Carcharodon
| Carcharodon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Great white shark, (Carcharodon carcharias) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Lamniformes |
| Family: | Lamnidae |
| Genus: | Carcharodon A. Smith, 1838 |
Carcharodon is a genus of sharks within the family Lamnidae. The only extant member of the genus is the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Extinct members of the genus include Carcharodon caifassii and Carcharodon hubbelli. Carcharocles megalodon is still argued by some paleontologists (e.g. Michael D. Gottfried and Robert Ewan Fordyce) to be a close relative of Carcharodon carcharias.[1][2] The megalodon's scientific name was originally 'Carcharodon' megalodon.
The name of the genus comes from the Greek for “sharp/jagged tooth”. A genus of carnivorous dinosaur, with similarly-shaped teeth to Carcharodon sharks was given the name Carcharodontosaurus.
Anatomy
Body
Sharks belonging to the family charcharadon share a cacophony of similar physical traits. Their snouts will resemble a cone shape and their bodies will appear stout rather than thin and streamlined.
Teeth
Though their teeth may come in many different sizes they do share a common shape; wide roots, sharp serrated edges, and triangle shaped.
Senses
These sharks have a sensory array that allows them to precisely locate food in their watery domain.
Smell
Possessing a keen sense of smell some sharks can detect, as little as, one part blood or urine in one million parts water. By moving their head side to side as they swim sharks can pinpoint their preys location with "directional" nostrils, by smelling the water in different directions to determine where the scent is strongest. [3]
Sight
Species of Charcharadon do possess acute visual prowess. Through genetic adaptation some species have developed a special tissue, tapetum lucidum, that reflects light allowing for better vision in dark waters. [4] Though not common Great White Sharks, Charcharadon carcharias, have been observed "spy-hopping".
Electroreception
Sharks have small jelly-filled pores called the ampullae of Lorenzini. These ampullae of Lorenzini can detect the electromagnetic field that all animals give off. These help the shark to find prey by homing in on even the slightest flutter of a fish's heart in their range.[5]
A second form of electroreception is the sharks lateral line. While it is found in most fish, it helps the shark to detect prey by utilizing the vibrations in the water caused by floundering or injured prey.
References
- ↑ "Carcharodon hubbelli a.k.a. Hubbell's white shark". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
- ↑ Ehret, D.J.; et al. (November 2012). "Origin of the white shark Carcharodon (Lamniformes: Lamnidae) based on recalibration of the Upper Neogene Pisco Formation of Peru". Palaeontology. 55 (6): 1139–1153. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01201.x.
- ↑ Martin, G. Neil (2013-06-19). "The Neuropsychology of Smell and Taste". doi:10.4324/9780203070147.
- ↑ http://www.mindcomet.com, MindComet, Inc. -. "Senses". seaworld.org. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
- ↑ Kalmijn, A. (1982-11-26). "Electric and magnetic field detection in elasmobranch fishes". Science. 218 (4575): 916–918. doi:10.1126/science.7134985. ISSN 0036-8075.