These majestic fish are distributed around all the seas and oceans on Earth, there are at least 350 different species of shark, not to mention the 1.000 known fossils of other species today. According to different scientific studies, prehistoric sharks appeared on Earth approximately 400 million years ago. If you want to learn much more about how many species of sharks there are, do not hesitate for a moment to continue reading this article.
How many species of sharks are there?
As we mentioned before, these beautiful fish appeared on Earth about 400 million years ago, since then the vast majority of species have become extinct, however, there are many that were able to survive, evolve and adapt to the different changes that the planet underwent. planet, therefore, today, a large number of species are still alive.
It is important to note that sharks as we know them today appeared approximately 100 million years ago; Due to the variety of sizes and shapes of sharks, today they are classified into many groups, groups in which we can find dozens of these. Below you can discover all the species of sharks that exist today.
Squatiniformes Sharks
Sharks belonging to the order Squatiniforme are commonly called "angel sharks". The main characteristic of this order is the total absence of an anal fin, having quite developed pectoral fins and also having a very flattened body. Some people often confuse them with manta rays, due to their great resemblance, however, they are obviously not.
Among the species of squatiniformes sharks, we can highlight the spiny angelshark, as indicated by its scientific name, Squatina aculeata. These unique sharks live mainly in the eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately from Morocco and the coast of Western Sahara to Namibia, passing through different African countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea, Mauritania, and Gabon to the south of Angola; they can even be observed in the Mediterranean.
Despite the fact that this species is the largest of its group, reaching total lengths of up to two meters, these sharks are unfortunately today in danger of extinction due to rampant fishing themselves. It is important to note that these fish are viviparous placental animals.
On the other hand, in the northwest and in the western central Pacific we can find another species of squatiniformes shark. This is the ocellated shark, or scientifically called Squatina Tergocellatoides; There is very little information regarding this species of shark, since there are very few cataloged specimens in existence. Different studies and data show that these sharks usually spend on the seabed, approximately 100 or 300 meters from the surface, this is also due to the fact that in trawling many of these sharks are accidentally hunted. Other species of squatiniformes sharks that we can find are:
- Squatina armata, or Chilean Angel Shark.
- Squatina albipunctata, Eastern Angel Shark.
- Argentine Squatina, or Argentine Angel Shark.
- Squatina forma, better known as the Taiwan Angel Shark.
- Squatina australis, Australian Angel Shark.
- Squatina dumeril, Atlantic angel shark.
- Squatina californica, Pacific angel shark.
- Squatina japonica, Japanese Angelota.
Pristiophoriform Sharks
The order of the pristiophoriformes is made up of the sawshark species. The snout of these species is quite elongated and they have serrated edges, which is precisely where their name comes from. Like the squatiniformes sharks, the sharks belonging to this order also do not have an anal fin. These beautiful fish usually look for their food in the depths of the sea, to carry out this action they use two very long appendages near their mouth that help them to detect their victims.
Among the species of pristiophoriformes sharks, we can find the long-nosed saw shark, which is distributed mainly in the Indian Ocean, and south of Australia and Tasmania. These sharks prefer to live in sandy areas, specifically at depths that usually range between 40 and 300 meters, because at this depth they can find their prey much easier. It is important to note that they are a kind of ovoviviparous animal.
In addition to the long-nosed sawshark, we can also mention the Bahamas sawshark, or Pristiophorus schroederi, which is a species of pristiophoriform shark that is distributed in the Caribbean Sea and prefers to live in deeper waters. Physically, this animal bears a great resemblance to the aforementioned and also to the rest of the sawshark species. They normally live in depths ranging between 400 and 1.000 meters. To date, there are only six species of sawshark that are fully described, the other four that remain to be mentioned are:
- Pristiophorus nudipinnis, or Southern Sawshark
- Pristiophorus japonicus, Japanese Sawshark
- Pristiophorus delicatus, better known as the Western Sawshark
- Pliotrema warreni, or Sixgilled Sawshark
Squaliformes Sharks
In the case of the order of the squaliformes, we can find that it is made up of around 100 different species of shark. One of the main characteristics of the animals belonging to this order is that they have five pairs of gill openings or gills, and they also have five spiracles, which are different holes that are closely related to the respiratory system of sharks. In turn, sharks of this species do not have a nictitating membrane or third eyelid, nor do they have an anal fin.
To mention some species of this order, we can find bramble sharks in almost all the planet's oceans, scientifically named as Echinorhinus brucus, although they are also named in many regions as nail fish. Currently there is not much information about the biology of these fish; however, everything indicates that this species lives in the depths of the sea, which range between 400 and 900 meters, although many of these fish have also been found much closer to the surface.
It is important to note that bramble sharks are animals that can reach a total length of up to three meters and because of this large size they are also usually quite slow animals. In turn, the way of reproduction of the bramble sharks, like the previously mentioned species, is ovoviviparous.
Another shark belonging to the order of the squaliformes, is the fish known as the spiny sea pig, or the spiny puppy fish. These beautiful fish are scientifically named Oxynotus bruniensis; They are distributed mainly in the waters of South Australia and South New Zealand, in India and also in the Southwest Pacific. These sharks have been observed in quite deep waters and also quite close to the surface, it is insinuated that the depth range where they live ranges between 45 and 1.067 meters.
However, these animals are quite small, as they barely reach a total length that ranges between 73 and 77 centimeters. Like the previous species, these are ovoviviparous, but they are also placental with oophagy. Among the other species that exist of squaliformes sharks we could find some such as:
- Squaliolus aliae, or Little-eyed Pygmy Tollo
- Aculeola nigra, or Quelvacho blight
- Scymnodalatis albicauda, better known as White-tailed Witch
- Mollisquama parini, or Soft Dogfish
- Miroscyllium sheikoi, or known as the Screech-Tooth Tollo
- Zameus Ichiharai, Japanese Witch
- Centroscyllium fabricii, or Black Tollo
- Centroscymnus plunketi, or Plunket Shark
Carcharhiniformes Sharks
Within this order, at least 200 different species of sharks are included, many of these are quite well known, such as the Sphyrna lewini, or by its first name, Hammerhead shark. Contrary to the squaliformes sharks, the sharks belonging to this order do have an anal fin; In addition to this, one of the main characteristics of this order is that the nose is completely flat, a fairly wide mouth that even exceeds the limit of the eyes, the lower eyelid of these sharks plays a role of nictitating membrane, in addition, in its apparatus digestive have a spiral intestinal valve.
One of the carcharhiniform shark species that we can find is the tiger shark, or scientifically known as Galeocerdo cuvier; This is one of the most famous species of shark that exists, even, together with its relatives, the white shark and the bull shark, these three species are the ones that register the most attacks.
It is well known that tiger sharks usually live in oceans and also in seas with quite tropical or temperate temperatures, around the entire planet. These are found above the continental shelf and reefs; It should also be noted that, like many species mentioned above, the way this species reproduces is ovoviviparous with oophagy.
Another species belonging to the order of the carcharhiniformes, is the dogfish or Galeorhinus galeus, these animals normally inhabit the waters of Western Europe, Western Africa, South America, the southern part of Australia and also the west coast of the United States of America. .
These fish will always prefer to spend in shallow areas; In turn, their form of reproduction is placental viviparous and they can have litters that range between 20 and 35 pups. These sharks are quite small compared to other species, they can barely reach a total length of between 120 and 135 centimeters. Among the other species of carcharhiniformes sharks we can find:
- Hemipristis elongata, or Elongated Galeus
- Chaenogaleus macrostoma, Harpoon-toothed Galeus
- Hemigaleus microstoma, or Crescent Galeus
- Scylliogaleus quecketti, Tooth-toothed Tollo
- Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, Gray shark
- Ctenacis fehlmann, or Harlequin Horned Tollo
- Leptocharias smithii, Bearded Shark
- Carcharhinus borneensis, Borneo Shark
- Carcharhinus albimarginatus, or Whitetip Shark
- Carcharhinus perezi, Caribbean Reef Shark
- Carcharhinus cautus, or known as Nervous Shark
Lamniform Sharks
The main characteristics of lamniform sharks is that they have an anal fin and also two dorsal fins. In turn, these do not have nictitating eyelids, but they also have five gill slits and spiracles. The vast majority of the species that make up this order have an elongated snout and the opening of their mouth reaches behind their own eyes. It should be noted that the intestinal valve of these fish has a ring shape.
Among the species of lamniform sharks we find some such as the unique goblin shark, or scientifically called Mitsukurina owstoni. These sharks are distributed around the entire planet, however, it is in a patchy way, which means that they are not distributed in equal parts. In fact, it is quite possible that this species can be observed in many more places, however, the data comes from different accidental captures in fishing nets.
It is known that these usually live in waters with a depth that can range between 0 and 1.300 meters, and these are also quite large sharks, since they can reach a total length of up to six meters. Unfortunately, to this day the exact type of reproduction they have is not known, and not much is known about their biology.
On the other hand, we can also find the basking shark, or also called Cetorhinus maximus; Unlike the vast majority of sharks of this order, basking sharks are not large predators, this is a large species and is preferably kept in colder waters, these beautiful sharks are filter feeders. In turn, these sharks are migratory, and for this reason they are widely distributed around all the oceans and all the seas of the planet.
Unfortunately, populations of basking sharks in the North Pacific and Northwest Atlantic are in serious danger of extinction. Within the group of lamniform sharks we can find another great variety of these, here we can find species such as:
- Megachasma pelagios, or Greatmouth Shark
- Carcharodon carcharias, or better known as White Shark
- Alopias superciliosus, or Bigeye or Black Fox
- Pseudochararias kamoharai, Crocodile shark
- Alopias pelagicus, Pelagic Fox
- Isurus oxyrinchus, better known as Mako shark
- Carcharias tricuspidatus, Bambaco bull
- Carcharias Taurus, or Bull Shark
Orectolobiform Sharks
Sharks belonging to the orectolobiformes order are characterized by being animals that prefer to live in warm waters or tropical waters. In turn, one of its characteristics is that they have an anal fin, two spineless dorsal fins, a fairly small mouth compared to its large body, they also have nostrils (quite similar to nostrils) that are connected to the mouth, and lastly a rather short snout just in front of its eyes. It is estimated that there are at least 33 different species of orectolobiform sharks
Within this order we can find quite famous species, among these we find the whale shark, or scientifically called Rhincodon typus; Whale sharks usually live in tropical, subtropical and warm seas, including the Mediterranean Sea. The depth range where they live ranges between the surface and 2.000 meters. Their average size is approximately 20 meters, and they can weigh up to 42 tons.
Throughout the life of whale sharks they feed on different prey, these prey are totally determined by the growth stage in which this shark is. Likewise, as it grows, the larger its food should be.
In turn, we can also find the carpet shark, or also called Orectolobus halei; These beautiful sharks are distributed especially along the entire southern coast of Australia. It is also important to note that they live in shallow depths, as they are easily visible at depths ranging between 150 and 200 meters.
Normally, these sharks live near coral reefs, or in different rocky areas, because in these areas they can camouflage with great ease. These fish are nocturnal animals, at night is when they leave their shelter to find their food. It is important to mention that the type of reproduction they have is viviparous with oophagy. Among the other species of orectolobiformes sharks, we find some such as:
- Chiloscyllium griseum, or Gray Long-tailed Dogfish
- Parascyllium ferrugineum, or known as the Rusty Carpet Shark
- Chiloscyllium arabicum, Arabian long-tailed catshark
- Cirrhoscyllium expolitum, or False bearded catshark
- Brachaelurus waddi, Blind Shark
- Stegostoma fasciatum, Zebra shark
- Nebrius ferrugineus, Tawny Nurse Shark
Heterodontiform Sharks
In the case of sharks of the heterodontiformes order, we can find fairly small animals, they have a spine on the dorsal fin, and also an anal fin. They do not have a nictitating membrane and just above their eyes they have a crest. Like many of the species mentioned above, these sharks have five gill slits, three of which are located above the pectoral fins.
In turn, the sharks belonging to this order have two different types of teeth, those found in the front part are sharp and conical, on the other hand, the rear ones are flat and quite wide, which helps them in Great for grinding your food. It is also important to mention that its type of reproduction is oviparous.
Within the order of Heterodontiformes, there are nine different species, one of the most famous that we can find is the horn shark, or scientifically called Heterodontus francisci; These sharks mainly inhabit the southern coast of California, although they can also be easily seen on different coasts of Mexico. The depth range that these sharks have is approximately between 2 and 250 meters, however, it is much more common to see them at a maximum depth between 2 and 11 meters.
On the other hand, we can also highlight the Port Jackson shark, or called Heterodontus portusjacksoni; this species lives mainly in the waters of southern Australia and also in Tanzania. Like all shark species belonging to this order, Port Jackson sharks live in shallow waters, that is, the maximum depth to which these sharks are subjected is approximately 275 meters.
This species is also nocturnal, and during the day they remain completely camouflaged in different rocky areas or on reefs. These sharks reach a maximum length that ranges between 150 and 165 centimeters. Among the other species of heterodontiform sharks, we find some such as:
- Heterodontus omanensis, or Oman Horned Shark
- Heterodontus quoyi, Galapagos Great Horned Shark
- Heterodontus mexicanus, or Mexican Horned Shark
- Heterodontus galeatus, Great Horned Shark
- Heterodontus japonicus, or Japanese Horned Shark
- Heterodontus zebra, Zebra horned shark
- Heterodontus ramalheira, or African Horned Shark
Hexanchiformes Sharks
Finally, we find the sharks of the order hexanchiformes. Within this order are the most primitive species of living sharks, which are only six different. Mainly, these are characterized by having a single dorsal fin with a spine, they do not have any nictitating membrane, and they can also have between six and seven gill holes or openings.
Within the hexanchiformes shark species, we find the eel or chlamys shark, also called Chlamydoselachus anguineus; These beautiful sharks usually live mainly in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, they are also distributed in a quite heterogeneous way. The depth range in which these are found ranges between 50 and 1.500 meters. These are a kind of viviparous animal and the gestation of their fetus can last between one and two years.
On the other hand, we also find the cow shark with big eyes, or scientifically called Hexanchus nakamurai; these sharks are widely distributed throughout all temperate to warm seas and oceans, however, like shark eels, bigeyed cow sharks are fairly heterogeneously distributed.
It is important to mention that these sharks are a deep-sea species, since they usually pass at depths that range between 90 and 620 meters. They can reach a maximum length of 180 centimeters; also, the type of reproduction of these sharks is ovoviviparous, and for each litter they can lay between 13 and 26 offspring. The rest of the species belonging to this order are the following:
- Hexanchus griseus, Peinetas shark or gray boot shark
- Chlamydoselachus africana, South African eel shark
- Heptranchias perlo, or Sevengill Shark
- Notorynchus cepedianus, Spotted Shark or Shortnose Cow Shark
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