Family HEMIGALEIDAE

Hemigaleidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

The Hemigaleidae comprise four genera and eight species worldwide, with two genera and two species known from Australia (Last & Stevens 1994, 2009). Weasel sharks are found in the Indo-west Pacific, largely in coastal areas extending to the continental shelf. They vary in size from 1–2 m in length. The family was previously included within the Carcharhinidae, but hemigaleids differ in internal anatomy. Compagno (1998) and Compagno et al. (2005) treated the family, including Australian species.

General References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1998. Family Hemigaleidae. pp. 1305-1311 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., Dando, M. & Fowler, S. 2005. A Field Guide to the Sharks of the World. London : Collins 368 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.

Common Name References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1998. Family Hemigaleidae. pp. 1305-1311 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. [1305] (FAO) (Weasel Sharks)

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