Caribbean sharpnose shark
The Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) is a requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, between latitudes 28° N and 40° S, from the surface to a depth of 500 m. It can reach a length of about 1.1 m.
| Caribbean sharpnose shark | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus: | Rhizoprionodon |
| Species: | R. porosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhizoprionodon porosus (Poey, 1861) | |
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Life history
The maximum reported size for the Caribbean sharpnose shark is 110 cm (43 inches). The average adult size appears to be about 80–89 cm (31.5-35 inches). Both sexes seem to reach maturity at about 65–70 cm (25.6-27.5 inches) in length, and just over 2 years old. The life span is estimated to be about 8–10 years old. This species was once confused as being the same species as the Atlantic sharpnose shark - however difference in vertebra counts indicate that it is a separate species. Reproduction and litter size is similar to those of the Atlantic sharpnose shark.
Jaws
Upper teeth
Lower teeth
References
- Lessa, R., Quijano, S.M., Santana, F.M. & Monzini, J. (2006). Rhizoprionodon porosus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61407A12473033.en
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhizoprionodon porosus. |
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Rhizoprionodon porosus" in FishBase. May 2006 version.
- http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/CSharpnose/CSharpnose.html