Odontaspididae Sand Tiger Sharks Greek: odous = tooth/teeth, aspidos = wide shield

Diagnostic Features Moderately stout Head shorter than trunk Gill openings moderately large but does not extend to surface of the head Gills anterior to pectoral origin Grow up to 3.6 m No gillrakers Large teeth First dorsal large Second dorsal and anals almost as large as first Caudal: upper lobe long, lower lobe short but strong, precaudal pit

Teeth Structure Front teeth narrow, sharp, and pointy Side teeth compressed and blade-like Less than 60 rows in either jaw

Habitat and Distribution Tropical to Cool-temperate Inshore and Deepwater EVERYWHERE Surf-zone to Outer shelf Down slopes up to 1600 m

Reproduction Ovoviviparous Non yolk-sac placenta Intrauterine cannibalism Only two pups birthed every two years Gestation: 9 months Carcharius taurus embryo

Food Teleosts Smaller sharks Rays Squid Bottom crustaceans

Genera Eugomphodus/Carcharias Odontaspis

Eugomphodus/Carcharias Small eyes Short, flattened snout Back teeth differentiated from side teeth, molariform Second dorsal as large as first First dorsal base closer to pelvic bases Anal fin as large or larger than dorsals Carcharias taurus, C. tricuspidatus

Red-list: –C. taurus: vunerable –C. tricuspidatus: data deficient Human Interaction –Regularly caught in fisheries –Eaten in Japan, Pacific, and Britain –Fishmeal, liver oil, meat market, sharkfin soup

Odontaspis Moderate sized eyes Long and conical snout Back teeth grade into side teeth, not molariform Second dorsal half size of first First dorsal base closer to pectoral bases Anal smaller than second dorsal Odontaspis ferox, O. noronhai

Red-list: –O. ferox: vulnerable –O. noronhai: data deficient Human Interaction –No regular interaction –Eaten if caught

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