Order LAMNIFORMES
Mackerel sharks
Typical sharks with 2 spineless dorsal fins, an anal fin, 5
pairs of gill slits on sides of head, no movable nictitating
eyelid, mouth long and extending behind eyes. Spiral valve
in intestine of ring type , with close-packed turns and a
central opening, resembling a stack of washers. Livebearing; some and possibly all species with uterine cannibalism, i.e. developing young eat fertilised eggs and
younger embryos while inside the mother. Adults 74 cm to
possibly 15 m, most large and reaching at least 3 m. Inshore,
oceanic, and deep-water benthic sharks found in all seas,
with a fringe distribution in the Antarctic and Arctic
oceans. Seven families (6 in our area), with 10 genera and 15
or 16 species.
Family No. 14: LAMNIDAE
by A.J. Bass
Mackerel sharks
Haringhaaie
Fast pelagic sharks with lunate caudal fins. Caudal
peduncle flattened with marked lateral keels. Teeth large;
lanceolate or serrated. No nictitans. Pectoral origin behind
last gill slit. No dorsal fin spines. Anal and second dorsal
fins minute in size compared to first dorsal. Distinct upper
and lower precaudal pits. Three genera with 5 or more
species, 4 found in our area.
14.1 Carcharodon carcharias: 177 em immature female (Natal). N & T as in 2.1 .
98
Haringhaaie
KEY TO GENERA
la C with a short secondary keel on each side below
primary keel of C peduncle; A origin clearly in front of
2nd D axil , usually about under 2nd D origin .. .. .. .. ... ......... Lamna
1 b C without keels except that of C peduncle; A origin
under or behind 2nd D axil ........................................ .. ... ..... 2
2a First D origin in front of P inner corner; teeth
either flattened with serrated edges or (in sharks of less
than 150 cm) a few of the teeth lanceolate with small
basal denticles ....... .. ......... ... ..... .... ... ............... ... Carcharodon
2b First D origin behind or over P inner corner; teeth
lanceolate, without small basal denticles ........................... Isurus
Genus Carcharodon Smith, 1849
One worldwide species.
14.1 Carcharodon carcharias
(Linnaeus, 1758)
PLATE 1
Great white shark
Witdoodshaai
Squalus carcharias Linnaeus, 1758: 235 (Europe). Carcharodon capensis Smith, 1849: PI. 4 (Cape Seas). Carcharodon carcharias: Smith, SFSA
No. 26*; Smith & Smith, 1966: 24*; Bass et aI., 1975: 22*; van der Elst,
1981: 48*.
Snout relatively short as compared to Isurus species. Adults with large,
triangular serrated teeth, but juveniles of less than 150 cm may have some
teeth lanceolate and smooth-edged with basal denticles. Precaudal vertebrae 100-108.
Mackerel sharks
Typical sharks with 2 spineless dorsal fins, an anal fin, 5
pairs of gill slits on sides of head, no movable nictitating
eyelid, mouth long and extending behind eyes. Spiral valve
in intestine of ring type , with close-packed turns and a
central opening, resembling a stack of washers. Livebearing; some and possibly all species with uterine cannibalism, i.e. developing young eat fertilised eggs and
younger embryos while inside the mother. Adults 74 cm to
possibly 15 m, most large and reaching at least 3 m. Inshore,
oceanic, and deep-water benthic sharks found in all seas,
with a fringe distribution in the Antarctic and Arctic
oceans. Seven families (6 in our area), with 10 genera and 15
or 16 species.
Family No. 14: LAMNIDAE
by A.J. Bass
Mackerel sharks
Haringhaaie
Fast pelagic sharks with lunate caudal fins. Caudal
peduncle flattened with marked lateral keels. Teeth large;
lanceolate or serrated. No nictitans. Pectoral origin behind
last gill slit. No dorsal fin spines. Anal and second dorsal
fins minute in size compared to first dorsal. Distinct upper
and lower precaudal pits. Three genera with 5 or more
species, 4 found in our area.
14.1 Carcharodon carcharias: 177 em immature female (Natal). N & T as in 2.1 .
98
Haringhaaie
KEY TO GENERA
la C with a short secondary keel on each side below
primary keel of C peduncle; A origin clearly in front of
2nd D axil , usually about under 2nd D origin .. .. .. .. ... ......... Lamna
1 b C without keels except that of C peduncle; A origin
under or behind 2nd D axil ........................................ .. ... ..... 2
2a First D origin in front of P inner corner; teeth
either flattened with serrated edges or (in sharks of less
than 150 cm) a few of the teeth lanceolate with small
basal denticles ....... .. ......... ... ..... .... ... ............... ... Carcharodon
2b First D origin behind or over P inner corner; teeth
lanceolate, without small basal denticles ........................... Isurus
Genus Carcharodon Smith, 1849
One worldwide species.
14.1 Carcharodon carcharias
(Linnaeus, 1758)
PLATE 1
Great white shark
Witdoodshaai
Squalus carcharias Linnaeus, 1758: 235 (Europe). Carcharodon capensis Smith, 1849: PI. 4 (Cape Seas). Carcharodon carcharias: Smith, SFSA
No. 26*; Smith & Smith, 1966: 24*; Bass et aI., 1975: 22*; van der Elst,
1981: 48*.
Snout relatively short as compared to Isurus species. Adults with large,
triangular serrated teeth, but juveniles of less than 150 cm may have some
teeth lanceolate and smooth-edged with basal denticles. Precaudal vertebrae 100-108.