Elasmobranchii Taxonomy

Order: Heterodontiformes

Bullhead sharks

Order: Heterodontiforme characteristics

Two dorsal fins w/spines

Short rostrum w/ naso-oral grooves

Terminal mouth

Order: Orectolobiformes

Carpet sharks

Order: Orectolobiforme characteristics

Nocturnal

Bottom feeders

“Shaggy beard”

Order: Lamniformes

Mackerel sharks

Order: Lamniforme characteristics

Spineless dorsal fins

long blade-like pre-oral snout

OR broadly rounded pre-oral snout

Order: Carcharhiniformes

Ground sharks

Order: Carcharhiniformes characteristics

Spinless dorsal fins

Developed anal fin

Order: Hexanchiformes

Cow & Frilled sharks

Order: Hexanchiformes characteristics

Single spineless dorsal fin

6 - 7 pairs of gills

Conical or rounded snout

Order: Squaliformes

Dogfish sharks

Order: Squaliformes characteristics

Spines on both dorsal fins

Lack an anal fin

Elongate rostrum

Order: Squatiniformes

Angel sharks

Order: Squatiniformes characteristics

Spineless dorsal fins

Short rostrum, but large mouth

Extreme dorso-ventral compressed trunk

Order: Pristioformes

Saw shark

Order: Pristioformes characteristics

Depressed snout

Large lateral teeth

Rostral barbels

Cylindrical trunk but depressed head

Order: Torpediniformes

Electric rays

Order: Torpediniformes characteristics

Muscular pre-caudal tail

Thick, depressed back

No denticles

Electric organ prominent

Order: Pristiformes

Sawfishes

Order: Pristiformes characteristics

Large falcate dorsal fins

Elongated and depressed pre-oral snout

Order: Rajiformes

Skates

Order: Rajiformes characteristics

Body w/denticles, thorns, & paired electric organs

Two dorsal fins

Order: Myliobatiformes

Stingrays

Order: Myliobatiformes characteristics

Angular or bilobate rostrum

Body w/denticles, thorns, & barbs

Barbs can be venomous