Family TRIAKIDAE

Triakidae

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Introduction

Currently, this marine group of about nine genera and 43 species is recognised from tropical and subtropical regions of the world's oceans (Last & Stevens 1994, 2009). Ten species in six genera are known from Australia and one additional species from Norfolk Island. World species are treated by Compagno et al. (2005).

Many triakids are widespread and occur in several oceans. They range in size as adults from about 1 to at least 2 m.

Previously this family was included with the Carcharhinidae, but Compagno (1984) divided the group into the families Carcharhinidae, Hemigaleidae and Triakidae; he also treated many of the species that are found in Australia. Compagno (1970, 1973) and Compagno & Niem (1998) treated relationships of several genera in the family and Stead (1963) summarised information on the biology of Australian species.

Records of Triakis scyllium from Australia were probably based on misidentifications of another shark species, as T. scyllium is known only from the north-west Pacific.

General References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1970. Systematics of the genus Hemitriakis (Selachii : Carcharhinidae), and related genera. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 38(4): 63-98 figs 1-8

Compagno, L.J.V. 1973. Interrelationships of living elasmobranchs. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 53(suppl. 1): 15-61 pls 1-2

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Rome : FAO Vol. 4(2) 251-655 pp.

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

Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Family Triakidae. pp. 1297-1304 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.

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.

Stead, D.G. 1963. Sharks and Rays of Australian Seas. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 211 pp. 63 figs.

Common Name References

Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Family Triakidae. pp. 1297-1304 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. [1297] (FAO) (Houndsharks, Smoothhounds, Topes)

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls. [205] (Hound Sharks)

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