Family ALOPIIDAE

Alopiidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

The family Alopiidae is represented by only one genus and three extant species found throughout the world in tropical and temperate waters. All are known from Australia (Last & Stevens 1994, 2009).

Thresher sharks are strong-swimming sharks generally found in oceanic environments in depths to 500 m, but they have been seen close to coastal areas. All are distinctive in having an elongate caudal fin that is often as long as the rest of the body. All species prey largely on fishes and squid. They are ovoviviparous and reach a maximum size of between 5.5 and 6 m.

Compagno (1984, 1998, 2001) summarised much of the knowledge of the taxonomy and biology of the thresher sharks.

General References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Rome : FAO Vol. 4(1) pp. 1-249.

Compagno, L.J.V. 1998. Families Pseudocarchariidae, Alopiidae, Lamnidae. pp. 1268-1278 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 687-1396 pp.

Compagno, L.J.V. 2001. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). Rome : FAO, FAO Species Catalogue for Fisheries Purposes No. 1 Vol. 2 269 pp.

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls.

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Australia 2, 550 pp. [166]

Common Name References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Rome : FAO Vol. 4(1) pp. 1-249. [228] (FAO) (Thresher Sharks)

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