo Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

(Günther)

1870

Bronze Whaler

Carcharhinus brevipinna

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus cautus

(Whitley)

1945

Nervous Shark

Carcharhinus dussumieri

(Valenciennes)

1839

Whitecheek Shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

(Bibron)

1839

Silky Shark

Carcharhinus fitzroyensis

(Whitley)

1943

Creek Whaler

Carcharhinus galapagensis

(Snodgrass & Heller)

1905

Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus hemiodon

(Valenciennes)

1839

Pondicherry Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

(Valenciennes)

1839

Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus leiodon

Garrick

1985

Smoothhound Blacktip

Carcharhinus leucas

(Valenciennes)

1839

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

(Valenciennes)

1839

Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

(Poey)

1861

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus macloti

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Hardnose Shark

Carcharhinus melanopterus

(Quoy & Gaimard)

1824

Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

(Lesueur)

1818

Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus perezi

(Poey)

1876

Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

(Nardo)

1827

Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus porosus

(Ranzani)

1839

Smalltail Shark

Carcharhinus sealei

(Pietschmann)

1916

Blackspot Shark

Carcharhinus signatus

(Poey)

1868

Night Shark

Carcharhinus sorrah

(Valenciennes)

1839

Spottail Shark

Carcharhinus tilstoni

(Whitley)

1950

Australian Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus sp.

Compagno

1988

False Smalltail Shark

 

Genus Galeocerdo

Galeocerdo cuvier

(Peron & Lesueur)

1822

Tiger Shark

 

Genus Glyphis

Glyphis gangeticus

(Müller & Henle)

1939

Ganges Shark

Glyphis glyphis

(Müller & Henle)

1939

Speartooth Shark

Glyphis siamensis

(Steindachner)

1896

Irrawaddy River Shark

Glyphis sp. A

Last & Stevens

1994

Bizant River Shark

Glyphis sp. B

Compagno et al.

 

Borneo River Shark

Glyphis sp. C

Compagno & Garrick

 

New Guinea River Shark

 

Genus Isogomphodon

Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Daggernose Shark

 

Genus Lamiopsis

Lamiopsis temmincki

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Broadfin Shark

 

Genus Loxodon

Loxodon macrorhinus

Müller & Henle

1839

Sliteye Shark

 

Genus Nasolamia

Nasolamia velox

Gilbert

1898

Whitenose Shark

 

Genus Negaprion

Negaprion acutidens

(Rüppell)

1837

Shapptooth Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

(Poey)

1868

Lemon Shark

 

Genus Prionace

Prionace glauca

(Linnaeus)

1758

Blue Shark

 

Genus Rhizoprionodon

Rhizoprionodon acutus

(Rüppell)

1837

Milk Shark

Rhizoprionodon lalandi

(Müller & Henle)

1839

Brazilian Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon longuirio

(Jordan & Gilbert)

1882

Pacific Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon oligolinx

Springer

1964

Grey Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon porosus

(Poey)

1861

Caribbean Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon taylori

(Ogilby)

1915

Australian Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

(Richardson)

1836

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

 

Genus Scoliodon

Scoliodon laticaudus

Müller & Henle

1838

Spadenose Shark

 

Genus Triaenodon

Triaenodon obesus

(Rüppell)

1837

Whitetip Reef Shark

 

Family Sphyrnidae - Hammerhead Sharks

Genus Eusphyra

Eusphyra blochii

(Cuvier)

1817

Winghead Shark

 

Genus Sphyrna

Sphyrna corona

Springer

1940

Mallethead Shark

Sphyrna lewini

(Griffith & Smith)

1834

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna media

Springer

1940

Scoophead Shark

Sphyrna mokarran

(Rüppell)

1837

Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna tiburo

(Linnaeus)

1758

Bonnethead Shark

Sphyrna tudes

(Valenciennes)

1822

Smalleye Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

(Linnaeus)

1758

Smooth Hammerhead

 

 

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Text and illustrations © R. Aidan Martin
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