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THE SAND SHARKS. FAMILY CARCHARIIDAE


Table of Contents

Outstanding characteristics of the sand sharks are that they have an anal fin; the two dorsal fins are without spines and are nearly equal in size; the rear end of the base of the first dorsal is over or in front of the origin of the pelvic fins; the anal fin is about as large as the dorsals; the upper lobe of the caudal fin is much longer than the lower, but occupies not more than one-third of the total length of the fish; there are no lateral keels on the caudal peduncle; the fifth gill openings are farther forward than the origins of the pectoral fins; and the teeth are slender and sharp-pointed.