9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
Silky shark
9.7 Carcharhinus falciformis
(Bibron, 1839)
Syhaai
Carcharias (Prionodon) falciformis Bibron, in Miiller & Henle, 1839:
47 (Cuba). Carcharhinus falciformis: Bass et aI. , 1973: 29* ; Garrick, 1982:
159* .
Interdorsal ridge present. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips . First
D origin behind inner P corner; and 2nd D with distinctive long lobes .
16-2-16
Teeth 16-1-16' Upper teeth moderately broad, somewhat oblique with
a strong lateral notch. Precaudal vertebrae 98-106.
In our area, litter of 9-14 pups, born at about 80-85 cm;
attains 3 m. An oceanic warm-water species of all major
oceans, also found over continential shelf areas. Recorded
from Madagascar and from Zanzibar to Durban. Feeds inshore as well as in deep water, and could be dangerous to
man.
N
9.7 Carcharhinus falciformis: 94 em male (S. Mozambique). N & T as in 2 .1.
N
9.8 Carcharhinus galapagensis
(Snodgrass & Heller, 1905)
Galapagos shark
Galapagoshaai
Carcharias galapagensis Snodgrass & Heller, 1905: 343 (Galapagos
Islands). Carcharhinus galapagensis: Bass et aI., 1973: 32*; Smith, 1975:
10; Garrick, 1982: 126* .
Interdorsal ridge present. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips.
14-1-14
Teeth 14-1-14' Upper teeth with broad triangular cusps. C. obscurus
and C. galapagensis are difficult to distinguish, but C. galapagensis has a
taller 1st D (11.2% or more of total length) compared to C. obscurus (less
than 11.2% ). Vertebral counts give a positive identification - precaudal
numbers are 103-109 in C. galapagensis and 86-97 in C. obscurus.
Litter of 6-16 pups, born at 70-80cm; attains about 2.7 m,
possibly more. Tends to feed near the bottom, but will take
baits at the surface; suspected in at least one fatal attack. A
circumglobal, warm-water species associated with oceanic
islands; in our area known only from Walters Shoal south of
Madagascar.
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9.8 Carcharhinus galapagensis: 114 em female (south of Madagascar). N & T as in 2.1.
72