| Houndsharks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Selachii |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Suborder: | Carcharhinoidei |
| Family: | Triakidae J. E. Gray, 1851 |
| Subfamilies and genera[1] | |
see text | |
TheTriakidae orhoundsharks are afamily ofground sharks, consisting of about 40species in ninegenera. In some classifications, the family is split into twosubfamilies, with the generaMustelus,Scylliogaleus andTriakis in the subfamilyTriakinae, and the remainders in the subfamilyGaleorhininae.
Houndsharks are distinguished by possessing two large, spinelessdorsal fins, ananal fin and oval eyes withnictitating eyelids. They are small to medium in size, ranging from 37 to 220 cm (1.21 to 7.22 ft) in adult length. They are found throughout the world in warm and temperate waters, where they feed on small fish and invertebrates on the seabed and in midwater.[2]
Fossil records of this group date back to theCenomanian.[3]
Houndsharks are classified into subfamilies and genera as follows:[1]
The following fossil genera are also known:[4]
