| Mackerel sharks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Selachii |
| Order: | Lamniformes |
| Family: | Lamnidae J. P. Müller andHenle, 1838 |
| Extant genera | |
| |
TheLamnidae are thefamily ofmackerel sharks known aswhite sharks.[2] They are large, fast-swimmingpredatory fish found in oceans worldwide, though they prefer environments with colder water. The name of the family is formed from theGreek wordlamna, which means "fish of prey", and was derived from theGreeklegendary creature, theLamia.[3]
These sharks have pointed snouts, spindle-shaped bodies, and largegill openings. The firstdorsal fin is large, high, stiff and angular or somewhat rounded. The second dorsal andanal fins are minute. Thecaudal peduncle has a couple of less distinct keels. The teeth are gigantic. The fifth gill opening is in front of thepectoral fin and spiracles are sometimes absent. They are powerful, heavily builtsharks, sometimes weighing nearly twice as much as other sharks of comparable length from other families. Many sharks in the family are among the fastest-swimming fish, although the massivegreat white shark is slower due to its large size.
The family contains five living species in three genera and these selected extinct genera and species:[1]
