Caribbean sharpnose shark
Species of shark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) is a requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae.
| Caribbean sharpnose shark | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Selachii |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus: | Rhizoprionodon |
| Species: | R. porosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhizoprionodon porosus (Poey, 1861) | |
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Distribution and habitat
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.
Description
The maximum reported size for the Caribbean sharpnose shark is 110 cm (43 in). The average adult size appears to be about 80–89 cm (31.5–35 in). Both sexes seem to reach maturity at about 65–70 cm (25.5–27.5 in) in length, and just over 2 years old. The life span is estimated to be about 8–10 years old.
Taxonomy
The 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.
Breeding
Reproduction and litter size is similar to those of the Atlantic sharpnose shark.
Jaws
Upper teeth
Lower teeth
