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Phylum: Chordata Subphylum:Vertebrata Superclass: Gnathostomata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order : Carcharhiniformes & Pristiformes. ( Blacktip Shark and Smalltooth Sawfish) James Gill. Order Carcharhiniformes : - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Phylum: ChordataSubphylum: VertebrataSuperclass: GnathostomataClass: ChondrichthyesSubclass: Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes & Pristiformes
(Blacktip Shark and Smalltooth Sawfish)
James Gill
Order Carcharhiniformes: Largest Order of sharks containing
270 different species including catsharks, swellsharks, and the sandbar shark
Known as ground sharks Nictitating membrane over each eye Two dorsal fins An anal fin Five gill slits Family
Family Carcharhinidae: Known as Requiem Sharks Migratory Live-bearing sharks (viviparous) Responsible for most attacks on
humas Live in warm seas
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)Biological Facts: Females are viviparous, usually bearing
4-7 pups Usually grow to be about 4.9ft long 90% of their diet is fish, the other 10%
being crustaceans and cephalopods Favored habitats are island lagoons,
muddy bays coral reef drop-offs and mangrove swamps.
Most active at dawn and dusk Usually live in sexually segregated
schools until mating season Most bites can be pinned on blacktip
sharks but there has never been a recorded fatal incident.
Seasonal migration from North Carolina in the summer to Florida in the winter off the east coast of the US
Nearly threatened but not endangered
Fun Facts: Known to jump out of the water and spin in
order to disorient schools of fish for feeding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzxob3G_3G0 Known to utilize asexual reproduction
when no males are present (automictic parthenogenesis)
Most timid of the large Requiem Sharks and will observe humans from a safe distance.
Blacktip VS Blacktip REEF sharks Blacktip: Carcharhinus limbatus Timid but curious, will watch
humans Closer to reef drop-offs,
sometimes mangrove swamps Usually 4.9 feet
Blacktip Reef: Carcharhinus melanopterus Timid and skittish, very difficult to
approach Shallow inshore waters and sandy
flats Usually 5.3 feet
Order Pristiformes:• Known as carpenter
sharks• Only 1 living
family(Pristidae) and 7 species
• long, narrow, flattened rostrum
Biological Facts: Females are ovoviviparous Little is known about the
reproduction habits of the sawfish. They are estimated to mate once every two years, with an average litter of around eight. They mature very slowly (12 years) with low reproduction rates
Usually 7.6 meters in length Small fish, crustaceans and mollusks shallow tropical and subtropical
waters in coastal parts of the Atlantic All species are nocturnal Rostrum is used for a multitude of
purposes All species are critically endangered
Differences between sawFISH and sawSHARKSSawfish: Gill openings on underside No barbels All teeth are the same size Shallow, costal waters Relatively large (up to 23feet)
Sawsharks:Gill openings on sidesBarbelsAlternating large and small
saw teethDeep offshore watersRelatively small (about 5feet)
Fun with Rostrums- a Multi Purpose tool A sawfish’s saw is made up of thousands of sensory organs that allow them to
monitor the movements of other organisms by measuring the electrical fields they emit. Because the sensory organs are more densely packed on the dorsal side of its saw, the fish can create an image of the three-dimensional area above it, even in waters of low-visibility, which helps explain its bottom-dwelling nature. Utilizing their saw as an extended sensing device, sawfish are able to “view” their entire surroundings by maintaining a position low to the sea floor.
Smalltooth sawfish have been observed to approach large shoals of fish while striking their saw rapidly from side to side. The sawfish has also been observed to attack larger prey by using their weapon to dislodge large pieces of meat from victims. They then use their serrated saw teeth to tear through flesh.
The rostrum’s “teeth” are called deticles. Because the fish can swing its body so quickly, it also acts as a defense mechanism to scare predators away.
The pups’ rostral blades are enclosed by a sheath – so as to protect the mother during the birthing process – which eventually disintegrates and falls off.
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